Why put water in a BBQ smoker? Where to put the water pan

by Joost Nusselder | Last Updated:  April 17, 2022

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So, you’ve got a new smoker, and you’ve heard a lot of conflicting information about water pans, right? Should you put water in your smoker? Is it necessary?

Adding water to the smoker’s water pan creates the ideal cooking conditions for low and slow BBQ. Water increases the humidity level in your smoker, and the resulting condensation helps meat cook at a low temperature and helps smoke adhere to the meat, which makes it smokier and more flavorful.

I’ll discuss when to put water into your smoker and why you should. Plus read on for bonus tips on how to use a water pan.

Why does you use a water pan when bbq smoking

I know that smoke and water seem like an unlikely combination, but if you love to smoke flavorful cuts of meat, the low and slow method is best, and water is a must.

Imagine the taste of prime rib, brisket, or ribs slow-cooked for hours until they’re juicy and smoky…

So, why put water in a smoker?

Here’s what happens when you put water in the smoker:

  • Much of the water vapor condenses and sticks to the meat.
  • This process “cools” the meat as it cooks and lets you cook low & slow.
  • Since you’re cooking the meat for a longer time, the connective tissue and fats break down, and the result is a moist, tender, and juicy BBQ with all the tasty benefits of wood smoke.

Use the right wood for the right food! I’ve listed the best wood for smoking options here

Do you need to put water in a smoker?

How to buy a bbq smoker video
How to buy a bbq smoker video

No, you can cook without water in the smoker.

You add water when you want to achieve a particular cooking style in which the meat is more moist and tender.

This is especially handy for large cuts of beef or pork, which can be somewhat chewy.

But, did you know that you can add other liquids to the water pan?

That’s right, and you can add other liquids besides the water, such as beer, wine, or apple juice. But, in reality, these aren’t really going to add a noticeable flavor to the meat.

The role of the liquid is to keep your food moist, not to add flavor. You might not notice any difference in flavor, and it’s a shame to waste beer.

As opposed to when you make Pellet Smoker Beer Can Chicken! Here’s a Mouthwatering Recipe + How-To

If you are smoking, you’ll want to add water to your smoker’s water pan.

Add about 2 or 3 liters, and you’ll achieve that nice smoke ring.

If you’re cooking on a gas or charcoal grill, about 1 liter is probably enough, but you can always refill the water pan while the food is cooking.

You can also add a drip pan to the bottom of the cooking grate and put in a small amount of water to collect the fat drippings.

What happens when you put water in your smoker?

The water helps you create an indirect cooking surface

For low and slow BBQ, an indirect cooking surface is ideal. Most offset smokers have their heat source located to the side and away from the cooking chamber.

So, if you own an offset smoker like the Char-Broil, you already have a great setup for indirect cooking.

But, if you have a bullet smoker like a Weber Smokey Mountain (we talk about it here), then your heat source is right at the bottom under the food.

Read all about BBQ Smoker Horizontal vs. Vertical vs. Offset | an in-depth Guide

In order to cook at low temperatures slowly, you need to deflect the heat, and that’s where the water pan comes in handy. Let me tell you why below.

Water helps you control the cooking temperature

Water helps you lower the temperature in the smoker or cooker. It also allows you to somewhat control the temperature, which is useful when you want to cook low and slow.

As the water heats up and reaches its boiling point, it evaporates and releases steam into the air. This process is called evaporative cooling.

This evaporative cooling process helps to maintain a lower cooking temperature in the chamber.

This is a great heat deflection method unlike any other because water doesn’t evaporate before it reaches 100 degrees C (212 F).

Why use a water pan in your bbq smoker infographic

Water helps you contain hot spots and flames

Did you know that the water in the smoker water pan is the same temperature across the entire pan? This means it’s not hotter on one side than the other.

This makes water a great heat sink, and it helps to even out the temperature in your cooking chamber. Therefore, you don’t have to deal with overcooked or undercooked food.

All of your meats are going to cook evenly. The water evens out any hot spots and prevents flame flare-ups.

Since water takes a long time to rise or fall in temperature, the temperatures in your smoker are less likely to fluctuate, and it’s easier to maintain an even temperature.

Good heat distribution is very important, especially if you want to cook low and slow in an offset smoker or kettle grill.

