Bottom foil

[damnfingers]

Just went out to clean the #2 in preparation for use tonight and found, for the first time, that the foil came right out.  My wife is cheap and rather than throwing away old foil she'll clean and re-use it if it's not really dirty.  I used a couple of those pieces for the bottom of the smoker and it seems like the wrinkles and creases held most of it a little bit off the bottom and did a great job off catching the grease.  Very little grease had gone underneath it either.

[gregbooras]

I reuse the throw away drip pans, but never the foil from inside.

If it works, go for it, my wife does not even like to clean the grates

Greg

[bigfoot21075]

Just went out to clean the #2 in preparation for use tonight and found, for the first time, that the foil came right out.  My wife is cheap and rather than throwing away old foil she'll clean and re-use it if it's not really dirty.  I used a couple of those pieces for the bottom of the smoker and it seems like the wrinkles and creases held most of it a little bit off the bottom and did a great job off catching the grease.  Very little grease had gone underneath it either.

Why use any foil at all?  I foil the top to the wood house and that is it, and even then I wonder why I do it. I have an old wooden wok spatula I use to move along any thing on the floor of the smoker to the hole, other than that my beautifully seasoned number 3 now has well over 200 smokes on it with no odd or off flavors detected, even with beef Jerky or fish.

Ever see a seasoned pit? THAT is what a smoker should look like.

[NDKoze]

I have been using the lids from a full sized foil serving aluminum pan. I bought a pack of 15 for $7 at Sam's Club.

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/bakers-chefs-steam-table-aluminum-foil-lid-full-size-15-ct/prod3210002.ip?navAction=push

I have a big roll of HD Foil from Sam's too, but for the bottom this lids fit just perfect in my #3 and don't tear like the foil does. There is about an inch or so from the sides, but I always get oil under my foil anyhow, so I figured why worry about it.

[smokeasaurus]

I use HD foil and it sticks from time to time....might try the pan and forget about foiling..............

[SuperDave]

I use HD foil and it sticks from time to time....might try the pan and forget about foiling..............

I'd love to see a poll of #3 owners that use the pan with no ill effects.  In my #4, it works great because I have a lot of vertical separation.  The pan and meat aren't anywhere near my probe, so, I get accurate readings.  With many of the other model owners there has been complaints about pan interference with keeping accurate temps. 

[SconnieQ]

I use HD foil and it sticks from time to time....might try the pan and forget about foiling..............

Reynolds makes a foil that is one step stronger than Heavy-Duty called "Super-Strength". Available in the wide rolls. That's what I use on the bottom, and have had no trouble with sticking.

[Durangosmoker]

Are people using the foil lids poking a hole in it to let grease/juices run out the bottom (and allow air to come in)?

[NDKoze]

Yes, I punch a hole in the lid. This is really easy to do when the smoke box is removed.

[LongBall]

I work for Reynolds so I pay almost nothing for the large industrial rolls. I don't have sticking issues at all. I often wonder if heating would work better for the top of the wood box as not foiled. It works well as is so I see no need to change.