Poor Lump Charcoal Performance?

[undertakingyou]

I have a WSM 22.5" smoker. The first few times that I used it I just used Kingsford Charcoal Briquets and some pecan wood I had at the house. It worked great. In fact, it burnt hot enough I had to close the dampers down almost all the way, and it burnt for eight or nine hours.

I then bought some Ozark Oak lump charcoal. Everything that I read said that once you use Lump Charcoal you will never go back to briquets. But every since I have used it I have struggled to keep the heat. I can barely keep it to 200 degrees, even with the dampers fully open. Every 15 minutes or so I have to open it up and stoke the fire. It seems like the lump needs a lot more air.

So, two questions: Is it just that Ozark Oak lump is really worthless? Or is there a trick to getting lump to burn better in the WSM's?

Thanks,

Will--

 

[geerock]

Ozark is a good quality lump (at least it used to be). I don't have a WSM so I can't answer the second question.

 

[undertakingyou]

The Ozark Oak was highly rated, and so I have been surprised by what I am seeing as poor performance. If anyone has any thoughts on how to keep it burning in a WSM that would be much appreciated.