Charcoal Ring

[Tony Serra]

I was wondering if anyone removes the charcoal ring in order to get more charcoal in the smoker? I haven't done it, but was thinking about it for long cooks. Will it work, or will the fire choke from lack of air?

 

[Ken McCrary]

Haven't tried it myself. Omly drawback I can see will be coals in direct contact with the smoker walls will mean a hotter smoker itself.