DigiQII / Sorting Lump Question

Unknown

Hey everyone,

I just threw an 8# butt on my large egg. I did some presorting of the lump per instructions in various posts.

My question is that I plan to buy a DigiQ-II soon, and am wondering if this will do away with the need to presort my lump?

Logic tells me that in a forced air situation, it should not need to be sorted, save maybe putting a few X-large pieces on the very bottom in an attempt to keep my holes from clogging.

Anyone???

Jeff

bubba tim

I have a Digi II and have never sorted my lump. Come to think of it, I never sorted my lump. Why are you sorting your lump?

BENTE

i rarely sort.. only when i do not use a power draft system

FlaPoolman

Maybe not as important but I'd always start with a good base. You don't want a center burn out or left or right hot spot. The DigiQ is to keep air flowing when needed and can only compensate so much for our screwups. JMHO

bubba tim

Humble? lol

Unknown

I have read several places to start with the largest lump at the bottom and work your way up. Kind of a pain in the rear....

From the Naked whiz site:

"Keeping a fire going for 20 hours probably benefits from adequate preparation. Some folks will disagree on how to build the fire, but here is how I do it. First of all, clear out the egg. Get rid of any old lump and clean out the ashes that might already be in the egg. I don't take the firebox out and clean around the edges, but I do clear out the bottom of the firebox.

Dump your lump into a bin so you can see what you are putting into the egg. I don't advocate dumping a pile of lump in from a bag. Find several large pieces and place them in the bottom of the egg in the center. Then basically, what I do is start placing the largest pieces in the egg, evenly distributing them. Then just keep tossing in the largest piece you have left, keeping the lump level as you pile it up. When you get to the top of the firebox, distribute some pieces of hickory on top of the lump (or whatever wood you want to use to smoke with) then continue piling on the largest pieces of lump from the bin."

kolbdriver

I have seen a lot of post about sorting lump, however I have been using a BGE for about 4 years and have never sorting.I guess there is some concern about the holes plugging, but I have never had that problem. I do make sure the holes are clean before I start. I use a DIGIQ2 and it is wonderful for holding the temp. Cooked a butt last weekend for 16 hours, no problem.

bubba tim

The TNW is correct, when you plan on doing long cooks. Over 12 hours you do need to prep with large on the bottom. But only put down a layer or two, then just dump. You can get realy a-retentive about it. But hey, I am lazy.

FlaPoolman

Thats my middle name till the wife knocks me back to earth. She say's I'm a legend in my own mind.

bubba tim

I think your wife has been talking with my wife....

Griller

Until yesterday, I've always just dumped the lump into the firebox and rolled. I did my first pork shoulder yesterday and followed the advice of Elder Ward to the letter just to see what the fuss was about. I was very skeptical going into it especially since I'm generally lazy for that kind of stuff. I have to say that I could appreciate the packed and level firebox prior to lighting the fire. The starting temp of the cook was 210F and it was still 210F 12hrs later with plenty of fuel left over.

I won't go to the trouble for regular cooks but I'm a now a believer for the long haul ones.

Unknown

Thanks, I am already underway having just dumped the lump in, will see what happens!

DigiQ II in a month or two.