On Sat, 18 Feb 2006 20:44:24 GMT, "Brick" >
wrote:

>
>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.

Toy box sand woks well - don't get the stuff from construction
companies - the stuff they use to make concrete - as it may contain
impurities.

Harry