On Mar 27, 1:19 pm, Steve Wertz > wrote:
> On 26 Mar 2007 11:04:24 -0700, skeeter wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Mar 26, 12:48 pm, "JohnO" > wrote:
> >>> The times when it has lit I've had trouble keeping the temperature up
> >>> near the "ideal" mark on the thermometer. Somebody suggested that
> >>> since I leave my charcoal in my garage, which unfortunately has very
> >>> poor ventilation, that humidity might be the problem.
> >>> is there any warrant to that?
>
> >> Yes. You mention Meijer, which means you're in MI/OH/IN/IL or
> >> thereabouts. Go to a Gordon's Food Service and buy a 20# bag of Royal
> >> Oak lump. It'll burn...
>
> >>> Also the smoker looks like the vent holes on the firebox, which sit in
> >>> the base, may not allow very much ventilation therefore the charcoal
> >>> will not light very well.
>
> >> There are a (at least) couple variations on this smoker firebox. The
> >> bowl with a single hole for air is a POS that won't support a fire.
> >> You have to drill 10-15 more 3/8" holes in the bottom, then pick up
> >> some 1/2" fencing to hold the coals up off the bowl...form it into a
> >> sub-bowl. The flat-bottomed version also needs more holes, and I use
> >> another grill grate to hold the coals. Then, four small rocks between
> >> the steel bottom and the grate to make room for more air and ashes.
>
> >> Finally, you might need an additional hole in the top of the
> >> smoker...about 1 inch wide should do it. I use an old fridge magnet to
> >> control it's size. Then add a real thermometer. All of that should
> >> cost about $12 and an hour
>
> >> -John O
>
> > John,
> > You seem to know what you are talking about - 2 questions - if the
> > cowboy or whatver charcoal is left in its original
> > bad, and closed, will it absorb ambient humidity?
>
> Another thing: Don't ever use Cowboy Lump Charcoal. That stuff
> is made from all sorts of different kinds of wood and gives off a
> bad smell (indicat9ing ot me that it's been treated wood).
>
> -sw- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

If I remember, when I did try royal oak lump I did have half way
decent results. What do you think of the
"Frontier Charcoal" that meijer sells - just a dressed up kingsford or
is it closer to lump although it's in
briquettes?

I think the moisture in the lump might be the big part of my problem -
Ill switch back to ROC lump and see how
that works. ANY charcoal should do more than just give up a small puff
of smoke when you stand on it with
a propane torch.