getting up to temp

[dan]

I am on my second attempt with my smokinator. I had lots of problems a couple of weeks ago with getting to temp, temp management, keeping fire lit but solved them all with Don's assistance and the food was amazing.

Today, I added hot coals, water and food at zero hour; it took about 3 hours to come to temp. (weather: 85-90 deg F, slight breeze, 44% humidity) current dome temp is about 230F.

It seems to be cranking right along at the moment; chicken quarters are at 143 and I'm shooting for about 180.

The problem seems to be the start...I was wondering if putting the hot coals in first rather than on top of the cold ones might make matters work better at the start???

Ideas?

[Don Thompson]

Hi Dan,
All you can do is try, it makes sense to me. I put the coals on top to heat the water pan up quickly.
Are you using 16 well lit coals? The original directions had 12 coals for the start up. I have upped it to 16 briquettes after receiving feed back.
You can also open the upper vent to 50% total area which should increase air flow by about 100%. Giving more heat to drive off excess water in the coals and heat the water pan.
All the best.
Don

[bigsteve]

I mentioned in another forum that the one time I had trouble coming up, I'm pretty sure I had spread out the lit coals. I now make sure I pile them together under the pan, and haven't had the problem happen again.

[slider6]

I had temp problems when I first started using the Smokenator. It was due mainly to the fact that it about 20 degrees F out. I BBQ year round. Anyways I've concluded that there's a couple of reasons why one might have problems regardless of exterior temps. First, the vents may need to be opened more, and second is the fuel type and even brand being used. I bought some dollar store charcoal once and it wouldn't burn for crap. I've found Kingsford briquettes to be pretty reliable. I also mix in lump charcoal and hardwood chunks. Lump burns faster and easier than briquettes. The briquettes provide more stablilty.

Try using a chimney starter to light briquettes first, then dump then onto a bed mixture of lump and chunks of wood. It will get so hot you'll have to damp it down.

[delapaco]

I use about 15 coals well lit. I spread em out evenly. I start with boiling water. Takes me no more than 15-30 min to get the temp up. I cook in dry environment.

Have you checked your thermometer readings?

[gumby]

I start with boiling water too. And when I have to add water, it's also boiling. It's so easy doing it from an electric jug and you don't waste kettle heat boiling the new water each time. I find it keeps the temp very stable.