Cast Iron Box or Foil Packet

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flash

Smoking Guru
Original poster
OTBS Member
Mar 30, 2007
5,280
45
Chiefland/Cedar Key, Fl
Was wondering what you prefer for creating smoke. This is actually for a gas grill, but I seem to notice chips catch fire to easily in the CIB, whether they are wet or dry. Does the foil do better, since it is more enclosed?
 
Hmm, my burners are not covered. More solid brass with holes, so flames are right under the CIB, as the box rest right on the burners. Do you position yours differently?
 
I have a heat shield over the burners that also has a grease slot in it that goes to a brass ball valvel drain.. Anyways I just set mine on top of the heat shield.
There is nothing btwn your burner and cooking grate??
What catches the drippings and stops flareups?
 
My cib is a few inches above my burner with nothing inbetween and i find that covering the wood with foil just putting a few small holesin the foil seams to give better results for me.
 
when i do not have the time to smoke i have used single loaf bread pans {gramma's pans} or small disposable alum pans...i soak my chips and wrap in foil and poke holes with a tooth pick..works fine..use this on my charbroil when grilling chicken or steaks for mild smoke my kids will eat...
 
Uniflame Gold. Got it at Wal-Mart. Its a good unit. Part of the reason I purchased it was the distance between grates and burners, due to flare ups. Most grills I saw had the grates way to close to burners. I usually lay the CIB across two of the burners, but I may try to lay them between the two burners instead and see if that works better.
 
Personally, I find the cib too small. I like to use an old coffee can I have cut down. I prefer to use chunks rather than chips and the cib is just too small. I use the coffe can in my smoker and in the grill.
 
i use a cib, put directly on the coals.........now in my verticle propane smoker, i put the tray right on top of the burner,,,,,,werks well so far, these many years........i also don't put the lid on, i leave it open, so chunks fit fine.........if i am going to use a small amount of chips, like say for a cold smoke, i use a small coffee can cut down........the thinner metal heats up quicker, when using lower temps
 
I have used it before and thats where I put it and worked fine...you may have to preheat your grill a little longer but it should work. I believe in an earlier post someone also said they put theirs on the grate. Try it and let me know what you think. I have used the foil before, and for ease of use I prefer the CIB.
 
Interesting. I always thru wood right on the coals of my smoker. I wouldn't figure setting on the grate, that far from the fire, theyw ould combust or smolder?
Can always give it a try.
PDT_Armataz_01_34.gif
 
I used a CIB right on the coals of my grill when I smoked my first brisket last weekend and it seemed to work great.  I plan to continue to tinker with my techniques as I progress to smoking other cuts.
 
Interesting. I always thru wood right on the coals of my smoker. I wouldn't figure setting on the grate, that far from the fire, theyw ould combust or smolder?
Can always give it a try.
PDT_Armataz_01_34.gif
Just remember wood can't burst into flames if the oxygen is limited....i.e with some small pokes in the foil, but can with the larger holes of the smoke box.
 
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