*****HELP******Temperature Issue

[devildog]

I have a char-grill pro w/mods, weather condition were overcast and windy, I was using lump w/ hickory chunks, Was able to get the temp to 225 but was very hard to maintain, never dropped below 220 but used alot of fuel to maintain...I had the smoke box vent wide open and the smoke stack wide open...Anyone have any tips....Barely got my butt to 170 before foiling and pulling it off before the thunder and lightning. It is finishing up in the oven.

David

 

[richtee]

Close the top vent down a bit and get a windbreak... and don't let it get wet.

 

[mossymo]

Are your coals on the grate being suffacated below the grate by ashes? That is my first thought besides wind robbing the heat, if so there a windbreak would help.

 

[smoking gun]

What brand of lump? some burn hotter than others. I usually leave my stack about 3/4 open and start with the FB about 1/2. I have been using Royal Oak and Frontier Brand lump and have to close down ths FB damper to stay below 250 once it gets going.

 

[devildog]

I am using "Cowboy" brand lump, that is all that I have been able to find in this area.

 

[smoking gun]

I've heard some bad things about "Cowboy" lump but have never used it myself. There is a review here...

http://nakedwhiz.com/lumpdatabase/lumpbag6.htm

There's reviews of different lump here...

http://nakedwhiz.com/lumpindexpage.htm?bag

I found Royal Oak made in USA here at walmart but only at a couple of the local walmarts. (there's about 6 in a 25 mile radius) Found Frontier brand at Meijers. Keep looking. Some home depot stores carry lump.