Briquettes turning grey..

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iconnolly

Newbie
Original poster
Feb 18, 2015
19
10
I've been using a weber kettle for years as a grill only (never smoked before - tomorrows my first on my new WSM!! Cant wait) but i always only put my meat on the grill once the coals had turned grey.

My WSM manual tells me (and the minion method videos ive seen on youtube tell me) that i can put my meat in the smoker before all coals have turned grey.

I'm not questioning the method, but i'm wondering why this is acceptable for smokers and not for grills? Or is it??

Cheers
 
I have never waited for all the coals to turn grey. But then I do not use fluid to start the charcoal. I think that is somewhat a rule if you use fluid to start the fire. Good luck with your smoking. By the way I think you made a good choice.
 
I'm not questioning the method, but i'm wondering why this is acceptable for smokers and not for grills? Or is it??

Cheers
It's a different game. For grilling you (usually) want high heat to sear the food and vaporize the drippings. For smoking you want a controlled temperature, whether it's low and slow or hot and fast. Putting some lit coals in with some unlit allows the burn to happen in a predictable manner over a longer period of time. If you just filled your coal ring with ashed over coals, your wsm would probably hit 500°.
 
For smoking.... You are trying to control the temp around 120-140... for that, you need to put in maybe 6 lit charcoals and a bunch unlit... close the lower inlet down to maybe 1/8" open.... as the temp rises, close more.... if it lowers, open more..... very small adjustments and about 30 minute wait between adjustments.... flavor wood chips or chunks should be added for flavor....
In the search bar, search "minion method" and you can click on "pictures" to see what folks have done.....

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/newsearch?search=minion+method&=Search

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/newsearch?search=minion+method&type=61
 
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