How long for the coals to be ready?

BillB2002

I was reading the TRex method website yesterday and was surprised to see the implication that coals could be ready within 10 or 15 minutes from lighting them. I do understand that one can get the heat way up pretty fast, but coals that haven't been burning for more than a couple minutes tend to produce a bit of an acrid flavor if you use them to cook with, isn't that the case?

I tend to wait about 45 minutes before starting to cook. Am I wasting my time and my lump by waiting so long?

Frank from Houma

Not wasting your time at all - I have waited even longer have started before 30 minutes are up. Just depends on when the smoke clears.

BBQMaven

Seems each burn has it's own character... sometimes lump is burning clean in 15-20 minuets and other times it takes 30+... What the smoke smells like is the key - pass you hand over the top vent and let the exhaust contact your skin for a 2-5 seconds - what your hand smells like is what the meat on the inside would smell like...

The Naked Whiz

When cooking using Trex, you put the meat on when the coals are rip roaring hot. By this time, you aren't getting much smoke off the lump as it has mostly been driven off. Regardless of how long it takes you to get there, when the coals are ready for Trex, you can put the meat on. This is different that when you are making a low temperature fire, where you will see the smoke for some time and want to wait until things clear up a bit.

Eggsakley

If you have your vents wide open and your dmft off, chances are that by 30 minutes the coals are probably ready for use if they are hot enough. Volatiles should have burned off by now with wide open air flow and temp should be around 700 or greater. If temp is not at this level, wait until it is to ensure hot coals and no acrid flavorings. As Frank said, your not wasting time or lump in this case, and when you raise the dome it is going to be one hot potato in there so be ready. Enjoy the steaks.