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When and how to use a water pan

by Danny A
(Las Vegas, NV)

I recently bought a Mastercraft electric smoker. I want to smoke beef ribs and beef brisket. In the past I had an inexpensive electric kettle type upright smoker, which I only used for smoking fish. I have always used the water pan and only used clear water in the water pan. Is the water pan to be used always? how does the liquid effect the smoking? Thanks in advance for your help.

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When and how to use a water pan

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by: SmokerBill

The reasons for using a pan of water in a vertical smoker are to help regulate temperature and to add moistness to the smoke chamber. The water absorbs heat, and prevents temperature spikes.

Clean sand can be used in place of the water if you don't want to add moisture to the smoker. It will help regulate the temperature too.

If you want the smoker to get hotter, as when smoking poultry at a higher temperature for crispy skin, you can use the pan empty. However the grease and dripping might burn, fouling up the taste of your food. To prevent this, place a drip pan on the lower rack to catch the drips from meat on the top rack.

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