Post
by Davo » Wed Aug 14, 2019 6:57 am
Kevwing, it takes some time to learn to use any smoker and what will work for a WSM will more than likely work for your Dusty.
I've never seen your BBQ in the flesh so it's hard to tell on what it's like inside, all smokers leak at some point, you could add some gaskets around it but smoke will force it's way out somewhere, only need the tiniest of gaps, even Weber Kettles leak smoke and their lids seem to seal quite well...so I wouldn't be too concerned. I take it that the Dusty is a water smoker?
The idea is that the water helps with temp control as well as mixing with the smoke to penetrate into the meat to keep the surface of the meat dampened and that aids penetration and helps to create that lovely smoke ring too.
Do you know how to use the minion method with using fuel for your smoker,,you place some wood chunks on the bottom laid around evenly in a pattern, you pour unlit coals in and around all those wood chunks until covered, you light up a chimney 3/4 ful of hot coals and pour over the unlit, you then place the water bowl where it's supposed to go and fill it with warm to hot water from tap....needs to be filled right up the top but make sure no water goes onto the coals....then complete the set up of your smoker including lid and wait for temp to ride towards 220F or around 110C, close all vents 100% until temp stops rising and begins to decline a little then open top vent fully and bottom vents about 30%, chuck 2 more smoking wood chunks ontop of hot coals...you only need a small wisp of blue smoke coming out...you are then ready to place your food on the grate.
Small fluctuations of temp rises are ok even up to 270F so don't be alarmed, if you see it going too high, close bottom vent to 10% open, if you see it going down, open bottom vent up more.
It can take up to an hour to set up your smoker for a session before it's stabilised enough for cooking...
Anyway try that...this is the method I used for WSM, hope it works for the dusty.
Cheers
Davo
Moderator/ Admin
Weber Q320
Weber Performer Kettle
Weber WSM 18.5