Smoking meats is a popular and flavorful cooking technique, but it can also be time-consuming. Depending on the size and type of meat you’re smoking, it can take several hours or even days to achieve the desired results. As a result, it’s not uncommon for the charcoal in your smoker to burn out before the meat is finished cooking.
If you find yourself in this situation, you may be wondering if it’s okay to add more charcoal to the smoker while it’s still in use. The answer is yes, you can add charcoal while smoking, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
Adding Unlit Charcoal
One option for adding charcoal to your smoker is to use unlit coals. This is a good option if you want to avoid any sudden spikes in temperature. To add unlit coals, simply place them on top of the existing coals. The heat from the burning coals will gradually ignite the unlit coals, and they will begin to contribute to the heat of the smoker.
Adding Lit Charcoal
If you need to raise the temperature of your smoker quickly, you can add lit coals. To do this, start by lighting a few coals in a chimney starter. Once the coals are lit, carefully pour them onto the existing coals in your smoker. Be careful not to add too many lit coals at once, as this can cause the temperature to spike too high.
Tips for Adding Charcoal
Here are a few tips for adding charcoal to your smoker:
- Use the right type of charcoal. Not all charcoal is created equal. For smoking, you’ll want to use hardwood charcoal, which burns hotter and longer than other types of charcoal.
- Don’t add too much charcoal at once. Adding too much charcoal can cause the temperature to spike too high. Start by adding a small amount of charcoal, and then gradually add more as needed.
- Be careful not to smother the fire. When adding charcoal, be careful not to smother the existing fire. This can cause the fire to go out, and you’ll have to start over.
- Monitor the temperature of your smoker. Once you’ve added charcoal, monitor the temperature of your smoker closely. You want to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the smoking process.
Adding charcoal to your smoker while it’s in use is a relatively simple process, but it’s important to do it correctly. By following the tips above, you can avoid any problems and ensure that your meat cooks evenly and flavorful.
Why Does The WSM Run Out Of Fuel Mid-Cook?
Even with years of WSM experience, it’s difficult to estimate exactly how much fuel will be required for a cook. The reason the WSM runs out of fuel mid-cook is because you didn’t start out with enough unlit charcoal to begin with! Additionally, some factors are difficult to account for, like:
- Wind, rain, and cold temps
- The amount of meat being cooked and its internal temperature at the beginning
- Whether there’s water in the pan and its temperature
The Fix: Never start with less unlit fuel than you anticipate using.
I can do this fairly well for shorter cooks, but occasionally I overcook longer cooks and have to add more charcoal in the middle of the cook.
Video: Adding Charcoal Mid-Cook To The WSM
The techniques for adding charcoal to the WSM mid-cook that are outlined in this article are shown in this video.
How to Get Good SMOKE on a Charcoal Grill
FAQ
Is charcoal good to smoke with?
When should you add more charcoal?
How much charcoal do you use when smoking?
Should I add charcoal if my smoker is burning out?
If your smoker’s temperature is dropping and your charcoal is burning out, then we recommend adding charcoal that is half lit or completely lit. For one, this allows you to get heat back to your smoker quickly. Secondly, adding unlit charcoal directly onto of your fire can give off dirty smoke which can leave your meat tasting bitter.
How can you quit smoking?
Nicotine causes addiction, so a decision to quit smoking is quite a difficult one with cravings and urges to smoke, which is hard to fight. There are various tactics to be used like delaying smoking, chewing gum, being physically active and distracting themselves. When nothing works using nicotine replacement patches are very helpful. Balanced diet, being mindful, doing meditation and breathing exercises also help to quit smoking.
Which type of charcoal should I use for smoking?
There are two types of charcoal used for smoking, lump charcoal, and charcoal briquettes. Which one you use is all personal preference. Lump charcoal tends to burn hotter and give a better smoker flavor, while briquettes will burn longer and more evenly giving you a more consistent and predictable burn.
How often should I add charcoal to my smoker?
On average, you will need to add charcoal to your smoker every 3-4 hours to maintain your temperature; however, there are many factors that affect how often you will have to add charcoal to your smoker including: the type of charcoal used, the type of smoker used, how you arrange your charcoal, how long you are smoking, and weather conditions.