Water increases the humidity in your smoker

Humidity is just another term for water vapor, and it’s beneficial for your meat.

As water condenses in the cooking chamber, it “sticks” to the meat and helps to cool it down.

This lengthens the cooking time, and therefore more fat and connective tissue breaks down, so your meat is more tender and juicy.

The water also helps the smoke adhere to the meat and gives it that classic smokey flavor we all want. As a result of humidity, the meat forms a “bark” that many smokers are after.

Water vapors and moisture dissolve some of the ingredients in the meat rub. So, while it cooks, the meat keeps drying and then re-moisturizing again, and this process creates that thick and tasty bark.

What is a water pan?

Water pans are used with smokers to bring moisture into the grilling experience.

They are designed to hold water and should specifically be filled with hot water to keep the cooker from wasting energy on heating cold water.

Hint: It’s a good idea to use a teapot to fill the pan. This will keep the water from spilling and causing burns.

A water pan goes over the heat source. If you have a charcoal or wood burner, it will be placed above the coal area.

If you have an electric unit, it will be placed over the electric heating element. If you have an LPG or gas grill it will be placed over the burners.

What are the benefits of a water pan?

A water pan provides many benefits to the smoking process.

These are as follows:

  • Temperature Control: Temperature control is key in smoking foods but on a hot day, it will be difficult to keep levels maintained. A water pan will help maintain temperature. This is because water can not go over its boiling point of 212 degrees Fahrenheit. After that, it provides evaporative cooling. It will also even out hot spots in your smoker.
  • Water acts as a repellent for the flame keeping foods from getting dried out or blackened.
  • Humidity keeps meats moist, so they taste great. It also mixes with combustible gas to add to the overall flavor.

Where do you put the water pan?

The determining factor is the type of smoker/cooker you have.

The ideal spot to place it is directly underneath your food and above the charcoal because it helps create even heat in your cooker.

If you have a two or three-burner grill, it’s best to turn only one burner on and leave the others off.

Make one side “cold,” add meat, and add the water pan underneath. When you do this, the water creates even and radiant heat.

If you’re using an offset smoker or a small kettle grill, you will have to place the pan on your cooking grate between the meat and your heat source.

Where to put water pan in an offset smoker?

The water pan in an offset smoker should be placed directly below the meat. This will help to catch any drippings and prevent them from burning on the hot coals.

I recommend you add an extra rack directly above the flames. This is the ideal location for your offset smoker’s water pan.

Keep your meat moist by using the most steam possible. Radiant heat from a full tray of water can help cook your meat evenly and thoroughly.

Where to put water pan in a pellet smoker?

In many cases, pitmasters place the water pan on the side of the smoker.

The water pan in a pellet smoker can also be placed underneath the cooking grate.

This allows the water to catch any drippings from the food, which can help to prevent burning and add moisture to the smoking environment.

Many pellet smokers also have a water pan that sits atop the firepot, which can be used to add moisture or keep food from drying out.

Where to put water pan in an electric smoker?

There is no definitive answer to this question, as each smoker is different and will have different recommendations.

However, most electric smokers will have a water pan that goes under the heating element, which helps to create steam and keep food moist during the smoking process.

Additionally, some people prefer to put the water pan on the side of the smoker so that it does not get in the way of the food, while others place it in the center so that the heat is evenly distributed.

Ultimately, it is up to the individual to experiment and find what works best for them and their smoker.

Do you use a water pan for smoking fish?

Eating fish is a great way to get more heart-healthy omega-3s into your diet. If you are looking for varieties in your fish preparation, smoking it could be the way to go.

Smoking fish can give it a great rich taste and, if done right, your fish will have the perfect balance of smoke and salt.

You don’t have to but smoking fish with a water pan can keep the fish nice and moist throughout the smoking process.

It will give it a sea moist and supple taste.

Without the use of a water pan, the fish might dry out or even blacken from too much heat.

Fish on sticks ready to be smoked

How do I smoke fish with a water pan?

Now that you know about the benefits a water pan can provide, here are some steps you will want to take when you use one to smoke your fish.

