Quick, Maintaining Temp with a Sportsman Smoker

[f14tomcat5]

I'm about an hour and a half into smoking a 6.5lb pork shoulder in a Brinkmann Sportsman. I got the smoker up to temp, 225 - 250F, and then put in the water pan and meat. The smoker dropped off to about 170F and it not getting back into the 225F range. I have not done any of the pan mods yet. Any thoughts? I'm using "lump charcoal", even though most seems to be smaller pieces. I have the vent door open hoping to get more air into the coals. HELP!!!!

 

[themule69]

Did you start with Hot water in the pan?

Happy smoken.

David

 

[Bearcarver]

I never put liquid in my MES Water pan, but if you have to do it, Like David mentioned, heat it good first, like Nuke it to 200* or so first.

Bear

 

[f14tomcat5]

It was hot water. I put another thermometer in the gap between the lid and side and it appears its between 225 and 250. It looks like I have some modsto do .