establishing the temperature

Unknown

I just bought my egg and I am confused as to how to get to the temp that I want. I tried a boston butt and wanted to cook it at 300 degrees. I didnt know how hot to get the egg started. I tried controlling the temp when it first hit 300 but the fire just went out. so I went higher to about 500 degrees then I couldn't get the thing down to 300. I finally made it, but I am not certain how. what sould I have done as far as getting to a starting temp after I have fired it up. How hot do I get the egg in order to cook at a low temp or do I just eye ball the coals and make certain they are burning and disregard the temp when first firing up?? thanks oh by the way, the boston butt came out great althought I am not certain that I had much to do with it.

The Naked Whiz

earl pettit,
I have a web page on temperature control on my web site at Info Central. You might find some pointers there. [p]Your fire shouldn't have gone out if you had the cooker at 300 degrees. Check the usual things, is the firebox hole lined up with the lower vent? Is the grate free of chips and ash? Are you using respectable sized pieces of lump, not all small chips that restrict the airflow through the fire?[p]TNW
[ul][li]The Naked Whiz's Web Site[/ul]

jwitheld

earl pettit,
300 should be ez to regulate.
did you close the vents at 300?
should start to regulate before 300 so you slowly arrive at 300.
most low n slows are done at 225 or less, the lower temps are more difficult ( thats why we guru) i do my low n slows at 180 for the first 16 hrs or so.