Hey guys i just purchased a brinkmann gourmet charcoal smoker vertical. I smoked a chicken last week it tasted good but I need some help. Iam super new to this so my worst enemy is me opening the lid and me constantly thinking the fire might go out. I loaded the charcoal pan full its about 8 lbs worth and started it. I just purchased a charcoal starter to save time and hassle. The charcoal got grey I threw on some smoke chips and started off. Water pan stayed full, only thing is this brinkmann is great for starters but the tiny door doesn't allow you to get into charcoal pan. So my biggest question is how much charcoal and smoke wood shud I keep adding? After the smoke was done i stirred charcoal pot for shits and giggles and realized a whole hot pan of charcoal that had been covered in its own ash but was red hot. I wanna smoke a pork butt for July 4th but it will take some time. So help please, should I buy a grate to prop up charcoal on or halfway thru take off meat and water pan and stir charcoal and make it hot again. Again the brinkmann is great for me Asa rookie but I foresee this fire going out every 2 hours the way the ash buries it and the lack of air down there. So how much smoker wood should I keep adding and how much charcoal to keep the heat rolling?
Scott
Scott
