15 minutes? really?

victor1 · August 2014

Our salesmen said we can starting cooking within 15 minutes as does the info on the royal oak bag. It seems I get a fair fire going but to start that soon sometimes all but puts the fire out. What is a realistic wait period after starting the fire. While I've had very good success with my cooking so far, temp control has been a challenge. Thanks in advance for all of your help.

bud812 · August 2014

Wait till the smoke smells good.

llrickman · August 2014

I usually let mine go lid open for 10 min or so then close lid adjust to temp I'm cooking at by then between me getting stuff ready and getting to temp probably 30 min but this might help ya http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/746823/vent-settings-a-visual-guide

NPHuskerFL · August 2014

You can start cooking immediately if ya want it to taste horrid. +1 when the smoke smells good you're good to go.

Mattman3969 · August 2014

All depends on how you are going to be cooking. Hot and fast like steaks, once you hit temp and smoke smells good you can cook. If it is a low and slow you have to wait for the lump to burn clean and the egg to stabilize. I usually let egg stabilize for 1hr if I have a long cook ahead of me. The amount of burn clean time depends on the lump. Some take longer than other. Royal Smoke for me is in the longer category

nolan8v · August 2014

I normally wait about 30 minutes before I put food on my egg. For me, this is enough time to get the temp stable and the egg heat-soaked.

There may be more efficient ways. however, this is the way that I do it.

Maccool · August 2014

I can get things up and running in 15 minutes using the Eggcellerator. I don't usually do that, though. Gives me enough time to get at least one beer down.

pgprescott · August 2014

Also different starting methods and cleanliness of the egg are factors. If you use an electric element , it will light more quickly than say a lighter cube. There are many factors that dictate the time it takes to be ready to cook. Sometimes I am ready in 15-25 min. Other times it takes me 30-45 to get things where I want them. I say 30 min is about the average. That said, I let my gasser heat up for a decent amount of time, then I clean the grid and let it come back up to temp again. That takes me @ 20-30 as well.

Biggreenpharmacist · August 2014

I can be up and cooking burgers in 15 minutes. I usually can't even have patties made and ready by then but I can definitely have fire ready. And I use electric starter (8 minutes) and ozark oak, another 5or 10 minutes to hit 500 and be ready.

TigerTony · August 2014

Probably more like 30 minutes. I agree with "wait till the smoke smells good".

But with that said, I have had very clean smoke in 15 minutes. Especially with the higher end lumps RW and OO.

So I'd say yes, in some cases 15 min. is doable.

What are you using to light your egg? I suggest a Mapp torch. Hold the flame in three different spots for 15-20 sec each. If your grate holes are clear, no way you should lose the fire.

henapple · August 2014

I can cook on Ozark Oak without lighting it. No voc's.

Mattman3969 · August 2014

Or taking outta the bag??

stemc33 · August 2014

+1 on the OO. I'm just starting my 3rd bag and it's amazing how clean it burns. Basically it pretty much comes down to lighting method on how quick it'll come up to temp. I imagine the guys/gals that use weed burners can probably be up and running within ten minutes if they're cooking burgers and don't really need a stabilized egg.

I use a chimney to light and since switching over to OO, I've noticed initial take off requires me to reload once with newspaper. Once it takes off, it comes up to temp way faster than Royal Oak or BGE lump.

Biggreenpharmacist · August 2014

henapple said:
I can cook on Ozark Oak without lighting it. No voc's.

Ultimate caveman.

Mickey · August 2014

I only use Ozark Oak and 15 mins is 5 mins extra most of the time.

cookingdude555 · August 2014

This:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SolZzjqLAlY

I do this pretty much every time I cook. My grill is ready in whatever charcoal grill I am using faster than my propane grill.

Hi54putty · August 2014

With a weed burner and good charcoal I am cooking in 10-15 minutes from the time I start to light it.

caliking · August 2014

Hi54putty said:

With a weed burner and good charcoal I am cooking in 10-15 minutes from the time I start to light it.

This. Rockwood burns clean the fastest, in my experience.

gpsegg · August 2014

Using starter cubes, I usually put food on 45 minutes after lighting. Smoke smells good and temperature is fairly stable.

lkapigian · August 2014

With my chimney starter and on " Pre Burned RO" 15 minutes is easy..........does not count chimney starter time , 15 minutes is no problem----Yes RO on the first burn does take a little time to burn off VOC's but other than that, it works well for me and is plentiful in my area with most all bags having nice lump

I am @ some point going to order online some OO or Rockword

blind99 · August 2014

I start the fire w 3 paper towel half sheets drizzled with cooking oil. Go inside and prep for ten minutes. Put the grill on, close the lid but leave wheel off, and bottom vent totally open. 5-10 minutes later start dialing in the temp. Ready to cook in 20-30 minutes.

SmyrnaGA · August 2014

If I need to cook fast, I use my stash of bacon soaked paper towel and stand back. Ready to cook in 20-30 minutes (depending if direct or indirect).

15 minutes? really?

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