Pbv4ps2 water pan question

[TedL]

Went from fb700 to pbv4ps2 this week. Was going to upgrade to the larger PB1150 at Lowes, but the pbv4 caught my eye after I decided I didn't use the sear feature on the fb700 for all the time I had it.

With that said, was just wondering what the water pan in the bottom is primarily for. Prevention of flare-ups from the meat above or keeping the area just above the firepot cover from getting too hot?

 

[Mike From R.I.]

Water in the pan (should always have some) adds moisture and helps prevent temperature swings. Make sure your heat deflector is in correctly. That little handle is not a handle but a stopper that hits at the rear panel of the smoker.
Also, I read in the manual you can raise the water pan up away from the firepot for extended smokes. I haven't tried that yet.

 

[TedL]

Water in the pan (should always have some) adds moisture and helps prevent temperature swings. Make sure your heat deflector is in correctly. That little handle is not a handle but a stopper that hits at the rear panel of the smoker.
Also, I read in the manual you can raise the water pan up away from the firepot for extended smokes. I haven't tried that yet.

Thx. And yes the deflector is installed correctly. I checked YouTube and some other sites before putting unit together.

 

[Mike From R.I.]

Water pan, when full of water will prevent any grease that may have dripped into from catching fire.