The Smoke Ring

smokin jimmy · Joined: 06 Oct 2006 Posts: 7 Location: Wisconsin

I just purchased a smoker(Char Griller w/ side firebox) and need some advice for what to use when I start my first fire for smoking. The owners manual suggests using logs. I have read on this board that some use lump charcoal, wood chunks, charcoal briquettes, or a combination. Any suggestions for a first timer looking to smoke a 4# brisket?

Thanks.

FLETCH · Newbie Joined: 09 Sep 2006 Posts: 84 Location: Ashland,NE

I would stay away from the brickets,I start mine with lump coal and then when the meat goes on put chunks of wood in the sfb.I would recommend not to soak the wood,seem to create to much smoke.The brickets make so much ash.I am going to try some small logs in mine this weekend.

Alien BBQ · Posted: Fri Oct 06 06 2:07 pm Post subject:

If the photo is what you have then it is a wood (log) burner. You want the initial smoke (without food) to be to about 350 degrees after you have sprayed the inside of the cooking chamber with cooking oil to season it. Afterwards you want to build a smaller brisk fire (instead of a big one) and keep your smoke level down to a minimum. You can start the fire with charcoal but use wood to cook with. The smoker on the right is burning correctly; the one on the left will give you some nasty tasting food.

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smokemaster · BBQ Fan Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 226 Location: Europe

Alien,

The pics are great. Are the last 2 the way the fire should look? I've yet to use logs in my SS and look forward to trying it as recommended
http://www.thesmokering.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4512&highlight=

Could you post an "Idiots Guide to Starting a Log Fire for your Smoker"??

This would help me immensely!
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badcat222 · Newbie Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Posts: 84 Location: Lubbock, TX

I use a side fire box smoker with an expanded metal charcoal basket in the fire box. (12" x 12" x 8"). I fill the basket with lump, start some in the charcoal chimney, then pour the burning coals on top of the unlit coals in the basket. Using lump I get about a 5-6 hour burn. Also mix a few chunks of wood in the basket for smoke.
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Pointerman · Posted: Wed Oct 18 06 2:36 pm Post subject: What I do

I like to get the lump going good in a charcoal starter chimney, place some more lump and the chunks or logs in the bottom of the smoker and then pour the coals on top of the wood causing it to have to burn down to the new lump and wood. Lasts a really long time.
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Thomas P. · BBQ Pro Joined: 26 Jul 2005 Posts: 596 Location: Texas

I have the same pit you're talking about. It works really well with lump charcoal, but briquettes create too much ash and choke the box really quick.

I also use straight wood in mine. Either go with a store bought bag of chunks (fist sized) or tree limbs. Cut the limbs down to about 12", make sure they're good and seasoned, and keep the size under about 2" in diameter, and that pit will work like a dream.

If you start feeding the char-griller split logs, the fire gets too hot for it quick, and your pit temps run away. Also, the fire rack inside the offset box is a piece of crap, and can't take the heat.

Good luck!
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Portergolf · Posted: Thu Oct 19 06 7:14 pm Post subject:

I have the same grill and I am going to "season" it tonight.
What exactly does seasoning it require you to do?
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Malcrow · Posted: Thu Jan 04 07 5:50 pm Post subject:

So does anyone soak the wood in water.

Some people have suggested I do this but with just charcoal I don't seem to get enough heat unless the wood is burning.

Of course it is 40 degrees here.
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SoEzzy · Posted: Thu Jan 04 07 8:01 pm Post subject:

Malcrow · Posted: Thu Jan 04 07 9:48 pm Post subject:

I guess I will use lump after I run out of the charcoal I bought at sams club
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barnburner180 · Posted: Thu Jan 04 07 11:02 pm Post subject:

Rub the Butt BBQ · Posted: Thu Jan 04 07 11:52 pm Post subject:

I get my Royal Oak Lump from Wally World........aka Wal Mart.
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BigOrson · Posted: Fri Jan 05 07 2:21 am Post subject:

swinebuck · Posted: Fri Jan 05 07 3:36 pm Post subject:

I use the Duraflame style log starter that comes in 1"x2"x6" strips. I break off about an inch or so of the strip place the chimney over the top it and as soon as the lump is started place a coffee can over the starter to smother it and use again when it need to start another chimney.
Thanks
Mike
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roxy · Posted: Fri Jan 05 07 3:55 pm Post subject:

The chargriller is a great log burner. I like to get things going with charcoal and while its heating up, place a split log ontop of the firebox so it can heat up. This helps the wood to ignite quicker. When the first piece of wood is almost burnt up add another. Once you get the hang of this you can keep the temps pretty even.

Split wood is a lot cheaper than charcoal and gives you a better product then with charcoal and wood chunks.
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Jason_Florida · Newbie Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 43

Malcrow · Posted: Sun Jan 14 07 1:50 pm Post subject:

Thanks guys I will have to switch to lump!

I am still searching for a good source to get logs so far I have only found them online.
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Char-griller with SFB
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