Technique
Snake Method
An arrangement of unlit charcoal in a C-shape that burns slowly for low-and-slow cooks on a kettle grill.
Popularized by Weber kettle owners, the snake method involves arranging unlit briquettes in a curved 'C' two-wide and two-high around the perimeter of the charcoal grate. You light a small batch at one end and let the fire crawl slowly along the snake. Wood chunks placed on top deliver clean smoke. A typical snake runs 6-10 hours at 225-250°F with no babysitting.
Why it matters
It turns a $200 Weber Kettle into a legitimate smoker for ribs, pork shoulder, or brisket — no upgrade needed.
Related Terms
Minion Method
Lighting a small amount of hot coals on top of a large pile of unlit coals for long, steady smoker cooks.
Low and Slow
Cooking large, tough cuts at 225-275°F for many hours to break down collagen into tender, jiggly meat.
Indirect Heat
Cooking food next to (not directly over) the fire, using the grill lid as an oven.
Used In These Articles
See Snake Method in real-world context across our reviews, guides, and recipes.
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