How much coal to start with cooking Butt`


 
S

Sonny

New member
How much coals do I put into the smoker to get started cooking say, a 8lbs, butt or shoulder? And when you add more do you just open the door and chunk new coals on top of the pile? Please advise.
 
I always use a full ring, 1/4 chimney of lit for a Minion start When done close all vents and re-use next time.
I should add that's for my 18.5" WSM. If I had the big boy I might use less.

Tim
 
Originally posted by timothy:
I always use a full ring, 1/4 chimney of lit for a Minion start When done close all vents and re-use next time.
I should add that's for my 18.5" WSM. If I had the big boy I might use less.

Tim
Click to expand...

agree with what tim said
 
Sonny, I recommend that you follow Tim's suggestion not only for pork butts but also for ribs and briskets. He has described the most basic and successful method of creating a long burning and easy to manage fire in an 18.5 WSM.

As you learn and become more experienced at fire control and management, you can experiment with using less unlit and/or more lit for your cooks.

Good luck!
 
For butts I too will do a full ring. If doing ribs and I know I will only need 5-6 hours I will go around 3/4 filled.
 
Originally posted by timothy:
I always use a full ring, 1/4 chimney of lit for a Minion start When done close all vents and re-use next time.
I should add that's for my 18.5" WSM. If I had the big boy I might use less.

Tim
Click to expand...

What Tim says. I tend to use less lit but that's just personal preference.
 
Tim speaks the truth! It's better to start with more fuel than you need,and add if you need,than to actually have to add fuel because you need to.
 
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