Keeping it lit

[MarkHerman]

Why so hard to keep coals going? I'm using a homemade tool to clear passageway in coal with little success. It lights, gets to about 88 degrees and then nose dives. From now on I will never fill the coal bin til the few starter coals are roaring hot. A real PITA!

 

[TNJAKE]

Knowing what smoker you have will help us help you better....... welcome from Tennessee

 

[SmokingUPnorth]

Like TJ asked. What’s your set up?

 

[MarkHerman]

Why so hard to keep coals going? I'm using a homemade tool to clear passageway in coal with little success. It lights, gets to about 88 degrees and then nose dives. From now on I will never fill the coal bin til the few starter coals are roaring hot. A real PITA!

Masterbuilt gravity feed. Finally resorted emptying the coal stack substantially and lighting coals with a weber chimney. That did it.

 

[MarkHerman]

Knowing what smoker you have will help us help you better....... welcome from Tennessee

Masterbuilt gravity feed 560.

 

[TNJAKE]

Masterbuilt gravity feed 560.

Cool I can't help with that but there are several around here with that smoker. C Chasdev I believe can get you some answers

 

[912smoker]

Did you remove the slides and what type of fire starter did you use ? The MB firesarters are great and provide a quick start up

 

[MarkHerman]

Cool I can't help with that but there are several around here with that smoker. C Chasdev I believe can get you some answers

Slides removed from the get go. I'm assuming it's in the lighting of the firebox with semisolid starter, etc. I resorted to Bernzomatic and that failed. Offloading the coal and starting the coal in a weber style chute did the trick. Once this brisket finishes tomorrow, I'll cool it down and empty the stack completely.

 

[912smoker]

I never could seen to get a good light with the tumbleweed style. Couldn't make them fit in the slot properly but switched to the MB squares and problem solved. I'm sure similar brands will also work just as well. Just light up, leave the ash door open and open the hopper lid 'till you get a good smoke. Close doors and you should be fine. Let us know tomorrow and show us that brisket!
And welcome to SMF from SE Ga

 

[Bigheaded]

I just got a 560 a few days ago. Haven't "used it" yet, but did 2 burn ins and a seasoning. So I've lit it 3 times. 1 Kamodojoe firestarter and the Kingsford charcoal's lit within a minute. I'm not a grilling/smoking guy whatsoever, so I'd say there's maybe something wrong with yours. I got mine to light 3/3 and my skill level's like 1-3% lol. Do you have the top and bottom doors open? I leave mine open for about a minute and when I see good smoke coming from both I turn the controller on set the temp and close the doors.

Since I have basically no experience with this I can't help much, but mine works as it should, and it's easy. There are experts here so I'm sure they'll help you get things figured out. If you live by a Walmart, and if you don't have a problem shopping there I think most locations have the MB firestarters in stock.

 

[MarkHerman]

I never could seen to get a good light with the tumbleweed style. Couldn't make them fit in the slot properly but switched to the MB squares and problem solved. I'm sure similar brands will also work just as well. Just light up, leave the ash door open and open the hopper lid 'till you get a good smoke. Close doors and you should be fine. Let us know tomorrow and show us that brisket!
And welcome to SMF from SE Ga

Thanks for the advice. I was clearly not leaving bottom and top doors open.

 

[912smoker]

You'll get it !
i forgot to pull the slides on mine last night......it happens lol

 

[MarkHerman]

You'll get it !
i forgot to pull the slides on mine last night......it happens lol

It's so counterintuitive to how one builds a fire. But I read the manual and that's what I came away with. Thanks.

 

[MarkHerman]

It's so counterintuitive to how one builds a fire. But I read the manual and that's what I came away with. Thanks.

I bought a second hand vision grill that instructs the user to open everything. Then close gates to lower temperature. Just not thinking straight. That was my only complaint about the MB 560 and it was human error from the beginning.

 

[BBQ Bird]

I've used my 800 about 6 times now and haven't had any problems getting the coals started. I do the paper towel soaked in vegetable oil trick that the Backyard BBQ YouTube channel suggests.

Just make sure to remove the slides, leave the hopper lid and ash tray door open, and let it go for about 5-10 minutes. Then close the doors and turn on the controller. It works great.

 

[MarkHerman]

I've used my 800 about 6 times now and haven't had any problems getting the coals started. I do the paper towel soaked in vegetable oil trick that the Backyard BBQ YouTube channel suggests.

Just make sure to remove the slides, leave the hopper lid and ash tray door open, and let it go for about 5-10 minutes. Then close the doors and turn on the controller. It works great.

My technique did not include leaving ash and chimney doors open. Now that I know I'll likely never encounter this problem again. Thank you.