Oklahoma Joe Highland race to 250 degrees

quinngarcia

Newbie

Original poster

Apr 7, 2017

13

10

• Jun 11, 2017

• #1

Looking for advice on how to build a fire that gets to 250 and maintaining. I have the smoker mods in place from baffle plate to RTV and gaskets. I build lump charcoal in serpentine formation in metal basket. Basket is suspended about 4 inches above bottom. I place fully lit charcoal in basket and place wood chunks until they light. Close lid and now this is where I need a better plan. Thank you in advance.

 

kam59

Smoking Fanatic

May 2, 2017

515

65

Southeast Texas

• Jun 12, 2017

• #2

I am guessing in order to reach 250° you have to give the cooker enough intake and then it runs away with you?

 

quinngarcia

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Apr 7, 2017

13

10

• Jun 12, 2017

• #3

No. It's getting there that's the issue. I'm thinking I may not be using enough wood. I start with a few chunks but maybe I should use splits. I'm thinking also maybe I'm being too impatient and thinking the thing should get to temp in minutes like some other people state with their cookers. How long does it normally take to get to 250 and what is the setup....logs, splits, chunks, etc.

 

Last edited: Jun 12, 2017

kam59

Smoking Fanatic

May 2, 2017

515

65

Southeast Texas

• Jun 12, 2017

• #4

I would go to splits about 12" long 3" diam. Start with a chimney of lit lump or charcoal with one split on top. Intakes wide open exhaust wide open till she hits 275 then feather the intake back. Let the cooker run up on the first split then catch it on the way down with another split. It should take 45 min to an hour to heat the cooker up. I like my Cookers fully heated and burning clean before I add meat.