Snake method on 26" kettle

[jdefran]

Is setting up and maintaining (temp) a snake on a 26" kettle any different than a 22" kettle? Is a 2x2x1 sufficient (assuming 12 lit coals to start)?

Any pointers you have would be greatly appreciated.

[MINIgrillin]

I personally do a 3x2 so I can put chips or chunks on top. Either way..should do the trick for low and slow. A water pan will help stabilize temperature if you wanna. Water pan usage is up for debate on final outcomes but for stabilizing temperature it works great. If doing ribs and you plan to wrap em  or do a 3,2,1 might as well use a pan.

Just my opinion..I could be wrong.

What temp and how long are you shooting for?

[jdefran]

Well I'm more concerned with temp and maintaining that temp..for time I can simply build a longer snake. For most smokes I do 250-275.

To clarify, I wasn't sure if the larger size of the kettle required more lit coals to start, a wider/taller snake, etc.

[MINIgrillin]

Well. It wouldn't kill you to burn a few more coals for warm up period. I'm not sure how many I start with buy I usually let the warm up run 30-40 minutes or so. That should be enough time to get past that start up pile and into the snake so you can start managibg Temps sooner.

heat recovery with the snake method is another thing. Those extra coals at the beginning help when you have the lid open When putting food in.

[glrasmussen]

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/grilling-bbqing/snake-method-on-the-ranch-kettle/

[jdefran]

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/grilling-bbqing/snake-method-on-the-ranch-kettle/

Thank you, I was looking for that thread!

[Metal Mike]

MINIgrilln has the right idea about more coals to start.
Heat cleans, I always want to hit @ least 3-350 for a while @ dome,
then close off the intake while I start bringing food out & on (5~min)
then pinch intake 50-75% depending on the width of my snake...

[MINIgrillin]

Well said.

[Metal Mike]

& I rest a brick @ center bend of the snake to help maintain temp as more coals have ignited
(just don't leave it in btwn cooks =warped grate)