best fuel

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kathleen

Newbie
Original poster
Sep 10, 2010
4
10
Santa Ana, California
I bought a new vertical charcoal smoker over the weekend (like a brinkman but a different brand) and used my regular matchlite and cherry wood chips for smoke, but the fire never got as hot as I wanted.  it hovered around 200  any ideas  for better fuel or other things to look for. 
 
Lump charcoal burns hotter than briquettes. Adjusting your vents could help too.

(be careful using the word Matchlight around here)
 
First of all Kathleen, NEVER, EVER use matchlight!  It is verboten.  Most grills and smokers specifically say not to use self lighting charcoal in the operator's manual.

Go with regular Kingsford Blue, or even better Royal Oak or some brand of lump charcoal (burns hotter like Dave said).  I like Mr. Stubbs for briquettes and use Royal Oak for lump.

Also listen to Dave.  Adjust those vents on the bottom, open = more air = more heat.

Good luck and good smoking. Also, 
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 to the SMF.
 
Thanks guys,  I regretted mentioning the "matchlight" the moment I hit the send button.  I knew I'd get a rip on that one.     I know that its not the best choice and I understand that true smoke-lovers can taste the lighter fluid taste.    I'm going to try the Royal Oak this weekend and do a practice run on my Thanksgiving turkey.   I did one years ago and had a really hard time keeping the heat up,  It ultimately came out great but it was an ordeal I don't want to repeat on Turkey Day.   
 
No matchlite, go get you a starter chimney to get your coals going in a minion style method.  As far as temps not getting over 200, get you a good digital therm or an oven therm to check the reliability of the therm on your new smoker.  More than likely it's off.  Very few factory therms are worth their weight.  If your still having trouble with your temps not getting up once you know they are correct, you'll need to get some more air to the fire.  Start by fully opening any exhaust you have on the smoker and fully opening the intakes and see what kind of temps you get with that setup then just back down the intake until you get to the temps you're looking for. 
 
If you are used to using briquetts, you will find a difference.

You already know that Matchlight and starter fluids are not a good thing.

With natural wood (lump) charcoal, you will find it burns hotter and a bit faster.  Briquettes will burn a little longer than lump, but leave more ash.

I still use briquettes for some grilling and just to bring my smoker up to temp for cleaning before adding the meat.  For actually smoking food, I think you will like the lump charcoal much better, even though it is more expensive.

Good luck and good smoking.
 
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