Here is my issue(s) and wondering if someone can pass on tips, advice, links to answers ..
I am still new to the smoking world .. Smoker of choice is Weber Smokey Mountain
My main issue is that I am having a hard time maintaining smoker Temperature for any sustainable period of time. The max amount of time my smoker is holding temp for is about 2 hours ..
It seems like my smoker gets to temperature and then dies down after 1 hour or so .. I have tried both the Minion method and just adding hot coals to a full tray of unlit coals ..
When I start, I have most of the lower vents 1/2 to fully open and the top vent just slightly open. I light the coals in Weber starter, and let them all get hot for a good 20-30 minutes.
I am wondering if this is just a charcoal problem? This is the charcoal I have been using ..
"Duraflame 100% natural lump charcoal burns hot and fast to sear in flavor of meat. It lights quickly and easily using a charcoal chimney. Our lump charcoal is environmentally sustainable, made from renewable resources and uses 30% less charcoal per fire than briquettes."
After last weekends attempt (Ribs - 3-2-1 method), I came out frustrated. My heat/temp followed suit from most recent smokes .. got up to temp quite fast (240 ish) .. maintained for 45 minutes or so, then started dropping and had a hard time getting past 200 ..
I looked inside (took off side panel) and there was lots of unlit charcoal so I mixed it up ... about 2 hours later with very little difference in temp, I lit more charcoal and added to existing + added NEW to smoker
A few other things to consider ..
I have tried using both Blocks of wood for flavour and soaked wood chips
I have tried smoking with Water in the WATER PAN and without - what is preferred???
Help .. any advice please .. please
THANKS!
BB
I am still new to the smoking world .. Smoker of choice is Weber Smokey Mountain
My main issue is that I am having a hard time maintaining smoker Temperature for any sustainable period of time. The max amount of time my smoker is holding temp for is about 2 hours ..
It seems like my smoker gets to temperature and then dies down after 1 hour or so .. I have tried both the Minion method and just adding hot coals to a full tray of unlit coals ..
When I start, I have most of the lower vents 1/2 to fully open and the top vent just slightly open. I light the coals in Weber starter, and let them all get hot for a good 20-30 minutes.
I am wondering if this is just a charcoal problem? This is the charcoal I have been using ..
"Duraflame 100% natural lump charcoal burns hot and fast to sear in flavor of meat. It lights quickly and easily using a charcoal chimney. Our lump charcoal is environmentally sustainable, made from renewable resources and uses 30% less charcoal per fire than briquettes."
After last weekends attempt (Ribs - 3-2-1 method), I came out frustrated. My heat/temp followed suit from most recent smokes .. got up to temp quite fast (240 ish) .. maintained for 45 minutes or so, then started dropping and had a hard time getting past 200 ..
I looked inside (took off side panel) and there was lots of unlit charcoal so I mixed it up ... about 2 hours later with very little difference in temp, I lit more charcoal and added to existing + added NEW to smoker
A few other things to consider ..
I have tried using both Blocks of wood for flavour and soaked wood chips
I have tried smoking with Water in the WATER PAN and without - what is preferred???
Help .. any advice please .. please
THANKS!
BB