Randal
Assistant Cook
Glad to find this forum on the web.
I just bought a bbq with a firebox, hoping to move my indirect cooking skills to the next level.
I experimented last night by lighting a fire, in the firebox, with charcoal (full paper type starter) that I have always used (quantity wise) with my old bbq. With my old barrel unit I could get 400 degrees for an hour + with this amount of coals .
So what I got was 200 degrees for over two hours in the main cooking box.
After this I used some oak wood to see what temperature I could get in the main box. Well maybe I used way to much oak as it got to 600 degrees .
So from this experiment here is what I've concluded and would appreciate help on setting me straight.
If I want to smoke then I need to do the charcoal bit then add hickory or another fruit wood to smoke the contents of the main box over a long period of time. Just leave the ribs in for 4 (or 5) hours at 200 degrees until they are ready.
If I want to cook indirectly then I need to do the same charcoal part then add a measured amount of wood until the temperature reaches what I want, i.e, like 400 degrees. Alternatively I can just start with two or three pieces of oak and monitor the heat until I get what I want.
What I don't know is how long wood will continue to hold the heat, but guessing I'll just have to experiment.
As I mentioned I'm totally new to the firebox arena, so all comments are greatly appreciated.
I just bought a bbq with a firebox, hoping to move my indirect cooking skills to the next level.
I experimented last night by lighting a fire, in the firebox, with charcoal (full paper type starter) that I have always used (quantity wise) with my old bbq. With my old barrel unit I could get 400 degrees for an hour + with this amount of coals .
So what I got was 200 degrees for over two hours in the main cooking box.
After this I used some oak wood to see what temperature I could get in the main box. Well maybe I used way to much oak as it got to 600 degrees .
So from this experiment here is what I've concluded and would appreciate help on setting me straight.
If I want to smoke then I need to do the charcoal bit then add hickory or another fruit wood to smoke the contents of the main box over a long period of time. Just leave the ribs in for 4 (or 5) hours at 200 degrees until they are ready.
If I want to cook indirectly then I need to do the same charcoal part then add a measured amount of wood until the temperature reaches what I want, i.e, like 400 degrees. Alternatively I can just start with two or three pieces of oak and monitor the heat until I get what I want.
What I don't know is how long wood will continue to hold the heat, but guessing I'll just have to experiment.
As I mentioned I'm totally new to the firebox arena, so all comments are greatly appreciated.