JeffB
TVWBB Pro
In reading some other posts, it occurred to me that perhaps the number of lit coals that go on the unlit coals can (i) affect the temp in the WSM (e.g., more lit coals = higher temps) and (ii) make the unlit burn faster making for shorter cooks. Is there any truth to this?
If true (and I'm not saying it is), I guess the lesson to be learned is on longer cooks you'd want to start with fewer lit coals so your unlit last longer before they are spent.
I've read on this board that some start with as few as 20 lit and others go up to 40 lit. On my first butt smoke I used 35 lit, no water and after 8.5 hours my unlit were still hot but pretty spent. I'm not sure if they would have lasted for a full 12+ hours. The thought was next time (i) keep down the temps a bit and (ii) start with fewer lit.
Thoughts?
If true (and I'm not saying it is), I guess the lesson to be learned is on longer cooks you'd want to start with fewer lit coals so your unlit last longer before they are spent.
I've read on this board that some start with as few as 20 lit and others go up to 40 lit. On my first butt smoke I used 35 lit, no water and after 8.5 hours my unlit were still hot but pretty spent. I'm not sure if they would have lasted for a full 12+ hours. The thought was next time (i) keep down the temps a bit and (ii) start with fewer lit.
Thoughts?