Next time I do butts, I'll have to try it with a drip pan and see if I can taste a difference. All I can say at this point is that after doing probably 30-40 butts, a half dozen turkeys, etc. on the drum with drippings hitting the coals (I've never had an issue with it affecting my fire), I love the flavor I'm getting. In fact, my drum has pretty much relegated my MES to cheese, jerky, and venison bacon duty. :)
And burning of the meat hasn't been an issue for me at all. The one time I did butts without foiling, the additional shrinkage was noticeable and the outside was fairly dry, but never any charring issues . . .
I have two drums, so maybe I'll do a direct comparison and run a couple butts on one of them with a drip pan and the other without. Nothing like fabricating an excuse to fire up some BBQ!!!
And burning of the meat hasn't been an issue for me at all. The one time I did butts without foiling, the additional shrinkage was noticeable and the outside was fairly dry, but never any charring issues . . .
I have two drums, so maybe I'll do a direct comparison and run a couple butts on one of them with a drip pan and the other without. Nothing like fabricating an excuse to fire up some BBQ!!!