a little ash blew around

[Richard Chrz]

I set up my 22wsm last night to start a smoke on a few pork shoulders that I am giving to an area firehouse as a general "thank you" for being a firefighter. (my neighbor is a lieutenant at this particular house). But, I ran it pretty low last night (not on purpose) I went to bed it was around 210, I felt it would like crawl up to 220 while sleeping. When I woke up it was at 200, not my ideal by any means, but, more strangely I saw little flakes of ash as high up as the meat and a bit of it on the pork. It blew off with just a light puff across it. But, I have never had the the ash particles blow around It is a standard set up, with factory door still, top vent was wide open, bottom vents were pretty closed, but certainly not choked off, the door always leaks like a sieve, and I had a nice light smoke coming out. I am pretty confident it is going to taste great still, but, of course something new happens when you are giving away the food. Here are photos I just took from the 11 hour mark. Puzzled on the light ash floating? could it be the direction my door was facing (more towards the wind side? I always start with a clean cooker. (updated photo 14 hours in.)

[Ahumadora]

Dont sweat it too much. Could have been a gust of wind. A little ash wont hurt anything.

[Richard Chrz]

I am guessing it wont either. I really can not see any sign of ash in the bark, or any "soot" in the bark. I did a medium mist across all the meat just to spray down anything I did not see. I am guessing it was some sort of gusting as well, and the direction my door may have been facing.

[Mr. Bones]

Yup.
Wind.
Spritz a smidge, an ash becometh "Bark"
Mighty admirable, what yer doin, Brother!

Have a Smokey Sattiday, an Blessed Be!

[Richard Chrz]

My first reaction was to use a medium amount of water spritz for just such reasons, Hope your Saturday treats you well also.

[NapMaster]

Food looks great!! Thanks for taking care of your first responders.

A good puff of wind during the night could have easily stirred the ashes. Also, settling of your charcoal abruptly could have freed a few ashes. I've seen charcoal sort of bridge for a good while. Finally the bridging piece weakens and drops abruptly giving a little puff of ash. Adds flavor!!

[smokin fool]

^^^^Agreed, think of it as fibre.

[klflowers]

+1 on all these comments. Great thing taking care of the firemen!

[Dick Anderson]

Those firemen probably eat so much smoke and ash, they'll think it tastes like (a) home!

[jgreen]

Very nice thing to do. Those firefighters will appreciate it.

[ofelles]

Great cause to cook. As above they eat a lot of ash so they won't notice.

[jerrybell]

Nice gesture. I'm sure that will be very appreciated. I just watched a BBQ Pit Boys video yesterday and they made cigar ash barbecue sauce. I wouldn't be concerned one bit about the small amount that wafted onto your pork shoulder.

[FireMan]

Personally, after much research, I think the amount of ash you described ruined the meat. I’ll PM you my address, I have a proper certified disposal unit that I will use at no charge. 🕶

[Richard Chrz]

HAHA for the win on the internet today!