Pre burn your wood..

[Steve R.]

My take: I like to take the next two splits I am going to be using and let them sit on top of the fire box until it's their turn. This puts a good char on the outside and the hot logs start burning the instant they land in the fire. If I don't do this, I might have a couple of minutes of white smoke, but civilization hasn't ended yet as a result of this happening.

[Steve B]

This is what I have been doing so far . Usually put 3-4 logs on top and 1 by 1 they make their way into the firebox.
This is why I asked my question above.

[GadjetGriller]

Thanks for the idea!! I will try that when it cools down into the 70's!! (if I remember probably wont be until mid Oct lol)

[BigJoe]

Hey it is part of grillin/BBQ

And when you get out of bed just about everyday; and have to take 5 Advil and 3 Tylenol to start the day off. All the benefits of football and the USMC.

A drink every now and then really takes the pain away.

[SmokenInTexas]

My take: I like to take the next two splits I am going to be using and let them sit on top of the fire box until it's their turn. This puts a good char on the outside and the hot logs start burning the instant they land in the fire. If I don't do this, I might have a couple of minutes of white smoke, but civilization hasn't ended yet as a result of this happening.

The pre burn pit gives you an excuse to fire up a pot of beans.....

[SmokenInTexas]

Dammit!!! Obviously the wrong pic....

[EdF]

Nice truck, though! And nice digs!

[Mr. Bones]

Ditto!
Cain't wait fer th' "real pic", if it's gonna be this good!
Loves me some smoker beans!!!

[BigJoe]

These are trucks lol

[EdF]

The "real trucks" thing is reminding me of "real programmer" jokes. "Why back when we only had zeros". Etc

[SmokenInTexas]

Meh..in my 52 years I've owned em all but a dodge,which I wouldnt sell to my worst enemy.
The Tundra was built just down the road in San Antonio so it helps the local economy and the wife has a 4Runner with 283,000 thousand miles with nothing but scheduled maintenance.

[hoovarmin]

Ok, wait - now I have to pre-burn my wood? O crap, how do I do that?

[SmokenInTexas]

Nah...pre burned wood is dirty smoke free.
As far as how to do it? Think campfire with a further purpose.

[DWCowles]

No hoovarmin you don't have to preburn your logs

[SmokenInTexas]

Of course it's not charcoal.
All your doing is getting the log to the point that it's stopped smoldering and is burning clean.
With the pre burn you get a fire that is consistent for longer periods as well.

[ComfortablyNumb]

THIS is a truck!

[EdF]

Very fine!

[ComfortablyNumb]

Thank you. Here's the story of it, post #50. https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/fo...he-music/page4

[SmokenInTexas]

Nice!

[BigJoe]

That is a great story

[pknj]

Do they let open pre-burn pits at BBQ competitions? Just wondering how the "pros" do it at events. I thought open fires were frowned upon? I guess the hot firebox trick would hep there?

[Greatplainsbrewer]

ping I was wondering the same thing. I competed in a beer show Saturday that had a MWB contest alongside. All sorts of cookers but several were large trailered stick burners. None of them had a preburn box. I would think you could put one next to the firebox on those rigs. I honestly don't know which is better but isn't a KBQ built around a "preburn" principle?

[EdF]

Sort of. You start burning a split, then it gets pulled through the coal bed to clean up the smoke. Provided you only have the bottom vent open.

[SmokenInTexas]

The bean pot and some corn bread staying warm over the pre burn fire....

[SmokenInTexas]

Love me some cast iron!
The stuff is so versatile.

[Beefchop]

Love the chuck wagon dutch oven thing you've got going on here. Need an enamel pot to brew some cowboy coffee while 'yer waitin'. : )

[SmokenInTexas]

Coffee?
More like some hot buttered rum!

[SmokenInTexas]

Another shot...
Beans taste so good with a little smoke.

[EdF]

Doesn't get any homier than that!

[SmokenInTexas]

Aside from all the seemingly (rare here) hostile feelings I have a question.

When preburning your logs are you burning them just enough to have a charred surface or are you burning them until they become more or less a pile of ash chunks??

Missed your post....
You burn em till they put out clear smoke,which varies depending on the seasoning of the wood.
To me it's worth it. You get a consistent clean fire,it's easier to control temps and you can hold temps longer with less fussing with the fire.
And if things go cold? Ya shovel in some coals from the pre burn fire and you're right back to temp.

[Steve B]

Thanks brother I appreciate your input.

[JCBBQ]

PaulstheRibList can you elaborate on the importance of an insulated firebox? I'm guessing they will cut down on fuel consumption somewhat, and maybe keep temps steadier? Is that right? I've heard you and Jerod Broussard extol them but I confess I've never really understood their importance.

[SmokenInTexas]

Insulated smokers are the shite in cold weather!!!
Although here in Texas they're limited use.

[Huskee]

I don't have one, and I don't need it per se. But, on days when it's single digits for a high I drape some insulation over it and it does help. I suppose it's like having heated seats in your vehicle, great if you do have it and you wouldn't trade it, but not mandatory.

[SmokenInTexas]

Had em in my King Ranch Ford and never used em.
Why anyone would need them in Texas is a mystery.

[cmiller0711]

I have been thinking about trying preburning, but i havent talked myself into it yet! I may just bite the bullet and do it on my next cook.

[SmokenInTexas]

Try it....
You have nothing to lose....
Promise you'll like it.

[SmokenInTexas]

Your smoke will never be cleaner.

[Spinaker]

lonnie mac
This is right up your alley!