Foil, or no foil?

[vipergts2]

Foil or no foil, that is the question. The first couple things I smoked, pork loins then chicken, I put foil on the trays then set the meat on. I noticed  in pictures here most people lay the meat right on the grilles. What is the preference?

[tailfeathers]

The only time I ever use foil is if I am doing 3-2-1 ribs, otherwise I use a frogmat under whatever I am smoking. Foil prevents the smoke from being able to reach the meat, and also affects the flow of heat in the cabinet. I think Bradley recommends not using foil to line your racks for these reasons.

[MrSlick]

Same for me, I only use foil on the last part of cooking ribs. 

[Saber 4]

I don't use any foil in the smoker, frogmats for small stuff, frogmats and cheese cloth for chex mix and nuts, and coffee filters to smoke salt.

[vipergts2]

Thanks much guys. I will do away with the foil.

[cajunboudreaux]

NO foil on grates for me..

[Tenpoint5]

Also if you happen to take a look at that thing called a users manual. That thing that 98% of guys never look at. It states NOT to cover the racks with foil.

[vipergts2]

Also if you happen to take a look at that thing called a users manual. That thing that 98% of guys never look at. It states NOT to cover the racks with foil.

Yeah, I kind of lost the manual. Oops!

[DaveT261]

I think the main reason not to put foil on your racks is because of the grease and juices building up and running down on the heating element causing a fire inside your Bradley

[vipergts2]

I think the main reason not to put foil on your racks is because of the grease and juices building up and running down on the heating element causing a fire inside your Bradley

That would not be cool.