Thanks very much for the input. I stand corrected. Of course it makes the
difference between pits vs water smokers even greater then what I proposed
earlier.

On the other hand I don't think lump is 100% pure carbon. Assuming that is
the case it is possible that some water vapor is present in the combustion
products.

Richard Smith

"Greg Muncill" > wrote in message
...
> On Thu, 17 Mar 2005 15:23:40 GMT, "Christine Allison"
> > wrote:
> >
> >
> >Water is a bi-product of combustion so any smoker which burns fuel is
going
> >to have water vapor present in the air stream.
> >
>
> You are a little confused. Water is a bi-product of
> combustion of hydrocarbon fuels, such as natural gas,
> propane, wood, gasoline, etc. The combustion formula
> for natural gas is:
>
> 2 CH4 + 4 O2 = 2 CO2 + 4 H2O
>
> Charcoal, which is the fuel usually used in the WSM, is
> composed of almost pure carbon. The combustion formula
> now is:
>
> C + O2 = CO2
>
> No hydrogen around from the hydrocarbons? - no water.
>
> >In a water smoker the water pan contributes additional water vapor.
> >
>
> Unless you use sand, as has been pointed out.
>
>
> Greg