Why do vertical smokers need a water pan?

In a vertical smoker like the Weber Smokey Mountain, where the water is directly above the coals, the water will never go higher than the boiling point, 212°F. … 3) A water pan can block direct flame when you need to cook with indirect heat. 4) A water pan becomes a single radiating surface and evens out hot spots.

Why do vertical smokers have a water pan?

The humid environment inside the smoker helps keep the meat from drying out. The water pan also catches the drippings from the meat, keeping them off of the heating element, and adding aroma to the evaporating liquid.

Should I put a water pan in my smoker?

Most barbecuing in the Weber smoker is done with the water pan in place. You should use the water pan when cooking with the indirect method, regardless of how hot you run the cooker or what you do or do not put into the water pan. You should not use the water pan when cooking with the direct method over hot coals.

Can you smoke without water pan?

I do know that the bullet type water pan smokers work the best with the water pan, but could be too without water pan as meat is much closer to coals. … If you want faster smokes, then no water, but you have to spray the meat once the meat starts to brown or the fat can catch fire.

Do I need a water pan when smoking brisket?

Positioning the brisket on your smoker

Aaron recommends placing the brisket on the smoker fat side up. … The extra fat will help insulate it. The flat end of the brisket should be closer to the smoke stack. Always use a water pan to help keep moisture in the cooking chamber and avoid burning.

Do you need a water pan when smoking ribs?

You should indeed use a water pan when smoking ribs. This will help to regulate the temperature of the grill as well as protect your meat from the direct heat of the flames. However, most importantly, it will make your ribs wonderfully sticky and help improve the smoking process.

Do you use a water pan when smoking pork shoulder?

Anytime you are trying to cook at a constant, steady, low temperature for a long period is the ideal time to use a water pan. It doesn’t matter what type of food you’re cooking, whether it be ribs, pork shoulder, brisket, prime rib, etc.

Why do you put water in a smoker?

Water helps increase the humidity of your smoker:

Some of the water vapor condenses onto the meat, helping to cool it down while it cooks. The longer cook time allows for more connective tissue and fats to break down, providing a more tender and moist product.

How do you keep meat from drying out when smoking?

Where does the water pan go in a vertical smoker?

A water pan goes above the heat source. If using a charcoal grill or charcoal/wood smoker, this pan would be placed above the coal area. Have an electric unit and you’ll find the pan over the electric heating element. If you want to introduce a water pan on an LP/Gas Grill, this would be placed over the lit burners.

Do I need to add water to my electric smoker?

Water can be used to help in smoker temperature control. If it’s cold outside, you can add hot or boiling water to the pan, and that will help the smoker come up to temperature quicker. … Water in the pan adds humidity to the smoke chamber, and helps in keeping the surface of the meat from drying out.

How do you use a vertical smoker?

Now we’re gonna load up the smoker box with our chips poultry. And pork more suited to your fruitier