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How long to get to temp?

Genesis
Genesis Posts: 16
in EggHead Forum
I am new to the egg and charcoal grilling.  I have done a few cooks to play with temperature control.  I am finding that if you want to do indirect grilling with a woo and stone in place from the beginning, it is taking me 45min to get to 400 degrees.  Is this typical?  I have good air flow with fire box aligned, kick ash basket.  Lighting with propane torch in several locations.  Bottom vent wide open, top off.  Lump is full to just under woo stone.  
I thought it would heat more quickly than this.  Do I need to plan for an hour to get a higher temp like 400 degrees stable when cooking indirect?  Suggestions?
Dave
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Comments

  • bikesAndBBQ
    bikesAndBBQ Posts: 284
    Any cooking temperature I've found it takes about an hour to get to the temperature you want.
    Pittsburgh, PA. LBGE
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  • lousubcap
    lousubcap Posts: 34,386
    Indirect at high temp takes a while.  There is quite a mass of ceramic and the internals to get up to temp.  Plan for an hour and be pleased when it is quicker.  BTW- you shouldn't count on being pleased too frequently.  
    Louisville; Rolling smoke in the neighbourhood. # 38 for the win.  Life is too short for light/lite beer!  Seems I'm livin in a transitional period.
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  • JacksDad
    JacksDad Posts: 538

    I had this problem too, starting out. Leave the egg open for longer after you light it. 


    Large BGE -- New Jersey

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  • Mattman3969
    Mattman3969 Posts: 10,458
    What size stone on your woo?

    -----------------------------------------

    analyze adapt overcome

    2008 -Large BGE. 2013- Small BGE and 2015 - Mini. Henderson, Ky.
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  • Genesis
    Genesis Posts: 16
    Thanks for the comments.  This is not something I think I can accomplish at the end of a work day.  I will have to plan on the indirect cooks on days off when I have more time.
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  • lousubcap
    lousubcap Posts: 34,386
    You can definitely get to indirect cooks at lower temps in much shorter time.  The deal here is the 400*F target you mentioned.  Just eggsperiment and above all, have fun.
    BTW- welcome aboard and enjoy the journey.
    Louisville; Rolling smoke in the neighbourhood. # 38 for the win.  Life is too short for light/lite beer!  Seems I'm livin in a transitional period.
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  • Genesis
    Genesis Posts: 16
    17.5 inch stone I think, ordered with the Woo.
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  • StillH2OEgger
    StillH2OEgger Posts: 3,854
    You didn't say whether you have a large or XL (I only have a large), but I'm assuming the XL will take a little longer to get up to temp. Sorry I got nothin' else, but an hour does seem a bit long. Good luck.
    Stillwater, MN
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  • Eggdicted_Dawgfan
    Eggdicted_Dawgfan Posts: 1,902
    I do the same thing you have described except I only light in 2 places. It use to take me a long time to get to 400 but I started holding the torch on the lump for about a minute or 2 and since then I can be at 400 in 20 minutes. 30 mins if the lump is a damp. Light about a softball size area of lump in 2 places. About 2 mins each place and see if that helps. Just a thought. 
    Snellville, GA


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  • Genesis
    Genesis Posts: 16
    I will give it a try. Thx.
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  • WeberWho
    WeberWho Posts: 11,338
    edited May 2017
    Weed torch in under 10 minutes 
    "The pig is an amazing animal. You feed a pig an apple and it makes bacon. Let's see Michael Phelps do that" - Jim Gaffigan

    Minnesota
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  • yljkt
    yljkt Posts: 799
    I have found getting to 400 dome is pretty easy. Waiting for the whole egg to get to temp is alot longer. And you still gotta burn off the bad smoke. 
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