Smoking Brisket and water pan

[n4khq]

I am planning my first brisket. I plan to smoke about 4 hours. I read the water pan is to extinguish the pucks, When I am through smoking, will I need to keep water in the pan. Does the bradley evaporate water like traditional smoker or will one pan last 10 hours?

Thanks

[GusRobin]

I do the following when cooking a brisket or a butt.
I use a larger aluminum pan (the throwaway kind) and fill it about 1/2 to 2/3 with water. After the smoke is done I change out the water. My briskets are usually about 13 lbs and take anywhere from 17-23 hours. So I change the water one more time when I go to bed at night. Aside from catching the pucks, the water catches the grease from the meat. I change often to avoid a pan that is mostly grease and more of  fire hazard. Not sure it would easily start on fire, but I feel it is easy to change often and be safe. I have installed the second element and use hot water so my recovery times are short .

[classicrockgriller]

Change your water after the smoke time and then check your water about every 6 hrs.

I replace my water bowl with a 9 x 13 disposable cake pan and then I don't have to worry about it.

And ditto on what Gus wrote.

[n4khq]

Gone to wal-mart to get the cake pan. Sounds like it will help with cleanup of the tray the original bowel sat on.

Thanks