I have tried the Minion Method now 4 times in the Trailmaster LE and the results are not what I expected.
I'm using Lump charcoal from The Original Charcoal Company and when I load up the basket and pour a chimney of coals on top all I get is a super hot raging file until it burns down and then I can hold a decent temp. I usually have the damper on the SFB closed and I sometimes have to close the chimney down 1/4 of the way to keep it from raging out of control.
Last weekend I had 3/4 of a bag in the basket and it only lasted 4 hours before I had to add more. After that I only added handfuls at a time to maintain consistent temps.
I have sealed the firebox with hi-temp caulk and tried to put gaskets on the ash drawer and firebox door but they fell off almost immediately after the unit cooled down (most likely operator error on that front).
Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I'm using Lump charcoal from The Original Charcoal Company and when I load up the basket and pour a chimney of coals on top all I get is a super hot raging file until it burns down and then I can hold a decent temp. I usually have the damper on the SFB closed and I sometimes have to close the chimney down 1/4 of the way to keep it from raging out of control.
Last weekend I had 3/4 of a bag in the basket and it only lasted 4 hours before I had to add more. After that I only added handfuls at a time to maintain consistent temps.
I have sealed the firebox with hi-temp caulk and tried to put gaskets on the ash drawer and firebox door but they fell off almost immediately after the unit cooled down (most likely operator error on that front).
Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.