having a problem with temp/ fuel

[bowhunter3290]

So its been a week since I got my Oklahoma Joe Highland

First time smoking I used Kingsford briquettes 15.40 at 8.94  burned for 12 hours full bag at 225-245 without baffle no fire box, had to keep feeding fire didn't take long to heat up guessing on that because i smoked ribs with 3 mesquite chunks plus the first burn that day 

Second time was Royal Oak lump coal 16.6lb at 11.36 burned 4 hours, full bag 225-245 with baffle and fire box

Third time was just the Walmart grill charcoal briquettes 16.6lb at 5.97 burned half a bag with 1 cherry chucks at 250-275 (for chicken) 5 hours with baffle fire box with minion method took 1 hour and 45 minutes to come up to temp, had air intake almost all the way open

Am I doing something wrong here? that last burn was insanely long to get to temp. with the minion method, didn't work great in the fact it didn't really burn one part then another, I have to fix the basket fire got under the plate and burnt coals next to it. 

Kinsford made a ton of ash i cleaned under grate at the time 4-5 times 

Royal oak cleaned under charcoal box 3 times

Walmart's brand I only cleaned twice 

I want to do a brisket soon and at these times I'm going to need a ton of fuel unless I can get more use from it.

Any suggestions?

 

[lancep]

In my experience, different brands of charcoal have burned at different temps and rates than others. Your best bet is to find a brand that's consistant and stick with it. Also, check for any airflow leakage (smoke pouring out of places it's not supposed to) and seal it up. My, best suggestion, though, would be to pick up some wood and burn splits. Much less ash and wood burns hotter. Probably why your last burn was 25* hotter on average. Sure you have to tend it more but it sounds like you're having to anyway. Best of luck.

Lance

 

[bowhunter3290]

In my experience, different brands of charcoal have burned at different temps and rates than others. Your best bet is to find a brand that's consistant and stick with it. Also, check for any airflow leakage (smoke pouring out of places it's not supposed to) and seal it up. My, best suggestion, though, would be to pick up some wood and burn splits. Much less ash and wood burns hotter. Probably why your last burn was 25* hotter on average. Sure you have to tend it more but it sounds like you're having to anyway. Best of luck.

Lance

i had it that hot for the chicken after it was done i dropped the temp down to 225-245 and held it there, was told to run hotter so the chicken skin would darken 

 

[lancep]

When you were doing the minion method, how many lit coals did you start with?

 

[bowhunter3290]

i believe i had 8 or so 

 

[lancep]

Ok, next time try filling a chimney starter about halfway, put the rest of the bag into the firebox and dump the chimney over that when it's fully lit. See what you get and adjust up or down as desired. sadly, most offsets are not going to get you the fuel economy if say a WSM. I know I had a lot of trouble with charcoal temps in my first offset ( small OK Joe after the buyout) which is why I suggest switching to wood. But it can be done.

Lance

 

[bowhunter3290]

thanks lance, ill try it next time i know i have to fix the walls of my minion box so i might try it when i do pork butt sunday or monday 

 

[lancep]

Well good luck! If you haven't looked yet there is probably every offset mod known to man on this forum. So if you run into an issue, dollars to donuts there's a solution here.

Lance

 

[bowhunter3290]

Well good luck! If you haven't looked yet there is probably every offset mod known to man on this forum. So if you run into an issue, dollars to donuts there's a solution here.

Lance

lol i have done the smoke stack baffles and charcoal box, right off the bat, before i even did my first burn i know i have to seal the main door, it is sealed when i dont use my thermometers but when i use them is leaves that area open 

 

[lancep]

I've seen folks post different grommets for therms, probably a quick search will give you what you're looking for.