Barbecue/smoker

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Expert: - 6/20/2009


Question
hello i just got a Brinkmann vertical charcoal smoker and  and it has 4 vents 2 on top and 2 on bottomi cant get fire to stay hot about 150 is the best i can get what am i doing wrong

Answer
Dale,

Sorry to hear that.  They aren't very good.  I had one and got rid of it. 150 was about the best I got, but if I removed the water pan between the food and the fire, it did get hotter about 225.  Also use a different thermometer than the one on the cooker.  It was not very accurate.  Try closing off the bottom vent to about a 1/4 open and leaving the top open about 1/2 open.  Wood and lump charcoal will produce more heat then briquettes.

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John Langenfelder

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I can generally answer most questions relating to BBQ, smoked meats, choosing meats, grilled meats, spices, rubs, sauces, grills, cookers, smokers, wood, charcoal and food preparation.

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I have been cooking and smoking meats for over 40 years (yep, even as a child). I am a BBQ competitor and certified judge.

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Bachelor of Barbeques Science B.S. from the Greasehouse University by the facilities of the Pitmasters College by the K.C. Baron of Barbeque
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