How much lump in an XL?

Ozzie_Isaac

I have seen this question asked.  I now have an answer:  17lbs

Starting with a totally empty XL I used 17lbs of Rockwood to bring it up level with the notches on the fire ring.  The Woo2 and stone actually rested a little on the lump and I had to wiggle it to sit flat.

Btw, I moved the scraps from the XL into my medium before I did this (still hot no less) and it was like trying to fit 10lbs of manure in a 5lb bag.  I didn't realize how much lump it takes just to cover the fire grate in an XL.

Grillmagic

Your XL must be bigger than mine, I'm at 7 to 10 pounds max. I just did a 12.62 pound Packer that took less than a half of a 20 pound bag of GFS lump and I still have 1/3 of the lump left.

Ozzie_Isaac

20lb bag, totally empty egg.  Filled it up and packed it in.  3lbs left in the bag.

Did a 17hr cook no issues, haven't checked to see what is left.

Usually I just top off.  Every 5hrs of cook or so I have to add a few pounds.  This one I wanted to start like I've seen recommended.  Placed lump carefully and filled her up.

Ladeback69

17 pounds may be possible, I have come close.  I only load up to about that high when I do a low and slow.  You should be good for a bunch of cooks for a whil

Ragtop99

Never used more than half a bag and had plenty left over after the cook.

SmokeyPitt

I don't think Ozzie is saying you have to put that much in there...I think he is just saying it is the max capacity it will hold.  

I bet with 17 lbs you could run it for like 48 hours if you wanted to. 

Ozzie_Isaac

Yes, @SmokeyPitt is correct.  I put in as much lump as I possibly could and still fit my woo2 and stone in.

I am not saying you need that much.  Just it is possible.  It took some doing.  I was doing my first brisket so I went a liitle overboard.

YEMTrey

@Ozzie_Isaac I experienced the same.  Opened a new bag of Ozark Oak and dumped the entire 10lb bag in my XL.  Didn't even fill it up.
When I fill my XL for any cook, I usually pile the lump up in the middle and make sure that there are four grate holes completely uncovered.  Two of them at 7 o'clock and two more at 1 o'clock.  I don't know why I do it.  Just a habit I got into thinking it would help airflow and temp control.
When I do fill it up like this, I can go several cooks without having to do anything but stir and realign the lump.  And I'm talking multiple slow and low's and other cooks on one load.

Cheers!

DoubleEgger

@Ozzie_Isaac let us know how much you burned on that brisket. I've never filled my XL above the fire box. Never needed to... I still had nearly half of my RW left after an 18hr brisket and cool down. 

Ozzie_Isaac

I'll post pics tonight.

Legume

If you use a hammer or a rolling pin on the bag before you open it, I think you can fit close to 30 lbs.  How do I know this? I'm pretty sure I've opened a couple of bags of RO from the Mart before that had already been prepped for me.

THEBuckeye

Glad a didn't buy an XL. Cooking for 2 most of the time.

DoubleEgger

^^^ just because it'll hold it doesn't mean you've got to fill her up

Ozzie_Isaac

Ok so I will make a new post with measurements, but I did learn at 10pm at night I should not judge weight.

The XL fit 13lbs of rockwood, not 17.  Again I'll make a new post with burn rate info also.

Grillmagic

Are you filling up to the top of the fire box or the fire ring? I can easily fill my XL up to the top of the fire box twice with a 20 # bag of lump. I just did a 275 dome cook yesterday for 12 hours loaded to the top of the fire box and still have enough lump for tonight's little direct cook. 

Ozzie_Isaac

For my low and slow I went top of the fire ring.  I will explain better in my new post in a bit.

grege345

Can we expect math to be in the new post?

Ozzie_Isaac

grege345 said:

Can we expect math to be in the new post?

Yes!  Absolutely.

Grillmagic

Here is the lump l had left from a 12 hour Brisket cook at 275 filled to the top of the fire box. I just cooked 3 pounds of skinny pork steak at 500 for 3/4 minutes each side, It was very good.

JonWesson

bump