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Unhot fire - what am I doing wrong?

Unknown
Unknown
edited November -0001 in EggHead Forum
I tried my medium Egg for the third time this evening. On each occasion, I've put in a couple handfulls of lump charcoal and used a fire starter to get the fire going. I close the lid, open the bottom vent completely and pull off the top. I have yet to get it hotter than 400 degrees. Tonight I couldn't get it over 300 degrees. I can tell that the lump is burning. Its just not a hot fire. What am I doing wrong?
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Comments

  • thirdeye
    thirdeye Posts: 7,428
    foster2cats,[p]You need more lump. At least a full firebox or part ways up the fire ring. Also make sure the firebox grate holes are not clogged. Sneak a coat hanger with a 3" L on the end through the lower vent and into the holes in the little grate. Wiggle it a little.[p]~thirdeye~

    Happy Trails
    ~thirdeye~

    Barbecue is not rocket surgery
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  • drbbq
    drbbq Posts: 1,152
    foster2cats,[p]You need more lump to start. Fill it up to the line between the firebox and fire ring.
    You light it and then control the temp by how much air you give it. Open the vents and it gets hotter, close them and it cools off. When you're done close the vents all the way. The lump will go out, and be there for the next time.

    Ray Lampe Dr. BBQ
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  • 61chev
    61chev Posts: 539
    make sure your fire box hole is lined up with the bottom vent i had that when i first got mine

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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,247
    foster2cats, you've already been told the cure ( by a couple masters by the way) so that is resolved...but let me address the real problem...you must have studied that manual that came with your egg - trust me you will not get months and months out of one bag of lump - it's not going to happen unless you don't plan to cook! There are other errors in that book also to the extent that newbies are frequently told to save the registeration card and pitch the book! This forum is a wealth of support and the recipes are many. One last point - no, you can't cook ribs in 45 minutes like that manual says - none worth eating that is!!!

    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time!
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  • BabyBoomBBQ
    BabyBoomBBQ Posts: 703
    foster2cats,[p]I'll add a few things to the great advice you already got.[p]1) Register your egg and toss the manual. It will save you more pain.[p]2) Learn the clean burn lesson if you have not already. [p]3) Browse the archives.[p]Here are 2 of the many good egg sites that help me.
    http://www.nakedwhiz.com/ceramic.htm
    http://playingwithfireandsmoke.blogspot.com/[p]Another application for a new quick start guide... Today may be the day.
    [ul][li]Pics at link here.[/ul]
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