A simple answer is Yes!
You can use water pan in a Traeger smoker without any issues.
Are you wondering how to place it in the grill?
Are you concerned about the usage of a water pan during your grilling sessions?
No worries!
Here is a complete guide on how you can you properly make use of water pan in your Traeger grill.
Water pan makes the meat extremely tender and delicious.
It also makes the dry barbeque mouth-watering with the crisp on the outside and tenderness on the inside.
Right after reading this article, go grab yourself a water pan for the next barbeque.
Click Here to Get a New Reliable Water Pan for Your Traeger Smoker.
4 Main Reasons to Use Water Pan for Your Traeger Smoker
Should you use water pan for your smoker?
It is not necessary, but, depends on your personal choice.
Water pan can affect the performance of your grill.
How?
Let’s take a look at 4 main reasons why you should use water pan for your Traeger smoker.
1. Water pans stabilize the temperature of the grills.
It is necessary to stabilize the temperature as many grillers do not spread the heat evenly in all directions.
2. Water pans are placed on the heating elements.
This creates an indirect source of heat for cooking the food slowly.
Direct heat can burn the meat or it may get overcooked.
3. Moisture is created by the vapours that evaporate from the water in the pan.
Moisture makes the meat more tender and softer.
4. Moisture due to the water pan gives rise to complex flavours and aromas in the barbeque.
However, pellet smokers work on electric systems with a regulated flow of heat and temperature.
There is a diffusion plate that sets up an indirect heating chamber.
Uniform heat is ensured in pellet smokers.
But you can still use water pans to add extra moisture, especially when you are cooking in a dry weather.
It will simply add more flavour to the barbeque.
You can Get a High Quality Water Pan for Your Smoker by Clicking Here.
Recommended Articles for You:
Is It a Good Idea to Paint the Internal Parts of Your Traeger Grill?
Traeger Smoker vs Bradley Smoker – Learn Who is Best
Is It Possible to Cook on Traeger Grill without Smoke?
Where Does the Water Pan Go on a Traeger Grill?
The best orientation of a water pan on a Traeger is below the grill grates and superior to the dripping pan.
Choose the water pan that has a flat surface and is shallow.
While you are grilling the meat, the liquid drops from the fat will drip down in the water pan.
Flat surface pan will allow a better exchange of heat to produce moisture.
Also, make holes in the pan before fitting it.
If you are using a charcoal grill or wood smoker, then place the water pan over the coal area.
If the grill runs on electricity, then the pan should be on the electric component.
In a gas grill, water pan lies above the burners.
Should You Use a Water Pan When Smoking Fish on a Traeger Grill?
Yes, water pan keeps the temperature under control.
You can also add ice in the pan.
In cold weather condition, you can add hot water in the pan while grilling fish to quickly achieve the desired temperature.
While, on the other hand, if the weather is hot and you want to keep the temperature of the grill low, then add cold water.
Traeger grills, often, get very hot.
So, water pans keep the temperature mild.
You can also smoke fish without water.
But the complex flavours that develop when water vapour combines with steam will give you the premium and authentic taste of barbeque.
Thus, set the water pan in the Traeger grill and smoke the fish for 3 hours at 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can You Boil Water on a Traeger Grill?
Yes! You can boil water on a Traeger Grill.
Boiling water on a grill requires 8-10 minutes, longer than other methods.
So, you will have to wait longer.
I highly recommend you not to boil water on a grill as it is not a safe option.
But if there is no other way out, then follow these steps to boil water on a grill:
1. Light the grill and place the kettle of water on it.
2. Put the lid of the kettle so that steam gathers and speeds up the process.
3. Keep it covered for at least 10 min. to start the boiling process.
4. Let it boil for a few minutes.
You can use different kettles and pots for boiling water like:
1. Stainless steel kettle can withstand high temperature
2. Aluminium kettle can help you boil water faster
3. Steamers help you in producing steam to boil water efficiently.
Keep the grill in open air, if you are boiling water on it.
This will reduce the chances of explosion.
6 Methods to Keep Meat Moist on a Traeger Smoker
Water pan in a Traeger smoker keeps the meat moist.
When water boils, it is converted into vapour form.
These vapours mix up with smoke from the barbeque.
As a result, moisture is created to keep the meat soggy and crisp.
Steam and water play a significant role in keeping the meat moist.
So, if you want to enjoy tender meat, then I highly recommend you to use a water pan.
Some other methods of keeping meat moist are listed down below:
1. Get The Right Meat Cut
While purchasing meat for barbeque, you need to be very careful.
Get yourself the cut with a decent proportion of fat and meat.
When you will smoke it, the meat will be incredibly delicious and moist.
2. Use Salt Seasoning
Seasoning brings in the most complex flavours to your palate.
Salt is the most essential spice for barbeque.
Salt denatures the meat making it chewier and tackier.
3. Wrap in an Aluminium Foil
Keep the steamed meat wrapped in an aluminium foil.
It acts as an insulator allowing minimum heat loss retaining the moisture in the meat.
4. Use Apple Cider Vinegar Spray
You can use apple cider vinegar or a sauce to spray and coat your meat, respectively.
There is a wide range of options available for spraying.
You can get the best one for yourself from the market.
5. Use Less Smoke
If you think smoking will produce best barbeque meat, then you are probably mistaken.
Excessive smoking can dry the meat and absorb all the moisture making the meat hard to chew.
Keep an eye on proper usage of hardwoods.
6. Keep Lid Closed
Yes, you need to keep the lid of your grill closed to get the best results.
You will have to stay patient and soothe your urge of looking at the meat again and again.
Otherwise, all the steam will escape.
This will, in turn, make the meat dry.
These are some simple methods of enjoying scrumptious, tender barbeque.
What is the Best Water Pan to Use with a Traeger Smoker?
Different water pans for Traeger Grill are available online.
Here, I will share my two most favourite pans.
1. DuraPan
Weight: 22 pounds
This is a standard water pan made of stainless steel.
It is a strong pan and is corrosion resistant.
It can be easily cleaned and can also be used in your fridge and oven.
Weight: 1.6 ounces
Winco pan is one of the highest rated water pans in the market.
It is a good quality pan from a reliable company.
You can move it around to refill during long hours of barbeque.
In my opinion, these 2 pans are the best to use for your Traeger Smoker.
However, multiple options are available from trustworthy and reliable brands.
So, you can choose the one that suits you the most.
Final Thoughts
Water pan is not essential in a Traeger grill.
But I highly recommend you to get yourself one before planning your next barbeque.
It will multiply the joy of grilling when you will experience the vapours and steam mixing up and sticking on the meat.
I can bet you will not have experienced such a promising taste of grilled meat without a water pan.
However, it also depends on your own choice and preference.
Choose the one that suits your grill the most.
Good luck.
References:
https://ownthegrill.com/water-pan-in-pellet-smoker/
https://bbqchamps.com/how-to-keep-meat-moist/
https://smokedandbrewed.com/the-top-12-ways-to-keep-meat-moist-while-smoking/
