Post Snake Method questions

[tag0401]

Juat wrapped up my first smoke via the snake method in my 22.5 kettle. I am pleased with the results however I was expecting a longer burn time. Most posts I have read seem to have achieved 10 hours or so on a full ring of coals without ends touching of course . I’ll attach a picture of what I started with. By the end of 8hrs I had consumed the ring I started with plus another half ring. I stacked these 2-1 to start. The second half I added were stacked 2-2. Outside temps were 40 degrees and temps got up to 50 by the end of my cook. I was using kingsford blue. Vents wide open to start and bottom vent adjusted to keep temps between 250-300. Any and all suggestions on thing I could’ve done differently to extend burn time is greatly appreciated.

 

[tag0401]

One thing I see from my own picture is with that drip pan I have I really only have 3/4 of a ring. With the half ring I added I really have 1 1/4 of a snake. So time aren’t as bad I thought.

 

[motocrash]

When smoking in my kettle I use a pan,same as in your pic but centered in the kettle,typically with a couple inches of water/wine/applejuice etc.It keeps the temps down and catches drippings.I fill the void all around the pan with charcoal,with a few small wood chunks buried here and there,then I add lit,ashed over coals on either side of the pan ~ 5-8.I also use the grate with the "flip wings",which facilitates easy reloading/adding wood chunks for long smokes like butts.

 

[tag0401]

When smoking in my kettle I use a pan,same as in your pic but centered in the kettle,typically with a couple inches of water/wine/applejuice etc.It keeps the temps down and catches drippings.I fill the void all around the pan with charcoal,with a few small wood chunks buried here and there,then I add lit,ashed over coals on either side of the pan ~ 5-8.I also use the grate with the "flip wings",which facilitates easy reloading/adding wood chunks for long smokes like butts.
View attachment 390808

I like this idea the only thing I hate was refueling the snake. I literally had to remove the rack to add even though I have the flip wings

 

[motocrash]

Just rotate it to add coals where you want them then rotate it back to the original position.
I cut my smoking teeth on a kettle,they aren't the most efficient smokers but they surely can and do get the job done.

 

[tag0401]

Just rotate it to add coals where you want them then rotate it back to the original position.
I cut my smoking teeth on a kettle,they aren't the most efficient smokers but they surely can and do get the job done.

That was my original plan but the pan was in the way and I didn’t want to stir any ash due to the fact I hadn’t wrapped the meat yet. I actually enjoyed smoking on it for sure. Can’t wait to try other techniques.

 

[motocrash]

I actually enjoyed smoking on it for sure. Can’t wait to try other techniques.

 

[Fueling Around]

...
Can’t wait to try other techniques.

After snake, other popular methods are side basket, vortex, and Minion method.
I haven't kettle smoked lately. Mostly use as charcoal grill. Considering an IR diffusion plate to suspend under the cooking grate to augment the Minion method

 

[rastafas]

I think you will get a longer burn time if you use Royal Oak briquettes (or the Walmart or Home Depot version of them). I'd get at least 10 hours out of a full snake and it wasn't unusual to get 11 or 12, but I'm in South Florida, so chilly weather usually isn't a problem.