Changing gears, bought a charcoal smoker tonight

[gruelurks]

Since the MES controller died, and I still have the urge to smoke while I wait for my new controller, I went and bought a Brinkmann Charcoal Smoker tonight for $60. I figure it's time to learn some charcoal techniques and the wife wanted charcoal grilled burgers again after using propane forever. Picked up a bag of Kingford charcoal, not the easy light stuff, just the regular, a charcoal starter and a bag of hickory chunks. Plan to assemble it tonight to burn off the factory crap and read up on this smoker and tips on here tonight. Feel free to jump in and give sage advice!

 

[fire it up]

Well congrats on the new smoker.
Best advice I can give when it comes to burning coals + wood is to make sure the wood doesn't get too much heat at first, that will cause your white billowing smoke.
With my sNp I add wood not touching the coals then move it onto the coals once the wood has sufficiently burned and then toss another hunk of wood besides the burning pile of goodness and continue the process from there.

 

[beer-b-q]

Congratulations, a person can never have too many smokers...

Just don't tell my wife I said that...LOL

 

[mballi3011]

You are definatly are a lucky guy when your wife gives you the ok to buy anther smoker when awaiting new parts for the old one. But I'm a believer for you can never have enough smokers grills and stuff to cook on. Thats why as you see I have one then one of almost everything. Good luck on the new smoker and Happy smoking

 

[gruelurks]

The best part about my wife is she doesn't care what I buy as long as the bills are paid and her computer works trouble free!

I fired up a batch of charcoal in it today using a chimney to get a feel for the temp and how it holds up. I only used enough to barely cover the bottom and that brought it to 220 +/- for a couple hours. I'm pretty sure I'll need to make some mods such as adding vents in the top and bottom, and adding some other thermometers. Anything else for the charcoal ECB I should take in to consideration?