So . . . had a pleasant Sunday planned. Five pounds of CS ribs from Costco rubbed with Jeff's rub Saturday night to put on the smoker on Sunday. Figured I would start early and take my time. No pressure to finish by dinnertime. Trying out lump for the first time . . . Cowboy . . . as that's all I have been able to find so far in my area except for Best of the West (which Nakedwhiz says is even worse than Cowboy).
Was somewhat cool here (60s) though not as cool as I have heard some people contending with. Started off okay, one chimney of lit dumped on top of about a chimney and a half of unlit. Came up to temp reasonably soon, put the meat on, turned on the stereo (newly installed patio speakers on Saturday sound great but that's another story) and started baby sitting the smoker. Breeze came up a little but still temps seemed to hold okay. Added another lit chimney occaisonally but never had the firebox damper less than 75% open.
Couple hours in then the wind changed direction and seemed to get colder. Damn thermometer reading pit temp looked like a countdown timer. Lit another chimney and dumped it on, left firebox door open but still struggled with temps. Decided to say hell, with it and fired up the gas grill. With one burner on got the off burner side and started to put the meat on but there was not enough room, so into the oven it went.
Ribs came out okay but the ordeal was frustrating. I figure in the future I will do one of the following:
a) different lump
b) MORE lump (had plenty of room in the charcoal basket)
c) ask the wife and kids for an Afterburner for Father's Day.
Oh well, chalk it up to experience I guess.
Dave
Was somewhat cool here (60s) though not as cool as I have heard some people contending with. Started off okay, one chimney of lit dumped on top of about a chimney and a half of unlit. Came up to temp reasonably soon, put the meat on, turned on the stereo (newly installed patio speakers on Saturday sound great but that's another story) and started baby sitting the smoker. Breeze came up a little but still temps seemed to hold okay. Added another lit chimney occaisonally but never had the firebox damper less than 75% open.
Couple hours in then the wind changed direction and seemed to get colder. Damn thermometer reading pit temp looked like a countdown timer. Lit another chimney and dumped it on, left firebox door open but still struggled with temps. Decided to say hell, with it and fired up the gas grill. With one burner on got the off burner side and started to put the meat on but there was not enough room, so into the oven it went.
Ribs came out okay but the ordeal was frustrating. I figure in the future I will do one of the following:
a) different lump
b) MORE lump (had plenty of room in the charcoal basket)
c) ask the wife and kids for an Afterburner for Father's Day.
Oh well, chalk it up to experience I guess.
Dave