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Welcome from SC. This is a great site with lots of folks who are always eager to share their ideas and tips. All you have to do is ask and keep reading. There is some preliminary planning to have a bash for the Carolina's group sometime next spring. Stay on the lookout for that.
It's charcoal. Not getting enough heat out of it, Drilled the pan and still can't get pass 150 degrees. Started with a small pork loin and finally had to finish in oven. With lack of heat adding wet chips almost put fire out. Anyone got any ideas?
When I have trouble getting the coals to go, I normally get a chimney full going on a propane burner and throw that in the mix to get her burning. Did your charcoal sit outside overnight, or something. Sounds like it might have gotten damp.
Ok Ed, first tell us how you are starting your charcoal and running the smoker.
How are you lighting the charcoal and how much are you lighting to start?
Exhaust vent wide open?
Intake vent wide open to get heat up?
Are you relying on the factory therm? They are natorious for being wrong.
The more info you can give us, the more we can help.
Starting them in the pan outside the smoker with starter fluid, using Kingsford Charcoal with soaked wood chips. Using enough to fill pan, about 15. All vents all wide open. Still have factory one in it but have ordered a 2 in F & C Thermometer. Anything else u need to know?
Thanks for the link. Going to build new basket this week. Hope my thermometer arrives soon. Really wait to get some practice in so I can try doing a turkey for the holidays.