Can u add regular charcoal to a smoker?

[pandemonium]

or does it have to burn for a little while before adding it in? i know when you use lighter fluid you have to let it burn off but am not sure about just adding it in

 

[smokeynose]

pandemonium,
when i start out I use charcoal and lighter fluid and let it cook down as if I were using it as a bbq grill, when they turn white I toss in my wood. When the wood and the rest of the coals cook down i toss in a few more hand fulls of charcoal to keep my temp set.

 

[pandemonium]

ok so i can add more i wasn't sure thanks

 

[smokeynose]

thats what I do and I should go check on mine rigt now. have a good one

 

[smoking gun]

Yes you can as long as it isn't matchlight. The minion method uses the heat from lit charcoal spreading to unlit charcoal to extend the burn time. Basically the same result as adding charcoal. Of course it works better with lump charcoal but I've done it with brikets before and no problems.

 

[smokeynose]

oh hey that charcoal you use isnt the kind with lighter fluid already on it is it?

 

[pandemonium]

yes not instant light i do have royal oak natural wood lump coal that i will use but wasn't sure about regular coal

 

[morkdach]

try a charcoal lighter either electric or chimney. charcoal works great but loose the lighter fluid for sure!!!

 

[bigsteve]

Some folks can taste the charcoal lighting up on their finished food. As the unlits start to burn, they give off a heavy, sort of acrid smell. I can't taste it myself. To me, that means the differance between adding lits or unlits is very subtle, therefore I think you can safely try it both ways without ruining your meal. If you notice a differance, go with the way you prefer.

 

[ddave]

I can't believe I just read that!!!!

Throw away your lighter fluid (or give it to someone you don't like

) and get yourself one of these.



Use it for grilling as well.

Your taste buds will thank you.

Here is a link to a Weber one on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Weber-87886-Ch.../dp/B00004U9VV

Dave

 

[pandemonium]

just went and bought the 15 dollar weber one its gonna be good to me

 

[tasunkawitko]

good move buying the chimney! DDave is right on the money with that advice -

also, what big steve said mirrors my observations and experience exactly.

 

[pandemonium]

wow this thing rocks cant believe i never tried one before thanks guys

 

[ddave]

You're going to really like it. I promise.

Only other thing I would recommend is don't use crumpled up newspaper to light the chimney. You'll have little bits of black ash floating everywhere. I take about 3 paper towels, drizzle a little bit of cooking oil on them (it doesn't take much), wad them up and place them in the bottom of the chimney lighter. Light it in a couple of places and you're set

Good luck.

Dave

 

[mballi3011]

Sure you can add charcoal to your fire as long as it's not that charcoal with fluid in it. I would if I were you invest in a chimmey.

 

[jirodriguez]

I light my chimney(s) on my weber kettle throughout the length of the smoke. Usually have to add one every 2 1/2 to 3 hours. And to help get rid of mess I just tear a layer of an empty charcoal bag

- bags usually have 3 layers of paper, and you can tear off one layer at a time. You only need two pieces that wad up and fit under the chimney without overcrowding it. Keeps my recycling from filling up with charcoal bags!

 

[coyote-1]

I used to start my fire with briquets, but I don't even do that anymore. Anyway, for me it's all lump - and in yesterday's smoke, I didn't even add any of that! I started with a basker of lump with some hickory chunks, and as that burned I added splits of maple and cherry.

 

[eaglewing]

I just hand shred a couple strips of newspaper and lite those...works great.

But Dave is right, at times newspaper does send out bits of ash... no biggie tho.

(not me in the pic...LOL)

 

[solaryellow]

Paper grocery bags also work well to get the chimney started.

 

[gnubee]

Tip for those who have Not used a Charcoal Chimney Yet.
You are in for a treat.

1. They will work way better than you think they will.

2. They will work way faster than you think they will. Faster even than those petroleum impregnated briquettes.

3. They need far less paper to light the charcoal than you think they will.

4. They will become more indispensable to you than you think they will.
A good thing.

5. They are better for the environment due to the non-use of petroleum products to light your fire.

6. I believe that the Chimneys are way safer than using a highly flammible liquid to light a fire.

7. Light a pile of coals with lighter fluid and the edges of only some of the briquettes get white and slowly start to burn before the fluid goes out. Use a Charcoal chimney and all the briquettes start to burn quickly and hotly. Every briquette will be ready to go. You won't have some totally ready and some still black and cold to the touch.

8. Knowing the above information you really have no excuse for not buying one. Even the stainless steel good one is quite cheap.