Step by Step Through the Smoking Process

Step #1 Line the pot and the lid with a generous amount of tin foil, so that the interiors are completely covered and there is an overhang of 4–5 inches of foil around the rims of both the pot and lid. Take special care to line the pot and particularly the bottom of the pot thickly and well, using 3–4 layers of regular-weight foil, 2 layers of heavy-duty foil, or a single layer of “extra heavy” foil. If in doubt, use more rather than fewer layers, to prevent the ingredients from caramelizing onto the metal. Leave the overhanging edges sticking out instead of pressing them neatly back against the pot, so that they will be easy to grasp and crimp shut.