Fueling the Yoder---Charcoal OK???

[smokin pigskins]

Got a question for all you experts with the big stick burners.  I normally do my cooking on my Masterbuilt XL gasser.  However, my father-in-law recently purchased a new Yoder 24x52 in. smoker and the plan is to use it to smoke some butts for an upcoming party.  My main question is, can a get through this one cook using maybe a minion type method with lump and some hickory chunks for flavor?  Good hardwood is hard to come by in our area and with summer being the busiest time of year for us he has yet to build up any supply of good cooking wood.  So what do you guys think?  Will I be able to maintain decent temps in this size of cooker with this method or am I better off to just fire up our gassers for this job?  Any thoughts/suggestions are much appreciated.  Thanks alot.

 

[danielh]

I think it would get expensive in a hurry, but you'll be able to make it through one cook I'm sure.  I would recommend a good hardwood lump vs. briquettes for the hotter burn and lesser ash production.  Once you get a good hot coal bed you'll be fine.  A few good wood splits would make your job easier..

As far as amount of charcoal?  I'm really not sure.  I've never attempted a whole cook on my 24x48 reverse flow with only charcoal.