On 18-Feb-2006, Steve Calvin > wrote:

> The topic of smoking came up in another group I'm in. I
> suggested the use of sandbox sand in the water tray as
> opposed to water. (Covered with foil of course) A guy came
> back with the following question which I don't know the
> answer to although from the searching that I've done, I
> seriously doubt that there is any reason for concern.
>
> ************** His post ********************************
> question i have on that is at a direct heat won't the sand
> break down thus giving off fumes into the meat?
> I happened to think that my grandma has an old bed with a
> heat box. If one doesn't know what it is( heat box is under
> the bed heat stones place inside keep you warm all night)
> ************************************************** **********
>
> Comments?
>
> --
> Steve

I never gave it a thought, but I'm using very clean sandblasting sand
from a building supply. Given that the typical water/sand pan is so
close to the heat source, it likely gets more then hot enough to burn
off any aromatics the sand might contain. The sand itself will never
reach a temperature that could break it down (melt it). I would hope
that most folks would avoid using topsoil and calling it sand.

--
Brick(I'm paddling as fast as I can)