Minion method

[SCOTT]

Anybody ever use the minion method for charcoal in an offset like a New Braulnfels smoker? Does it work and can it hold a temp for longet than 1 or 2 hours like I do now... Thanks for any help/ideas
Scott

[glennr]

I've never tried it but When I do I'll put the coals in a pan like in a wsm. I don't think it will work with my new braunfels/brinkman contraption but when the coals die I'll just go back to throwing wood on it. I love experiments!

[Larry Wolfe]

Scott,
I used to use it in my New Braufels BD. It didn't work nearly as well as it does in a WSM. But I know a guy who made a metal meshed tray that held the coals all together vs. being so spread out and he had great luck with that. So the bottomline is it can be done with a slight modification.

[1044]

I took a piece of lightweight expanded metal and made as big of a circle as I could fit in the firebox of my NBBD. It held a solid 8 hours with Kingsford and a few wood chunks.. Of course, I plugged all leaks elsewhere on the pit.

When necessary, I would open the end door of the FB and scoop out ash under the rack the charcoal sat on.

It worked very well.

[SCOTT]

That exactally what I need to know 1044...can you give me more details??
Thanks
Scott

[1044]

It was pretty easy. I bought piece of scrap mesh about 9"x48". I rolled the piece as wide a diameter as I could get in the firebox. I have a torch and welder, so the mechanics were easy enough.

I you have neither, you could cut it with a sharp chisel and a BFH. Bolt the ends together with a little overlap.

I lowered it in the top door. I cut a notch in the mesh at the end door so I could slip wood chunks in.

When it was refill time, I would scoop out the ash under the grate it sat on, then opened the top door and poured a fresh load of Kingsford on top of the coals that were left.[/img]

[SCOTT]

Thanks a lot 1044..I got how to build this charcoal bassket but..since Im not that smart as far as the minion method goes...How do fill that and do what with the charcoal..lit and unlit?
Thanks for your help and patience.....

[1044]

As in my wsm's, I fill the ring as full as possible, put chunks or a split of wood on top, add about 8-10 hot coals, then close it up. It will take off from there and have the pit to temp in about an hour.

[SCOTT]

Thanks a lot man..I appreciate your help....

[1044]

If ya blow sumpin' up, or poke out yer eye, we ain't talked. :P

[SCOTT]

My lawyer wants to know your real name...... :D

[1044]

My lawyer wants to know your real name...... :D

Texana Woodman.

[Woodman]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[Mic]

Another simple way to light the coals that I have used is to place a small coffee can opened on both ends in the center of the ring filling the ring with charcoal around the coffee can. I layer a few chunks of smoke wood in the charcoal as well. I then light a few coals and dump em in the coffee can. Use a pair of channel-lock pliers to then carefully lift the can out of the center leaving the lit coals to light the rest. Whatn't my idea but it works well! :wink: :wink:

Mic

[Greg in Jersey]

It was pretty easy. I bought piece of scrap mesh about 9"x48". I rolled the piece as wide a diameter as I could get in the firebox. I have a torch and welder, so the mechanics were easy enough.

I you have neither, you could cut it with a sharp chisel and a BFH. Bolt the ends together with a little overlap.

I lowered it in the top door. I cut a notch in the mesh at the end door so I could slip wood chunks in.

When it was refill time, I would scoop out the ash under the grate it sat on, then opened the top door and poured a fresh load of Kingsford on top of the coals that were left.[/img]

Good answer, you can find more info and details here...

http://bbqinstitute.com/smokermods.htm

http://www.eaglequest.com/~bbq/faq2/toc.html