Fire question.....

[inkjunkie]

Can't help but notice that my Drum will burn pretty much straight down. Last I used I lit it with a fire starting block. It was using the area right around it for heat. Looked like it burned like this til it hit the bottom of the basket. When I was wrapping the butt to take it off the basket flared up...from the very bottom. Still had quite a bit of unburned chunks/briquettes covering the top half of the basket. This normal? If so can someone explain why? Just curious.

 

[themule69]

I've never noticed that however I don't open the lid after I get it going. I have never had unburnt on the top when I am finished but I have had unburnt below it.

Happy smoken.

David

 

[daveomak]

Sounds as if you had enough fuel for several more hours of cooking....

With the fire burning downward, are your air inlets low on the sides of the UDS.... Usually fire burns toward the air supply... As it burns, it should burn the fuel on the top of the pile...

 

[timberjet]

I have never used a starter brick but maybe it dripped flamable stuff downward and the fire followed it down? Heck I don't know. I use a chimney starter with about a dozen lit Briquettes spread out on top to one side of the basket and it slowly burns down and out.

 

[inkjunkie]

I've never noticed that however I don't open the lid after I get it going. I have never had unburnt on the top when I am finished but I have had unburnt below it.
Happy smoken.
David

Only time I had opened it was to take the meat off.

Sounds as if you had enough fuel for several more hours of cooking....

With the fire burning downward, are your air inlets low on the sides of the UDS.... Usually fire burns toward the air supply... As it burns, it should burn the fuel on the top of the pile...

I did have enough fuel for several more hours. I actually relit it later that day to make the beans. After extinguishing that time the basket is still not even half burnt.
I did put the intakes in-line with the bottom of the basket. If I remember correctly I asked about it. Sort of made sense that they should be at the bottom. I may add 1 intake in-line with the top of the basket Just to see what happens.

I have never used a starter brick but maybe it dripped flamable stuff downward and the fire followed it down? Heck I don't know. I use a chimney starter with about a dozen lit Briquettes spread out on top to one side of the basket and it slowly burns down and out.

With the goofy way I put a handle on it I can't use a chimney to light it. I put a piece of rebar thru 2 opposing corners. I am going to be making a shelf for it soon. When I do this I am planning on changing the handle. Few folks have said they use the handle from a 5 gallon paint bucket. Any thoughts?

 

[fwismoker]

Yea so many variables such as the basket size and shape, how much fuel, how you light the fire, and the airflow inside the drum.

Everybody's setup is gonna be different and like i said how they set up the burn will vary too.

 

[timberjet]

Doug, I have Weber hinged grates in mine. I can add coals or wood at will without messing with anything. Also I start the fire with the basket out of the drum and lower it in with a fireplace poker with the hook part. Works like a charm. I figure I want to shake the ash out before getting her going anyway so I do it this way. Never failed me yet and if you don't let it get going too hot you can keep the hair on your arms.

 

[inkjunkie]

Doug, I have Weber hinged grates in mine. I can add coals or wood at will without messing with anything. Also I start the fire with the basket out of the drum and lower it in with a fireplace poker with the hook part. Works like a charm. I figure I want to shake the ash out before getting her going anyway so I do it this way. Never failed me yet and if you don't let it get going too hot you can keep the hair on your arms.

Really stupid question......with the hinged grates what do you do with the food?

 

[timberjet]

Really stupid question......with the hinged grates what do you do with the food?

scoot it over silly. To be honest I hardly have to use them. Once I load her up she is good to go.

 

[inkjunkie]

scoot it over silly. To be honest I hardly have to use them. Once I load her up she is good to go.

Can't say I didn't warn you about it being stupid....