Be kind to me

centurion

Newbie

Original poster

Jun 16, 2011

2

10

• Dec 12, 2011

• #1

I'm using a Brinkman, with plain Kingford.  For about a year, I added a thermometer.  I think my temp is a little low, usually it's < 200.  Would I get better(higher) heat if I used lump charcoal?  I did a turkey for the famiily Thankgiving, it was devoured in short order(should'a got a bigger one).  And did my first brisket, yesterday.  I think it could have been better if the heat was a little hotter.  It didn't turn out bad, just not as good as I expected.   

 

SmokinAl

SMF Hall of Fame Pitmaster

Staff member

Moderator

OTBS Member

★ Lifetime Premier ★

Jun 22, 2009

51,390

12,228

Central Florida (Sebring)

• Dec 12, 2011

• #2

Yes lump will burn hotter.

 

alblancher

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

Mar 6, 2009

4,166

66

Louisiana

• Dec 12, 2011

• #3

It's difficult doing a turkey safely with cooking temps under 200 degrees.  Why not check your chamber temps with another thermo.   Normally we raise temps by adding fuel and oxygen.  Open the dampers in the firebox and leave the dampers in the smoke chamber (on top) fully open.  This should raise your temps.    I don't think you have a fuel problem but many of us use charcoal because we think it burns cleaner and has more flavor.

:Let us know,  I'm just kind of looking for more info from you to identify your problem

Al

 

michael ark

Master of the Pit

Feb 11, 2011

2,425

32

Jonesboro Ar

• Dec 12, 2011

• #4

What AL said.

 

tom c

Smoking Fanatic

Aug 26, 2011

450

16

Orlando, FL

• Dec 12, 2011

• #5

Are you using the charcoal pan that came with the Brinkman? If you are it doesn't aloud enough air to get to the coals and prevent the smoker from getting higher temp. If you look at the mods for a Brinkman you will find the charcoal pan is one of the mods, either modifying the pan or replacing it.

 

smokininidaho

Smoking Fanatic

Nov 11, 2011

395

130

N. Idaho

• Dec 12, 2011

• #6

I use Royal Oak lump and one of those wok baskets for a charcoal pan in my Brinkmann and I have no problems with getting the temperatures up. If you can't find lump charcoal the next best thing I've found are the Stubbs all natural charcoal briquettes. I would never use Kingsford unless I had no other choice.

 

mmain1

Newbie

Dec 2, 2011

26

10

Tulsa, OK

• Dec 12, 2011

• #7

Also, has much charcoal are you using?  Full pan?  I haven't used a Brinkman but definitely look into the air holes in the pan and perhaps using more lit charcoals.  It stands to reason that 6 lit coals won't put off as much heat as 20... the more fuel and oxygen the higher the temp you're going to get.

 

frosty

Master of the Pit

Oct 25, 2011

1,666

32

Houston, Texas, USA

• Dec 12, 2011

• #8

I agree "the more fuel and oxygen the higher the temp you're going to get".  But check to see what is causing the air flow to be restricted.  No air will certainly choke the fire. 

There should be lots of WSM modifications on the SEARCH feature.  Check them out and see what works for you.

Keep trying!