  1. Remove the water pan from the smoker and fill it will water to the level that’s marked or just below the rim to avoid spillage. Put the pan back in the smoker. (Bonus tip: You can add seasonings to the water to give whatever you are smoking extra flavor).
  2. Prepare your fish according to recipe directions.
  3. Place fish inside a smoker referring to manufacturer directions to make sure you are securing it correctly.
  4. Cook your fish at the desired temperature being sure to watch over the dials and adjust if there are any fluctuations.
  5. Test if your fish is done by inserting a fork at a 45-degree angle. The fish should be flakey. If it appears translucent, it will need to be cooked more.
  6. Once fish is flakey, take it out and enjoy it.

If you prefer your fish crispy, you can cook it without the water. Here are some tips on cooking crispy fish.

  1. Empty water from the water pan and put it back in the smoker.
  2. Prepare fish per recipe directions and secure them into the smoker.
  3. Monitor temperature for any fluctuations.
  4. Fish will be ready when it is flakey and has an opaque appearance.

Note: crispy fish may need to be cooked at a higher temperature. If this is the case, you will have more drippings and will want to use a drip pan.

You can also make crispy fish by using sand in your water pan instead of water. Sand will provide temperature control without the moistness.

Sand can also be beneficial because it does not evaporate like water. Therefore, it is recommended for long-duration cooking.

Best water pan for smokers

Tiger Chef 8 Quart Full Size Dripless Water Pan

(view more images)

  • size: 8 quarts
  • material: stainless steel

If you’re looking for the best water pan for smokers, look no further than the Tiger Chef 8 Quart Full-Size Dripless Water Pan.

This water pan is specifically designed for use with smokers, and it’s made from durable stainless steel that won’t rust or corrode. The water pan has a rectangular shape which fits well in most smokers of all sizes.

Additionally, this kind of pan can be placed directly under the smoking food or beside the food in the cooking chamber.

It has a capacity of 8 quarts, so it can accommodate a large amount of water, and it has a pouring spout and handles that make it easy to fill and empty.

The Tiger Chef 8 Quart Full-Size Dripless Water Pan is the perfect way to keep your smoker running smoothly and your food tasting great.

If needed, you can use this water tray as a drip tray for grease and fatty drippings.

I recommend this water pan over the aluminum water trays because this stainless steel material is good quality and the pan doesn’t warp.

Check the latest prices here

Don’t use your water pan as a drip pan

If you decide to use a water pan for smoking, there is an important tip to keep in mind:

Never use your water pan as a drip pan!

Your water pan may be conveniently located for drip pan use, but if you use it for this purpose the fat drippings will produce an oil slick that will keep the water from evaporating.

When should you not add water, and what are the cons?

There are some pros and cons to using water when smoking.

One obvious instance of when NOT to use water is when you are grilling. When you grill, you cook the meat at high heat for a short period.

In that case, there’s no reason to add water to the pan.

Let’s say you’re searing a steak like in this recipe; since you’re cooking at a very high temperature, the water will boil and evaporate quickly.

Another con of adding water to the smoker is that it prevents poultry from developing a crispy crust.

When you cook or smoke poultry meats like chicken, cornish hens, or turkey, a crispy skin makes the BBQ taste better.

If you add water, it creates a moist cooking environment that prevents the skin from getting crispy.

So, if you’re a fan of that delicious crispy skin, like me, avoid cooking with water.

Some people also avoid using a water pan because they think clean up is tricky. Since the water combines with fat, it’s hard to dispose of.

First, you need to remove the fat and throw it in the garbage before you can throw away the water or risk clogging up the pipes.

But, you can easily remove the chunks of fat that float in the water with a spoon and then throw the water somewhere in the yard or down the drain.

Bottom line

Fans of low and slow BBQ know that the secret to juicy and tender meat cuts is a water pan in your smoker.

It’s quite easy to set up, clean up, and there’s no doubt that your BBQ is going to be better.

The water helps the rub and smoke flavors come together to give delicious meat your whole family will surely love!

Also read: Complete guide on BBQ smoker baffle plates | Help & reviews

Joost Nusselder, the founder of Lakeside Smokers is a content marketer, dad and loves trying out new food with BBQ Smoking (& Japanese food!) at the heart of his passion, and together with his team he's been creating in-depth blog articles since 2016 to help loyal readers with recipes and cooking tips.