best fuel

kathleen

Newbie

Original poster

Sep 10, 2010

4

10

Santa Ana, California

• Oct 24, 2012

• #1

I bought a new vertical charcoal smoker over the weekend (like a brinkman but a different brand) and used my regular matchlite and cherry wood chips for smoke, but the fire never got as hot as I wanted.  it hovered around 200  any ideas  for better fuel or other things to look for. 

 

s2k9k

AMNPS Test Group

Sep 8, 2011

11,324

182

SEUSA

• Oct 24, 2012

• #2

Lump charcoal burns hotter than briquettes. Adjusting your vents could help too.

(be careful using the word Matchlight around here)

 

pgsmoker64

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

Apr 23, 2010

3,402

81

Prince George, Va.

• Oct 24, 2012

• #3

First of all Kathleen, NEVER, EVER use matchlight!  It is verboten.  Most grills and smokers specifically say not to use self lighting charcoal in the operator's manual.

Go with regular Kingsford Blue, or even better Royal Oak or some brand of lump charcoal (burns hotter like Dave said).  I like Mr. Stubbs for briquettes and use Royal Oak for lump.

Also listen to Dave.  Adjust those vents on the bottom, open = more air = more heat.

Good luck and good smoking. Also, 

 to the SMF.

 

kathleen gefre

Newbie

Sep 2, 2011

21

10

Santa Ana. Ca * San Antonio Norte Mx

• Oct 25, 2012

• #4

Thanks guys,  I regretted mentioning the "matchlight" the moment I hit the send button.  I knew I'd get a rip on that one.     I know that its not the best choice and I understand that true smoke-lovers can taste the lighter fluid taste.    I'm going to try the Royal Oak this weekend and do a practice run on my Thanksgiving turkey.   I did one years ago and had a really hard time keeping the heat up,  It ultimately came out great but it was an ordeal I don't want to repeat on Turkey Day.   

 

bruno994

Master of the Pit

Dec 19, 2011

1,319

63

Buna, Texas

• Oct 25, 2012

• #5

No matchlite, go get you a starter chimney to get your coals going in a minion style method.  As far as temps not getting over 200, get you a good digital therm or an oven therm to check the reliability of the therm on your new smoker.  More than likely it's off.  Very few factory therms are worth their weight.  If your still having trouble with your temps not getting up once you know they are correct, you'll need to get some more air to the fire.  Start by fully opening any exhaust you have on the smoker and fully opening the intakes and see what kind of temps you get with that setup then just back down the intake until you get to the temps you're looking for. 

 

venture

Smoking Guru

OTBS Member

Aug 1, 2008

6,948

73

Central California

• Oct 25, 2012

• #6

If you are used to using briquetts, you will find a difference.

You already know that Matchlight and starter fluids are not a good thing.

With natural wood (lump) charcoal, you will find it burns hotter and a bit faster.  Briquettes will burn a little longer than lump, but leave more ash.

I still use briquettes for some grilling and just to bring my smoker up to temp for cleaning before adding the meat.  For actually smoking food, I think you will like the lump charcoal much better, even though it is more expensive.

Good luck and good smoking.