Charcoal Saving Idea

[MadChemist]

Folks,

While I love the way the PBC cooks with ease I was often wondering if there was a way to save some charcoal (since the PBC can't be snuffed out easily) when I was doing shorter cooks (for example salmon tonight). I came up with the idea to buy a stainless steel 3x9 cake ring and use that to reduce the amount of charcoal I need for the shorter cooks (see pic below). So far I've done 6 or 7 shorter cooks (salmon, tri-tip, chicken and even STL style ribs) and it has worked great! Still get more than enough time to cook and the temps run exactly the same (maybe a tad bit lower) than when I use a full basket. The only modification I made was to light only 20 briquettes in the chimney instead of the normal 40. Thanks

[MBMorgan]

Clever! Might have to try that ... btw, the pic isn't visible ...

[MadChemist]

That's strange. I see the pic on my end. Will try and re-upload. Thanks!

[W.A.]

I have used a hoe or two hooks to carefully lift the basket out and placed it into my kettle to snuff out.

[W.A.]

Not my idea. Stole it from many others before me. Also, a cheap pizza pan in the bottom helps with cleanup. I hammer the ridge near the bottom vent flat and add picture hanging wire through some holes drilled in the pan to help lift out the barrel with ashes

[MadChemist]

Heard about that idea. I may move to that one day. Right now I use aluminum foil which allows me to close the ashes up and dispose of them in the trash (once they're totally out).

[JPP]

I tried this out last cook I did. Very convenient... and it cut down on the cleanout of the barrel since there was less ash left on the foil liner... The next day, though, the size of the remaining briqs was smaller than I expected though. They'll work ok in my smokey joe however.

[BBQ Hooligan]

I have my own method of charcoal conservation. For a cook 4 hours or less, I put one layer of coal in the basket, light 40 in the chimney, and carry on. For sub 1 hour cooks, I put 10 unlit in the center of the basket, and pour 40 lit atop it.

[jbeck1986]

This is awesome info! I have been using so much extra charcoal on my tri tip cooks! Thanks

[jecucolo]

Clever! Going to get one if those.

[Huskee]

Thanks for sharing! And welcome to The Pit! We'd love to get an intro from you over in the Introduce Yourself channel when you get a minute. https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/fo...troductions-aa

[Nate]

Welcome from Indiana.... awesome idea!

[MadChemist]

Thanks!

[DWCowles]

Welcome MadChemist

[MadChemist]

Thanks for the welcomes!

[Danjohnston949]

MadChemist, 👍You Have Once Again Proven 👍That Necessity👍 Is the Mother of Invention!👍👍
Eat Well and Prosper! From a Backyard Cremator in Fargo ND, Dan

[MadChemist]

Lol!

[Tim E]

I like it MadChemist. Might give that a go.

[MBMorgan]

FWIW, you might want to move that ring a bit off-center to ensure that meat drippings hit the coals. Otherwise you could be sacrificing that PBC signature smokiness ...

[MadChemist]

Great suggestion! Thanks.

[Bob's BBQ]

This is a great idea. I'm doing salmon tonight and will give it try. Hopefully I'll be able to replace the wife's cake ring before she misses it...............

[MadChemist]

Would love to hear how it goes! Thanks!

[Spinaker]

Great idea!!

[JeffJ]

Ernest applies that concept to his 22 WSM - he sometimes uses the charcoal ring from his 14.5 WSM.

Regardless - it's a clever way to be a charcoal miser.