How much fuel for 20lb bird on 18.5 WSM?

[Matt Grabill]

First,thanks for everyone's input,this forum has taken my game to new heights! Was volunteered to to smoke a bird this year,there will be traditional oven bird too,but "they" did not hear me when I said a 14lber would be ideal?! I now have to do a 20lb bird.My question is amount of fuel as I expect this to be 4hrs or so at 325 to 350. I see where Chris says 2 lit chimneys are perfect for 12 to 14 lbs,do you all think I'll need more than that? Thanks in advance and Happy Smokesgiving to all !

 

[Dwain Pannell]

I always answer the "how much fuel" question the same way: Fill the ring to the top lip with unlit charcoal of choice and dump a full lit chimney on top of it. When you're done cooking close the vents to reuse the unused charcoal later. This keeps you out of trouble when trying to guess how much to use. Besides there are too many variables that cause you to burn more/less than the next cook in another county, state, time zone, country, hemisphere, etc. due to humidity, temps, wind, rain, snow, etc.

 

[Matt Grabill]

Thanks Dwain,you always give solid advice,will do.Just dropped off smoker for test fit and found out the bird is 23 lbs.Fit no problem so game on !