too much charcoal

[Ed Jones]

I'm doing my first smoke on my new WSM tomorrow. I'm going to do 3 racks of back ribs, and one or two boston butts (havent decided yet). I'm not sure how much charcoal to use, so would there be a problem lighting a chimney full of charcoal, dumping it into the ring, then filling with unlit charcoal to the top of the ring? I'm hoping the excess load won't create too much heat, but rather I'll just have coals left over. Any thoughts?

Or, if you can recommend a proper amount of charcoal to use I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!

 

[Bryan S]

If you're just doing ribs you don't need a full ring of charcoal. If you're going to butts and ribs then use the minion method. And be sure to get the butts on early figure 2 hours a pound for the butts. Happy smoking /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

 

[Guest]

I agree with Bryan, Minion method is the only way to go if doing butts. If you do not want to try that though... I always use a full ring of charcoal and shut it down when done. you can reuse what you you don't burn. Whenever I try and add charcoal I always have temp control problems.

 

[Ed Jones]

Thanks for the advice. I do plan to start the butt(s) early and then add the ribs about 5 hours before dinner time. I'll do the minion method. It seems easier than what I had planned

Ed

 

[Guest]

Ed, I did Butts for the first time just last week. I used the Minion method with the charcoal chamber 3/4 full, and the coals were just about burned out when I pulled off the butts. I should have cooked them longer, so bottom line, use a full chamber to be safe. Happy Smoking! /infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif