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raising the temperature

Unknown
edited November -0001 in EggHead Forum
I have issues getting the temperature above 300 degrees. How are the coals suppose to be placed? Just around the sides? Big pile? Small Pile? I cleaned out the bottom tray is there something else I am missing? I open all the vents but I am struggling to get high temperatures. Thanks for the help!

Comments

  • Put the larger pieces of lump on the bottom and then the smaller pieces so the smaller pieces do not clog the grate holes I use a Turbo Grate i do not have to worry
    http://secure.thebbqguru.com/ProductCart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=36&idproduct=234

    Ross
  • Remember heat = fuel + air

    It sounds as if you are not putting in enough charcoal. Load it up to the bottom of the fire ring or half way up the fire ring.
  • If the advice below doesn't help, take a picture of how you are setting up your lump, and how your bottom vent and daisy wheel are set. That should help us figure out what is wrong.

    -John
  • 2Fategghead
    2Fategghead Posts: 9,624
    jimmysmoker, Here I have filled my large BGE up to the fire ring and have lit it in four or five places. Tim

    000_1048.jpg
  • Bordello
    Bordello Posts: 5,926
    See if this helps.

    Copied from the Naked Whiz's site.

    http://www.nakedwhiz.com/ceramicfaq.htm#noheat

    Be sure your firebox opening is lined up with the lower vent opening and your lump is not damp.

    I usually just dump from the bag and light. On a lo and slow I might put a few large pieces on the grate first.

    Good Luck,
    Bordello

    #52
    My Egg won't heat up like it used to.
    There are two basic reasons why your Egg won't get as hot as it used to. Not enough charcoal and not enough air.
    The owner's manual recommends that you use a couple of handfuls of charcoal. Wrong. You should always use plenty of charcoal. Remember: When you are done cooking, you can snuff the fire out, and use any remaining charcoal the next time you cook. So fill up the firebox at least to above the holes in the side of the firebox.

    Regarding airflow, there are a number of things to check. First, make sure the bottom vent and top vent are open enough to allow the temperature you wish to achieve. Second, make sure that the hole in the side of the firebox base is lined up with the bottom vent so air can flow straight into the firebox. Third, make sure that there is no ash or charcoal chips blocking the holes in the firebox and the grate. Fourth, stir your charcoal if you used it before so as to knock all the ash and small pieces of charcoal loose so they can fall into the bottom. Fifth, make sure you don't use charcoal that is all small chips. You need a mixture of sizes that allow air to flow through the charcoal.
  • 2Fategghead
    2Fategghead Posts: 9,624
    If when looking through you bottom vent it looks like this.

    000_1155.jpg

    Twist it around to look like this. and clean out the ash while your at it. Tim

    000_1154.jpg