Charcoal rails vs Charcoal baskets

[4aces]

Which one do you prefer and why?

[ncsmoker]

There are reasons for both of them. For things that only need a quick smoke like pork chops and boneless, skinless chicken breasts, vegetables. I will use the baskets. I grew up using the baskets so know how to use them well. I use one on one side of smoker away from the top vent.

The SN is great for smokes over 3 hours. That is its forte. You can dial in the vents. Mind the coals and water every hour and only refill it every four hours. A little over a week ago I did an 8lb turkey breast on Thursday. Then on Friday did 22lbs of pork butt on my 22" Weber exactly like yours, with the Maverick.

One other thing when you start smoking keep a note book of conditions, weather, vent settings, what you were smoking, time it took, when you stirred and added water, when you added coals, anything else that affected the smoke. This will help you go back the next time you want to cook the same thing or the weather is the same. Keep it for about 6 months until you are comfortable with the grill and the SN.

Tom

Good luck