Want an alternative to the SnS that takes up less of my cooking area. Does anyone have experience with the firedial? Or any alternative low and slow things that let me utilize the whole cooking area?
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I have never used one but it is an interesting idea. My biggest concern is that to add wood/charcoal during the cook, you have to remove the meat, the grate, and the Firedial to do so. This isn't as easy as just flipping the hinged grate.
If I need more area during a cook (i.e. for a large brisket), I will either do the snake method (but keep my meat/water pan moving as the cook progresses or remove the SnS and use less charcoal but add more frequently.
Good luck! -
I have used the Firedial in my Weber Kettle with great results with low and slow smoking. The key to success is to use briquets in a snake around the edge of the kettle. 2/3 of a ring around the kettle bottom grate of briquets will burn for 7+ hours. I have not tried a longer cook but I am guessing that 10 hours is easily doable. For the snake, I put 2 briquets side by side and a third on top. Then place a few woods chunks of your favorite wood every 6 inches or so. Three per 5-hour cook is plenty good.
I favor the Cowboy charcoal from Walmart. It burns hotter than KBB and lasts longer. I start the snake with 4-5 hot briquets and it achieves 225-250 with clean smoke in about 20-25 minutes or so. The cowboy charcoal is a clean burning and hot briquet. I would use it even if the price was not as good as it is. I like the Firedial and recommend it for kettle work. I bought the stainless-steel version as it turns dark but cleans up nicely. Most importantly, it does not rust even though it will discolor.Last edited by briano52; February 26, 2026, 03:30 AM.Comment
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I've been looking at this as well https://www.heatbeacondesigns.com/sh...-charcoal-ring, not sure if the holes in the firedial would make a difference??
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