Size of charcoal box help!

[smoknpi]

What size of charcoal box works good in the pecos? I am going to have one made and need some dimensions. Also how much charcoal do you usually start with? Fill it up? Thanks in advance!

 

[glocksrock]

When I had my Old Country Wrangler, I made a box with a 24"x24" sheet of expanded metal from Home Depot, I also use the same box in my Lang. You don't need much charcoal to get it going, but you will have to experiment to see what works best for you, maybe just a half chimney or so will do the trick.

 

[joe black]

In my offset, I had a charcoal basket made that would just barely fit in the FB door. I start with the basket about 1/2 to 2/3 full of RO lump depending on the anticipated length of the cook. I start the lump with 1/2 to 2/3 chimney of RO briqs. When the lump is fully involved, I add a couple of splits to continue getting the CC up to temp. I will add 5 or 6 fist size chunks of flavor wood when I put the meat in and 1 split and another round of chunks after about 30-45 minutes. After that it's all cook wood (usually oak) at about 2 splits an hour. I will add wood at 250* as my cooker likes to run at 260-275*. I always pre-heat my splits on top of my FB so that they will ignite more rapidly when they are put in.

Good luck with your charcoal basket and good smokin', Joe