Grease?

[pluto1415]

So, every time we use the smoker, we put a sheet of foil on the smoker box lid (and wrap it around) - and on the floor of the smoker. We poke the hole in the foil over the drain hole. We never have ANY grease on our foil (either piece), but there's a ton of it under the foil. It's almost like it runs down the walls of the smoker and right underneath the foil.

What are we doing wrong?

[DReeves]

That's odd. I have to empty my grease pan..... What are you smoking? I usually smoke either butts or briskets, both have a lot of fat that is broken down by the low and slow method.

It does not sound like you are doing anything wrong, per se.

[pluto1415]

We have smoked a bunch of stuff - turkey breast, whole chicken, pork butt, ribs, cheese - no matter what we smoke, there is barely any grease in our drip pan, but the foil is completely stuck to the bottom with the grease. All the grease is UNDER the foil - there is none (or 1-2 drops) ON the foil. We usually end up smoking our food, then removing the foil and turning the smoker back on for about 1/2 an hour - most of the grease will then run out and what doesn't can be pushed with a cheap scraper towards the hole.

We starting to think that we're just wasting a piece of foil and we might as well go without.

[pluto1415]

We have smoked butts, briskets, whole chickens, turkey breasts, ribs - it doesn't matter. If there is anything in our drip pan, it's 1 or 2 drips - the remaining grease is stuck between the foil and the bottom of the smoker. Last time we smoked our food, removed the food and foil, then ran the smoker for another 20 minutes - most of the grease ran out after that. It's almost like the foil is trapping it on the bottom, there is very little grease ON TOP of the foil.

We're thinking of giving up on the foil.

[DReeves]

I just re-read your original post, to make sure you poked a hole in the foil.

The foil should have nothing to do with it. The grease falls, due to gravity. Why it does not go through the drain hole is beyond me. Try it without foil and let us know what happens. The only other thing I can think of is..... how level is the ground where the smoker sits? That may affect where the oil travels towards the drain.

Interesting predicament.

[SmokeRing]

I have only used foil in the smoker a couple of times. I now just scrape the top of the smoker box and the floor of the smoker. I always get a pan filled with grease when I'm done Smokin. I'd have to think it was the leveling as dreeves suggested.

[sk00kum]

I have only been lining the floor of the smoker and the top of the wood box, but not the top/inside of the unit.:confused:

Am having the same experience with the grease ..... a little in the pan, but a "sheet" of grease under the foil; and, the smoker sits on a concrete patio & is pretty darned level.

[DReeves]

sk00kum,

You've stumped me. You just described how my smoker is set up, and has been for the past 10 years.

I cannot explain why that would happen. Please let us know if/when you figure it out.

[DReeves]

sk00kum,

You've stumped me. You just described how my smoker is set up, and has been for the past 10 years.

I cannot explain why that would happen. Please let us know if/when you figure it out.

[Idaho Jjoh]

I would still check the level of the smoker. After you get the smoker level (using a level) check the floor of the smoker to see if it is level as well. You may have to put the rear wheels down a bit to get it level or a little forward lean. Also. put the foil in so it goes up the back wall and sides about an inch. You can get foil in the wide size so you don't have to splice it. Only other thing is to check and make sure there is no obstruction in the hole and it is the right size hole.

[BillyBob]

Even if the 1400 is level, you will have the grease under the foil on the bottom....it will come off the sides,back, and top. The foil will catch most...but not all. Make sure you make the hole in the bottom foil so it will drain. I too hate the clean-up...but do it after each cook and it will be much easier.

BillyBob