Temperature

bertscampers

I just finished a long cook and had some charcoal left.  Yesterday I cooked on the egg again so today I thought I would use up the charcoal that was left from the last two cooks and add some old charcoal I cleaned out before the long cook.  The problem is that it is really hard to get the temp up.  I have egg open completely and it is only at 400 dome and that took 45 minutes.  I know the there isn't enough ash to clog it up because I cleaned it up before the long and slow.  Any help would be appreciated.  

Cheers

Hillbilly-Hightech

Did you check the holes in the fire box?  Those guys get ash in them & can adversely affect airflow.  

Also, you may need to add some new lump.

HTH,

HH

bertscampers

Yeah I checked the hole.  I think I just need to use some new lump.   Thanks.

Cheers

Hi54putty

Lack of oxygen. I am 99% sure that's your problem. Poke a coat hanger up through the holes in the fire grate. I bet that will help.

Buckdodger

I made a "wiggle" tool from an old bbq tool set. I clipped one tine off the fork and bent the other one up at a 90*. The fork has a wood handle which gives it support. When I have a slow heat up problem it is usually blocked holes in the fire box grate. I shove the tool into the holes in the grate and wiggle....works for me!