WSM 18 and Flame Boss 300 issues...

[binarypaladin]

I've had a Flame Boss 300 for about a year. Using it with an SNS and a 22" kettle is about the most braindead experience there is in the charcoal BBQ world. The temperature holds within a couple degrees and all is well.

A couple months ago I picked up a WSM 18, mainly for capacity. I've done a few test cooks with okay results, but holding a consistent temperature has been a lot more work than I expected. Also, it eats way more fuel than my kettle. (I guess that's to be expected given then higher volume.)

Today, I did three racks of ribs hung on one site kinda like a drum smoker. I used the SNS charcoal basket for an indirect side so the cook was less like something like a PBC and more of a standard low and slow cook. (Pictures attached.)



Check this out: https://myflameboss.com/cooks/344663

(The big drop was me having to add more fuel. I'm still used to the size and efficiency of kettles.)

Not only is the temperature inconsistent but the fan was running constantly. Is this normal or do I need to adjust how many coals I light initially? (The huge drop is where I added more fuel. That little basket was only good for about two hours.) I'm also wondering where I should attach the probe. In the kettle it's obvious but there's a lot more space in a bullet smoker.

I think, especially in the SNS, airflow might be an issue with briquettes due to the ash. I think I'm gonna try lump charcoal next time. With the Flame Boss, the inconsistencies of lump really aren't an issue.

The ribs (St. Louis, with the Memphis rub and the KC Classic sauce—a killer combo, by the way) did come out very nice. I even turned the rack to cook them more directly over the hot side when baking on the sauce.

(As an aside, I could do at least 5 racks on one side. Plus, and I dunno why, but hanging meat from a hook like that really impresses guests.)

[TBoneJack]

FWIW, I have both an 18 and 22 WSM, and for me the 22 is easier to control at the lower temps (225).

My 18 temps tend to swing a bit more during low and slow, especially when not using water.

[binarypaladin]

I didn't use water and was definitely going low'n slow.

The main issue here is lack of experience with this cooker. I think the key is going to be using it exclusively for rib cooks for a few months. My friends won't complain, lol.

[Troutman]

What temps are you trying to run at? I suspect that's not enough fuel. I usually run a full basket of charcoal using the minion method burning from the center out to the fringes. I typically end up with left over charcoal at the outer edges which I re-use in the next cook. I run a Fireboard with a Pit Viper fan. Here's an example of a pork roast I did over the weekend running at a steady 275* .......




Fan actually ran a little bit more than usual mainly because is was about 43* outside and misty. Again I think you were a bit light on your fuel, try a full tray either using the minion or snake method. Good luck !!

[binarypaladin]

Troutman For these ribs I was aiming for around 250, but dropped it to 225 near the end.

Fuel is likely the biggest issue. I've only done a couple cooks on the WSM and I'm probably treating it too much like a kettle. I don't really have a solid lighting method when using the Flame Boss because, at least in the kettles, it pretty much corrects things. It's looking like this is definitely not the case with a bigger smoker.

For the hanging ribs, since I am doing this more for capacity than for a PBC experience, I have to have an indirect side. Looks like the first step is just lighting more fuel to start or to just plan on replenishing it more often since I can't just fill the bottom and walk away.

I wonder if it would be worth while to add some ceramic briquettes to the bottom to retain more heat, especially since I've ditched the water pan.

[JGo37]

Or fireplace brick. That's a good idea. If you're going to do this a lot I'd be tempted to custom cut some paving stone to fill opposite the SnS.

[binarypaladin]

I have a pizza pan arriving specifically to be cut in order to work as a drip pan next to the SNS, lol. It should work in the WSM and my Jumbo Joe.

Seems like the "best" option would be to get one of those expansion rings and fill the water reservoir with briquettes or something similar. since it would also work as a heat diffuser. I'm sure my wife will be thrilled that I can do so much modding over my coming vacation.