water bowl

[max1961]

what is the purpose of the water bowl?  Is it to keep the meat from getting too dry, or just to catch the ash?  if you want the meat to come out dry can you leave it empty?

[kinyo]

The purpose of the bowl is to catch the used puck & the grease. It is really important to always use the bowl & to have water (or other liquid) in it! If not fire can happen.

Kinyo

[KyNola]

The purpose of the bowl is to catch the used puck & the grease. It is really important to always use the bowl & to have water (or other liquid) in it! If not fire can happen.

Kinyo

Kinyo has it exactly right.  That bowl needs to have liquid in it the entire time each and every time.  The water is to extinguish the smoldering puck to prevent it from igniting any grease.  Even after the smoke period is over, the grease can still ignite unless there is water in the bowl.  No only can fire happen, fire WILL happen.