Going to add a bit of charcoal to a butt smoke, have a question

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mrbrillo

Newbie
Original poster
Dec 30, 2011
2
10
I have a 30'' MES and I'm going to smoke two 7 lb butts for a new years party. I've been searching the forum to get more info on how to get a bit of a smoke ring as well as better bark. I'm going to try adding some charcoal to the smoke at the beginning, but I have a question about how to add the briquettes. 

I'm using some Kingsford briquettes which are kinda large for the wood chip adder. Should I simply break up the briquettes into smaller chunks? Do you add them internally before the wood? From my read of the forms it sounds like folks add several briquettes but I'm not sure how that could fit in the MES wood tray.

Thanks for your help.
 
Most guys will use small pieces of lump charcoal. If all you have is briquettes then just take a hammer & smash one & take a few pieces & put it in the chip tray.
 
Most guys will use small pieces of lump charcoal. If all you have is briquettes then just take a hammer & smash one & take a few pieces & put it in the chip tray.


I'm experimenting this morning  and did just that. I'm smoking a Brisket cut in half for a NYE party and I'm just took a regular kingsford briquette and wrapped in several times in a paper towel and took a hammer to it 2-3 times. I end up with my biggest piece being about a half inch and a bunch of smaller pieces. Picked them out and added the to the smoker and threw the charcoal dust and napkin away.
 
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