Technique

Minion Method

Lighting a small amount of hot coals on top of a large pile of unlit coals for long, steady smoker cooks.

Named after Jim Minion, this technique fills your smoker firebox with unlit charcoal, then dumps a chimney of lit coals on top. The fire burns downward slowly through the unlit fuel, producing 12-18 hours of steady low temperature with minimal intervention. It's the standard method for Weber Smokey Mountain users.

Why it matters

Lets you smoke an overnight brisket without getting up to refuel.

Related Terms

Snake Method

An arrangement of unlit charcoal in a C-shape that burns slowly for low-and-slow cooks on a kettle grill.

Low and Slow

Cooking large, tough cuts at 225-275°F for many hours to break down collagen into tender, jiggly meat.

Used In These Articles

See Minion Method in real-world context across our reviews, guides, and recipes.

Best Grills Under $500
You don't need to mortgage the house. These affordable grills deliver serious performance for real-world budgets.
Guide
The Complete Guide to Smoking Meat
From first brisket to competition-level barbecue. Everything I've learned from 200+ low-and-slow cooks in Minnesota.
Guide
How to Control Temperature on a Charcoal Grill
Master the vents and you can hold any temp from 225°F to 700°F for hours.
How-To
Weber Smokey Mountain 18"
The competition-winning vertical smoker that punches way above its price. A Minnesota winter essential.
Review