My first time

stevetheteacher

Meat Mopper

Original poster

May 29, 2015

269

18

Pennsauken, NJ

• May 31, 2015

• #1

I brought the laptop outside and am typing this while attempting my first smoking endeavor. I am having a major problem bringing the temps up to about 225. I have thrown NINE cube starters in the fire box at various times. Shortly thereafter, the temp would hit 225 but then drop to about 150. This has happened several times thus far.

I think part of the problem is not using enough charcoal initially. Plus, I'm still not sure exactly when to add the wood. The charcoal I'm using is Royal Oak lump coal; maybe Kingsford might be easier. What do you all use as an accelerant?

Any tips and/or advice is greatly appreciated as always!

Thanks,

Steve

 

stevetheteacher

Meat Mopper

Original poster

Thread starter

May 29, 2015

269

18

Pennsauken, NJ

• May 31, 2015

• #2

Oh, I have the vent and the chimney stack both fully opened and the fire box lid closed. Is this right?

 

bluewhisper

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

Apr 1, 2014

3,587

455

Columbus Ohio

• May 31, 2015

• #3

Sounds like your vents are set right, when mine gets too hot I choke it with the firebox intake but the exhaust is always wide open. Some here have said they close the exhaust when they're going to open the firebox door, to avoid a purge of cold air.

Do you have a charcoal basket? That's a great help in loading a lot of fuel at the start, much better than pouring a heap onto the OEM wire rack.

What are these cubes? That doesn't sound familiar.

 

stevetheteacher

Meat Mopper

Original poster

Thread starter

May 29, 2015

269

18

Pennsauken, NJ

• May 31, 2015

• #4

I don't have a charcoal basket, but would like to get one. However; I have no idea where to find one. I have checked in my local Walmart and Home Depot.

The cubes are called Lighter Cubes and they are made by Weber. As far as I know they are supposed to be an alternative to fluid.

Thanks,

Steve

 

tropics

Epic Pitmaster

OTBS Member

★ Lifetime Premier ★

Jun 25, 2014

14,735

6,480

Attleboro,Ma

• May 31, 2015

• #5

stevetheteacher said:

 
I don't have a charcoal basket, but would like to get one. However; I have no idea where to find one. I have checked in my local Walmart and Home Depot.

The cubes are called Lighter Cubes and they are made by Weber. As far as I know they are supposed to be an alternative to fluid.

Thanks,

Steve

Click to expand...

stevetheteacher said:

 
I don't have a charcoal basket, but would like to get one. However; I have no idea where to find one. I have checked in my local Walmart and Home Depot.

The cubes are called Lighter Cubes and they are made by Weber. As far as I know they are supposed to be an alternative to fluid.

Thanks,

Steve

Click to expand...

Steve you can make one fairly easy,get a piece of expanded metal from lowes or HD I made a round one for my mini

100_1810.JPG

• tropics
• May 31, 2015

I used a Dremel to cut my metal. a few SS screws

 

robcava

Meat Mopper

May 20, 2015

167

21

CT

• May 31, 2015

• #6

How is the fire burning? Are the coals red an ashing? If the the coals aren't burning well, is there decent airflow under them in the firebox? I'm not sure how the firebox is set up in the brinkman, but if the rack that you put the coals on has a wide grid and you are using lump coal the little pieces and shake can fall through and really limit the burn.

Also are you using water bath? That could also be keeping your temp down, especially if you keep refilling it.

 

tropics

Epic Pitmaster

OTBS Member

★ Lifetime Premier ★

Jun 25, 2014

14,735

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Attleboro,Ma

• May 31, 2015

• #7

You may be better off with some KBB and a Chimney 

 

robcava

Meat Mopper

May 20, 2015

167

21

CT

• May 31, 2015

• #8

Post a pic of what's going on in the firebox

 

bluewhisper

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

Apr 1, 2014

3,587

455

Columbus Ohio

• May 31, 2015

• #9

If you build your own basket, avoid galvanized steel, because of the zinc.  I made mine from a dog crate door and some thick wire. I need to improve the sides because fuel can still slip out.

firebasket1.jpg

• bluewhisper
• May 31, 2015

In the firebox

firebasket2.jpg

• bluewhisper
• May 31, 2015

 

robcava

Meat Mopper

May 20, 2015

167

21

CT

• May 31, 2015

• #10

Nice basket. I need to make one. I modified my bottom grate a few years back but the baskets are so much more convenient.

 

robcava

Meat Mopper

May 20, 2015

167

21

CT

• May 31, 2015

• #11

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/200293/long-time-lurker-looking-for-some-good-advice#post_1385635

Read the description of what the water pan can do in this thread. Noboundry describes it beautifully.

 

stevetheteacher

Meat Mopper

Original poster

Thread starter

May 29, 2015

269

18

Pennsauken, NJ

• May 31, 2015

• #12

I would love to make one but (embarrassingly enough) I'm not handy at all. Wish I were!!!