Holding temps on a long cook

[Hijack73]

I agree with @jcam222

I used chunks the size of a coke can to maybe a little thicker - but I always had a good supply of about pill bottle diameter that would burn fast and coal quick OR I would fire up a little lump or a few briquettes on my propane grill side burner if I noticed my bed starting to get skimpy.

1/4 chimney of lump or 20 briquettes on a side burner goes up like a barn fire in about 5 minutes. My smoker was homemade and needed very little coals to maintain - but it took me a while to learn that getting it back to where I wanted it didn't have to be a battle and a short quick spike up is better than 45 minutes of it running at 200 then getting the spike anyways...

 

[Newglide]

I agree with @jcam222

I used chunks the size of a coke can to maybe a little thicker - but I always had a good supply of about pill bottle diameter that would burn fast and coal quick OR I would fire up a little lump or a few briquettes on my propane grill side burner if I noticed my bed starting to get skimpy.

1/4 chimney of lump or 20 briquettes on a side burner goes up like a barn fire in about 5 minutes. My smoker was homemade and needed very little coals to maintain - but it took me a while to learn that getting it back to where I wanted it didn't have to be a battle and a short quick spike up is better than 45 minutes of it running at 200 then getting the spike anyways...

The splits I use are similar in size, mostly tall boy can size. I do have skinnier splits but usually use them if I get a little behind and let the split burn down too far and need to get it back up again.
What it sounds like is my coal bed is burning out and I need to replenish it.
Thanks