When do you close the lid?

Smokindoc

Hey, all. New to the cult so please forgive a dumb question. After lighting the fire, how long do you wait to close the lid? Immediately? After a certain proportion of lump is lit? Depends on technique...low/slow different from high temp?

Thanks for the help. I've already received so much from the forum.

Celtic Wolf

Just as soon as you get your arm out of the way.. :woohoo:

Seriously right after you put what ever you are going to use to cook in the egg (platesetter, drip pan, etc. Let it all heat up at the same time.

Rolling Egg

I usually shut it as soon as I'm done lighting it. I guess sometimes it might stay up 5 minutes or so. No real rule to it I dont guess.

Carolina Q

I let mine go with the dome up for 10-15 minutes. But Celtic Wolf has forgotten more than I'll ever learn about this thing. :blink:

WessB

Immediately for me...one starter cube in the center and close the dome..

skihorn

You really can't go wrong on this one. Immediately, to 8 minutes, or anywhere in between.

Freddie
League City, TX

Grumps

I light with a propane torch in 2-3 spots and leave the lid open for 10-15 minutes then close. It does not get too hot.

Smokindoc

Thanks, all. Now off to light before the thunderstorms hit.

Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker

hmmm. depends.
generally, toss it in, scope it for a few seconds, and shut the dome. you can go right ahead and set the vents, too, if you are looking for final temps above, say, 350.

if you are lighting with starter cubes, paraffin starters, duraflame starters, etc. you should make sure the flames are established. not the flames of the charcoal, but the actual starter cubes. give the thing plenty of air. either with the dome open, or by not shutting the vents down for dome temps under 300. those suckers can sort of snuff themselves out, and if they do, they will smolder for a long time, not really burning well.

but for pretty much all starter methods, you can shut the lid pretty much right away.
i actually will shut the dome, set my vents for my desired temp (unless it's for a low and slow) and dip back into the house to prep.

don't ever leave the daisy off and walk away. for one, it's just not safe. for another, your temps will take forever to get back down if you overshoot.

it does not make for a better fire, either, to let her rip and then try to dial back. just sneak up on your temps.

civil eggineer

I shut it immediately. I also install the platesetter or pizza stone to warm up with the egg if I am going to use them on the cook. You have temp control with the dome closed, not so with it open. The egg can go nuclear in a short amount of time if left unattended and unlimited amount of air.

h20egg

Stripstike...interesting comment on not leaving daisy wheel off. I've done that and it's amazing how rapidly it can "blast off". I don't do that any more; even opening the daisy wheel up by sliding the daisy off (full open) gets it flaming pretty quick.

h20egg

Stripstike...interesting comment on not leaving daisy wheel off. I've done that and it's amazing how rapidly it can "blast off". I don't do that any more; even opening the daisy wheel up by sliding the daisy off (full open) gets it flaming pretty quick.

FearlessGrill

On my large, I close immediately after lighting. On my small, I find that the fire gets going faster if I leave it open for a few minutes first.

-John

thirdeye

I guess you could say I'm in-between on this question.... I leave my lid blocked open a few minutes. This gives me time to re-arrange lump, position any flavor wood, wiggle the coals and in general play with the fire. Naturally I leave the lid blocked longer for a grilling fire than for a barbecue fire. I'll also block it open if I need to give the fire a bump when grilling, or if I need to keep an eye on things.

Smokindoc

You are gentlemen and scholars. Thanks for the input.

Smokindoc

You are gentlemen and scholars. Thanks for the input.