HH Question


 
M

Matt Mc

New member
Smoked my first turkey today(used chris' apple brine recipe) and it came out absolutely delicious. However, I've done a few HH cooks now and I've had a little difficulty keeping the heat (>325F at dome measurement)up throughout the cooks. I have a 22 and have ever only foiled the water pan, even on low and slow cooks. On my HH cooks I have found the temps dropping from 350F to around 300, shortly after assembly of the cooker even with all the vents open. The temps maintain 300 for 2+ hours but struggle to stay above that. I have used the MM and the standard method of lighting, with the same results(problem). I have noticed that i have alot of ignited, but unspent fuel (have been using just Kblue) at the ned of cooks.

I'm guessing the problem is a lack of oxygen to the coals. I have the new 22, so I can't turn the door upside down. I'm also guessing that lump would burn hotter than Kblue, but i thought that K Blue would be able to burn at those temps. Any insights, suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Matt
 
Matt, Welcome to the forum. You are right about the temps and oxygen. If you want higher temps you gotta get more air in there. There are several methods discussed here besides flipping the door. I personally have added an extra intake and exhaust vent on my WSM. Works great to get htose temps up when wanted. Others just slide the dome off center and that apparently gets the heat rising. I also think that Lump gets hotter, and I always use it for HH cooks.

Good luck, let us know if you find a method that works for you.

Mark
 
Thanks guys. I have looked around the Board and saw some nifty mods for additional intakes (including yours Mark, very nice). I'm gonna toy around with it first and try using lump and offsetting the lid and see how it goes. Thanks again guys, you answered my questions.

Matt
 
I'm a lump user and on HH cooks I tend to have to "prop" the door in order to keep the temp up. It doesn't take much (maybe 1/4 inch) to get the extra airflow. Another option is to leave the lid VERY slightly ajar. Either one will boost the temps.

The big thing I would suggest with briq's is to make sure you give a few extra minutes before assembling. This will give the fire a chance to build a bit before the air supply is restricted.
 
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