important question concerning my low and slow BButts

gooddogjudge

I'm using Wicked Good Weekend Warrior coals and expecting a 14-16 hour cook...do I use enough coals to reach midpoint of the ring (I think that's what it's called) before I put my platesetter legs up?

bigguy136

I use Royal Oak and I fill my fire box to the top and 23 hours at 225°, it's almost gone. I would add a little more than chance running out. You can put the fire out when you are done and use the left-overs.

gooddogjudge

i guess my question is whether the fire box includes the ring or do you fill to the bottom of the ring?

bigguy136

Yes, with ring. When I put my platesetter (legs up), I have to move the lump around some as the platesetter is hitting some of the lump before it sits on the ring.

gooddogjudge

thanks bigguy.  that's the answer i was looking for!

The Cen-Tex Smoker

wow- that is really high. I go to the bottom of the ring and have 25% left over after 24 hrs. Not to say that it's not right, just never loaded it that much.

bigguy136

I guess I have about 2 hours setting up and getting the temps good and then the cook time. Here is a thread of a shoulder I did. I filled the box so the plate setter hit it. The last photo in the thread shows how much lump was left.

http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1135987/bigguys-first-overnight-boston-butt#latest

 

Mighty_Quinn

I'm not really sure how it compares to the level of the platesetter, but I use the spider (in the "legs down" position) with a stone in it for my low and slow indirect cooks, and the lump is almost or pretty much touching the bottom of the stone....always have a bunch left so i guess it isn't necessary for me to fill that much, but I never have to think about running out of lump.