More Issues with my ECB

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mike65

Meat Mopper
Original poster
May 26, 2013
244
12
Florida
The plan was to smoke bacon wrapped hotdogs today and kielbasa.  Did the minion method and use small alum cans as smokers.   After placing the charcoal in the charcoal pan, I was hoping the temp would come back down but it went up to 450 degrees.  I took the lid off and noticed the 2 aluminum cans had caught fire
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. Took the smoker body off the charcoal pan and remove the 2 cans.  Please the smoker body back on and was really hoping the temp would come down since the fire was out.  After 20 min the temp went up to 500 degrees.  I stood there thinking wy in the world is this smoker so hot. I took the body off again and move the charcoals around. Temp went down to 325 and was holding for 30 min.  

I still don't know why this ECB is giving me problems.  The mods I have done are no different than the ones online here. 
 
Good morning Mike.  I just saw your post.  When the temp when up and after you put out the fire, did you open the damper on the lid?  One of the biggest problems with ECBs is airflow, that's why we have to modify them so much.  I added a damper on the lid of my Brinkmann and got better results than when I didn't have it.  This weekend the only flare up I had was when my SIL added too many coals to my minion set up and took a while (and removing coals) to bring it down.  Also, are you using wood chunks?  If so you just have to use a few chunks so that you won't get a flame up.
 
Mike;

The cans that caught fire. Did you foil the open end? Foil up the end and poke a couple of holes. Even if it does burn a little it would only be a tiny flame. I do the minion and my ECB never goes above 300?  What did you do with the water pan this time around? What thermo are you using? Pop that puppy off and boil test it to be sure it is accurate. My aftermarket thru the lid thermo is off by 25 degrees...
 
Bob,
Yes I did cover the open end with foil. Did you soak your chips before they went into the can? Water pan - did not use. Thermo - I will need to check.
 
SmokingGMA,

I'm currently using Kingsford charcoal. I do have a small damper but most of my smoke was leaking out around the gasket I have on the lid.

If I didn't like smoking so much and enjoy the outdoors, this ECB would be a nice planter or space shuttle project.
 
I don't soak the chips. When you fill up the chimney to light it, how much charcoal are you using? Is your's the large or regular size chimney starter? I believe the water pan needs to always been in the ECB while it is smoking. Even if you just foil it and put some water in it. That should help keep the temps down. I'm gonna guess that you are starting off with too much charcoal. I only use about a third of a chimney 

I don't think you are using lump, but try only using 5 or 6 briquets to start out and see if that helps too. 

I have found that if I want lower temps then I use water in the water in the foiled pan. If I want 250-270 I foil the pan and use a heat sink. 
 
Bob,

Before I lit the chimney yesterday I placed charcoal on each side of the charcoal pan. I then filled the chimney 1/4 way from the top and lit the papers underneath. It takes around 45 min to and hour before all the charcoal is lit. I then pour the burning charcoals in the center of the charcoal pan and over time the charcoal that was on the side rolls down over the already burned charcoal. I assume this is the minion method.
 
Hi Mike,

How many briquets is 1/4 of a chimney? I can't tell by looking at your pic how big the chimney is. 

For an ECB you are probably better off doing a modified minion / snake so that the charcoal only burns in one direction. I cooked with charcoal a few weeks ago and I only put about 3 handfuls of charcoal in the pan and only a little more than one handful and maybe a half in the chimney. For my chimney, that is about 1/4 to 1/3 full.
 
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