Do you guys ever run out of charcoal during a cook?

mglanzro

Newbie here. Just curious if you’ve ever had to refill the charcoal on a long cook, maybe over night? And if so, I assume it’s not an easy task if you’ve got your plate setter already in place and hot. I have the BGE size Large. 

StillH2OEgger

I'ver never run out. There's really no reason to skimp on lump since you can reuse whatever doesn't burn.

JohnInCarolina

mglanzro said:

Newbie here. Just curious if you’ve ever had to refill the charcoal on a long cook, maybe over night? And if so, I assume it’s not an easy task if you’ve got your plate setter already in place and hot. I have the BGE size Large. 

Yes, it is rare but it happens. And you absolutely need to have something to remove a hot plate setter and a place to put it as well.  There are lots of options out there - just search around and you’ll find several.

etherdome

Never. But for easy platesetter and grate removal just go ahead and get the PSWoo from ceramic grill store. 

1voyager

I ran out of lump on my first long cook. Now, when cooking pork butt or brisket, I load the lump all the way to the middle of the fire ring. My longest cook has been about 18 hours @ 225 - 275 and there is plenty of lump left to go much longer. (Rockwood on large BGE with KAB.)

jtcBoynton

With a large a full load of lump will supply enough btu for any cook.  Just don't forget to check the lump before starting a cook. 

GATraveller

I've come close but never had to refill mid cook. I always load up above the fire ring though and never start a low and slow without a full load of fresh lump. 

Corv

Not often, but yes. I'm using a medium with a KAB, and the KAB reduces the amount of fuel the MBGE can hold. So far, I've managed to squeak by with the temperature dropping as the food finished.

caliking

Fill to the top of the fire ring whenever you reload. That lasts a few cooks for me. 

I once ran my large on a single load of lump for 30+ hrs. Still had some lump left when I shut it down. 

mglanzro

Thanks everyone!

stlcharcoal

caliking said:

Fill to the top of the fire ring whenever you reload. That lasts a few cooks for me. 

I once ran my large on a single load of lump for 30+ hrs. Still had some lump left when I shut it down. 

Corv said:

Not often, but yes. I'm using a medium with a KAB, and the KAB reduces the amount of fuel the MBGE can hold. So far, I've managed to squeak by with the temperature dropping as the food finished.

Yep, I went 225F on a Medium BGE for 29 hrs before the temp started dropping off. 

It had a Kick Ash Basket in it.......it doesn't reduce the capacity.  The charcoal pokes through the bars.  And if anything, it let's you burn longer because the holes don't get plugged with ash leaving spots that get cold and flame out.

Ozzie_Isaac

If you have nothing to remove a plate setter you can always pull protein and finish in the oven.  There really is not much smoke added at the end of a cook.