Smoked again this afternoon an still had difficulty maintaining heat after just a couple of hours. If I list my process step-by-step, perhaps some of you could pinpoint my mistake(s).
1. Placed 20 coals in my firebox.
2. Lit half a chimney full of coals.
3. Added coals from chimney when red.
4. When coals white, threw on two pieces of mesquite.
After about an hour the temp started to drop, I threw in 5 more coals and a split of wood. Temp. went back up.
After another hour the temp dropped again, I threw in another five coals, but the temp. didn't rise. I threw in a wax starter cube an the heat increased, but only for a short period of time
Less than a half hour later, the temp was below 200 and I couldn't get it to rise at all.
Note: I threw in a mixture of lump coal and Kingsford (I'm still not sold on the lump coal).
I'm not sure if adding wood or coals is the answer.
I'll never be able to do longer smokes if I can't keep the heat up to temp.!
Please advise!!!
Thanks!!!
(Frustrated) Steve
1. Placed 20 coals in my firebox.
2. Lit half a chimney full of coals.
3. Added coals from chimney when red.
4. When coals white, threw on two pieces of mesquite.
After about an hour the temp started to drop, I threw in 5 more coals and a split of wood. Temp. went back up.
After another hour the temp dropped again, I threw in another five coals, but the temp. didn't rise. I threw in a wax starter cube an the heat increased, but only for a short period of time
Less than a half hour later, the temp was below 200 and I couldn't get it to rise at all.
Note: I threw in a mixture of lump coal and Kingsford (I'm still not sold on the lump coal).
I'm not sure if adding wood or coals is the answer.
I'll never be able to do longer smokes if I can't keep the heat up to temp.!
Please advise!!!
Thanks!!!
(Frustrated) Steve
