Small Cooks on the XL

Currently only own an XL for our family. Wife and two young kids. Personally I just cook with a full load, when finished just close her up. Doing steaks, burgers, fish etc, I can cook about 4 meals before I need to reload. Because of this I have not looked into a lump reducing ring or other items. I am looking at adding a medium though. More to take to the lake, but I am sure I would use it when it is just the family.

I only have an XL as well.  I had the same concerns about coal usage.  I noticed it is actually pretty efficient. I  now use the same routine for all.  After each cook I take a 1x2 and push the remaining coals around to get the ash to drop through and then refill with fresh lump.  Light in one to three spots depending on if it is a direct cook or indirect (indirect I light one spot).  Once done cooking I seal her up and let the coals go out.  

I use the CGS Lump Reducing Ring on my XL most of the time.  I'm not sure the reason is really to save lump.  The XL doesn't really use that much, as others have said.  I like it because if I'm doing a small direct cook, it takes less time for the lump to be lit.  It's pretty darn quick.  It works well with the Woo2 for searing also.  For a few steaks, chops, or spatchcock chicken it works great, even with veggies.  I've even used it on turbo ribs - it will easily go much longer than a couple hours at 350. 

I'm with the other guys, just cook what your cooking and shut it down. No need to spend money on lump reducers. Just cap it and shut the bottom vent.

I bought the angle L brackets from the ceramic grill store and I would STRONGLY recommend those.  It lets you split the firebox any way you like.  You can cut it in half and use half for direct other half for indirect.  You can make 75% direct and 25% indirect. Tons of times I have direct cooked something over the fire and but a pan of vege's or corn or something else of indirect side.  You also have a spot for something that has gotten too much fire and is about to burn.  Drastically saves lump, still cooks great and I don't notice much if any time getting up to temp with less charcoal.  You get great airflow with less charcoal loaded.  Again, I would definitely consider this option.  I have loved it. I also preferred the brackets over the ring because I feel the give you more flexibility.  Go the CGS and check them out. 

Let me start out by saying I love my XL. I have the same family dynamic as you (wife and two small kids). Since I am a penny pincher I do the easiest thing possible. After each cook I stir the lump and then push it all to the back of my egg. Basically the lump for the most part stays where you put it. It also makes my XL more versatile by giving me direct and indirect zones. When my small stash of coal needs it I just dump in a little extra coal and pile it on the one side. It still heats up just as fast and I am not wasting unnecessary BTU's by lighting the entire bottom full of lump. Trust me on this one.

I have a XL and the angle bracket as well and they work great. I often use them to direct and indirect at the same time.
Chuck
Dimondale , Michigan
www.chuckkingcomedy.com

I have an XL  lump reducing ring,  I have used the ring 4 or 5 times in 4 years.  if I want a small load of lump or the fire localized to an area,  I just push it all to the from or rear before starting.  Don't think it is necessary. I wish I would have bought a bottle of Patron instead.  ,

I just close up the egg, and I usually get 4 or 5 cooks out of a load. 

 

I have the lump reducing ring which I use often, but like others push to the back for direct/indirect. Works great

I have the lump reducing ring. I use it from time to time. It works best for wok and searing right over the coal cooking. 

I only have an XL and do the same as many here. I light the whole thing and snuff it out when I'm done cooking. Stir it up, add some lump and cook again the next time.

Just pile the coals on one side and cook over that. No extra metal needed. I do use my medium much more than my XL. Medium is a great size for most meals for 4 people.