New one for me

MasterMason

I was cooking a couple of butts. Started last night and now sitting at 188, it was up to 191, and then the dome and grate temps started dropping on me, I opened it all the way up was tapping the bottom grate to get any stuck ash out, blowing in the bottom, and it wouldn't go above 225 dome. Finally after an hour of this, I figured i would pull it apart and find out what was happening, I only had about a cup full of coals left. Guess I didn't do as good a job of building the fire in the first place this time. Guess thats why this is so much fun, because I get to learn every time.

tach18k

MasterMason, sounds like the fire was good, just not enough lump. You need to fill the thing up just past the top of the fire box. Then only light in one place like the center.

Sigmore

MasterMason, If you can barely get the grate in without sitting on the coals you're there. You won't waste coals, they just get used the next time.

locolongball

MasterMason,[p]Same thing happened to me on my last alnighter. I saved it with some more fuel. I filled it up 1/2 way up the fire ring. However, I did use a lot of small pieces. I was at the bottom of my back. Finished the cook and turned out great...however.. Lesson learned. ;-)