Hey guys, so I filled most of my charcoal basket the other day, while using the included "ash pan", and found I didn't get ample room for ash while using the basket.
So I used an old grill grate from a cheapo portable grill we used to use for camping (those $10 ones) and came up with this:
My questions/concerns are the charcoal basket possibly sits too high and the amount of air for sufficient long smokes won't be there (because it's further up away from the air inlet [is what I'm thinking]). Second, the charcoal basket sits higher - possibly "closer" to the food. If this makes sense. Possibly making the temp much higher around the food that I'd like.
I haven't done any long smokes or anything remotely close (2hrs plus). I just smoked some more sausage today (~1hr) so I don't "really' know if what I did will really work.
Lastly, I have been having a little trouble getting/maintaining 225*. I can get to, and hold 240 very good. However when I attempt to close off any more of the air inlet, my temps seem to drop to 200*. Not much in between 200* and 240*. (maybe a few degrees plus/minus)
And onto what I did this evening: (I put one grate on to show distance between basket and grates)
Comments? Ideas? I'd love to hear! :)
EDIT: also decided since the weather was nice I tried using the "video" feature on my point and shoot.. it's 60-seconds long.
(Link to video)
http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/8917/dscn0119.mp4
So I used an old grill grate from a cheapo portable grill we used to use for camping (those $10 ones) and came up with this:
My questions/concerns are the charcoal basket possibly sits too high and the amount of air for sufficient long smokes won't be there (because it's further up away from the air inlet [is what I'm thinking]). Second, the charcoal basket sits higher - possibly "closer" to the food. If this makes sense. Possibly making the temp much higher around the food that I'd like.
I haven't done any long smokes or anything remotely close (2hrs plus). I just smoked some more sausage today (~1hr) so I don't "really' know if what I did will really work.
Lastly, I have been having a little trouble getting/maintaining 225*. I can get to, and hold 240 very good. However when I attempt to close off any more of the air inlet, my temps seem to drop to 200*. Not much in between 200* and 240*. (maybe a few degrees plus/minus)
And onto what I did this evening: (I put one grate on to show distance between basket and grates)
Comments? Ideas? I'd love to hear! :)
EDIT: also decided since the weather was nice I tried using the "video" feature on my point and shoot.. it's 60-seconds long.
(Link to video)
http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/8917/dscn0119.mp4