I am new the green egg community and have a quick question: I am still using the big green bag of lump charcoal that came with my new egg. I use a large Weber chimney device to get the coals started and I estimate it's about a quart size container of lump.However, I can't seem to get my fire to last longer than about 5-6 hours. Is this normal? I have cooked two Boston Butt cuts of pork and have had to start fires at least twice each time I use the egg.Thanks for your time!
CS Greene, If you are just using that "quart" sized container of lump then you will need to add more during your cook. Dump your lump straight into the firebox up to the fire ring or even half way up it. Light the lump in one or two places and your good for 20+hours.Starting with a chimney full of lump all aglow might be too hot to start. I don't know as I don't use one. Try filling it halfway and then dumping that onto your firebox full of lump.
CS Greene, Re-read your post.Is your fire going out or are you burning up the lump. If the fire is going out you may not have the opening in the fire box lined up with the opening at the bottom of the egg.Steve
dhuffjr, Here is a pick of mine after a 17 hour cook. You can see by how much lump is left that it was full. After a cook like this when you stir down the ashes the level of lump will go down but you will still have a good amount left.
CS Greene,I must admit, CS, that somewhere in the beginning I was advised to put just enough lump in there to a level of just above the holes in the fire box. I was getting a great fire for about 4 hours at 240 or so. Then I read TNW's advice on this, and found that there's nothing unsafe about filling the thing all the way up to the rim of the fire box--and even a little more if you want.I proved to myself yesterday, that I can get well over 18 hours at about 250* if I fill it up that much. I'm a newby too, with a medium egg, and it takes a while to really "nail" the low-and-slow projects. Best thing you can do is keep cooking and "camp out" on this forum. There's a lotta guys (and gals) on here, who are anxious to help and that really know how to solve problems.Happy Egging
