Side light method for Charcoal smokers

[Rings Я Us]

Have to make sure your torch has a tip smaller than the damper holes.

 

[dirtsailor2003]

Case I like the idea, and obviously it works since you've been doing it for over a year, but I would think one side of your cooker would be hotter then the other. Maybe not enough to make a difference.

Chris.

I've been using the side light method for close to 5 years now.

Yes like the snake method or Minion method the area that is lit produces more heat. This is not an issue for low and slow cooks where a diffuser is being used. For hot cooks where I don't use the diffuser I will light through two or three of the lower vents. The heat is then evened out.

 

[dirtsailor2003]

Have to make sure your torch has a tip smaller than the damper holes.

Not really...

 

[Rings Я Us]

Lmao

 

[Rings Я Us]

Today I was in the GFS market looking at prices, I saw some stuff with the lighter fluid made by Sterno. Sterno gel for starting your charcoal that said it has no smell or taste. Must be like Napalm.

 

[fuzz415]

This method works great and I use it in all my charcoal smokers. Similar to the minion method, except you are keeping all the energy from the fuel in the smoker and not loosing any of it by lighting the fuel outside the smoker.

Give the sidelight method a try. Works great with the WSM's and there's no wasting fuel. Had my 14.5" up to smoking temp in less than 10 minutes the other day and it was 14°f outside. For those that have never tried it you are missing out.

1. Fill charcoal ring with fuel and wood. Make sure one hole in ring is aligned with lower vent.

2. Put smoker together

3. Open all vents.

4. Light torch and place in one of lower vents.

5. Run the torch until your pit temp is 25°-30° degrees above your target temp. The pit temp will drop considerably.

6. If the pit temp settles 25° degrees or more below your desired temp fire the torch again. If not let the pit com up by itself.

Slowly close one vent art a time. Always leave your exhaust wide open.

For higher temp smokes (above 300°), I will run the torch in more than one vent.

These were taken last summer:

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• dirtsailor2003
• Jan 9, 2017

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• dirtsailor2003
• Jan 9, 2017

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• dirtsailor2003
• Jan 9, 2017

resurrecting an old thread, just curious, is this method only good for the 14" wsm? I read that his method is primarily used for hot and fast cooks? if doing low and slow, continue to use the trusty ole minion method?

 

[dirtsailor2003]

resurrecting an old thread, just curious, is this method only good for the 14" wsm? I read that his method is primarily used for hot and fast cooks? if doing low and slow, continue to use the trusty ole minion method?

LAte response. I sure do use the side light method with the 18. Also used it with my UDS.

 

[cmayna]

Glad this thread is coming back to life. Tomorrow, I'm going to try this side light method in my WSM18. Case, when you say diffuser, are you referring to the water pan?

 

[dirtsailor2003]

Glad this thread is coming back to life. Tomorrow, I'm going to try this side light method in my WSM18. Case, when you say diffuser, are you referring to the water pan?

yes either the water pan or something in its place acting as a diffuser.