Aluminum Foil

[bphilb]

While new to the forum I have had my Bradley for over a year and love it. When I smoke a brisket on a traditional fire smoker I prefer to place my brisket on a sheet of aluminum foil. The instructions say that foil will ruin the smoker. Why and how does it effect the smoker??
I have found that a sheet of foil with the edges turned up sure speed the cleaning process in my old smoker.

[FLBentRider]

W E L C O M E  to the Forum bphilb!

Foiling the V-tray or the racks can cause a heat build-up.

Wrapping the meat in foil during a stage of the cook is ok.

I guess you could cut a foil "footprint" of your brisket and put it under it.

I don't foil for the whole cook since it hinders the bark development and smoke penetration.

[SoCalBuilder]

bphilb - Welcome to the forum. Can't remember anything stating that aluminum foil would ruin the smoker, but I do know that you need to be cautious about collecting grease and possibly causing a grease fire. Everyone I know of here will just let the grease drip to the v-tray and then into the water pan. On the longer cooks, like brisket, you need to take care and make sure that the v-tray doesn't clog. CLeaning has never really been an issue with me. A can of Pam goes a long way to making that task easier.

Hope this helps.

FLBR beat me again! Man that boy can type :D

[FLBentRider]

There is a section of the manual that cautions against foiling racks.

[bphilb]

I love the smoker. Have cooked the old traditional way for years. I just hate having to get up to fix the fire during the night. Guess I am getting old.
Do you find that your pucks get completely burned before getting pushed out? Mine seem to get about 90% used in 20 minutes and I keep the burner very clean.

[TestRocket]

What you're getting out of the pucks is normal. They will be black but still intact when they fall into the water bowl.        ;D

[bphilb]

That's what I have seen. Good smoke though and easy. Have you tried the maple with Salmon? Killer. I think I will do a chicken tomorrow. The mother-in-law hates smoked chicken. More for me!