Adding Fuel

[tekn50]

This past weekend I cooked up a 9.7lbs pork butt.  It took about 8.5 hrs to get it where I like it.  I wrapped it and put it in a small cooler to rest.  While it rest I wanted to cook some corn and potatoes, but the barrel was running low.  I scrapped what was left into a small pile and added about 12 unlit coals to it.  Then left the lid off for a few minutes before adding the corn and potatoes.  I ended up pulling the bars and cracking the lid, to keep it at 225.  This was my first time adding charcoal, I think next time I will add it sooner.  What has been everyone else's experience?

[drholly]

Gosh - have not had this experience - so I will be very interested to hear about others' experiences... Thanks for raising the question.

[smokeasaurus]

Never had to add (yet)

[akruckus]

I just made a 10lb pork butt on the PBC after 6 hours I wrapped it and while the meat was off the grate, I added about a chimney's worth more coals to the basket. I put the coals on right after I took the pork off and left the lid off.  I wrapped the pork then put it on the grate and then kept the rebar out but the lid back on. 

In total the lid was off for about 10 minutes.  I didn't need the charcoal right away but I wanted it to catch and get hot because I was going to hang some chicken while the pork was resting.  I also wanted to add them early and when nothing could drip on them until they were fully lit and the chicken was on. I left the wrapped pork on the pit for another hour or so until I hit 201F,  I start checking the the looseness of bone starting at 195.  Chicken took 90 minutes to cook when the pork was done.

[smokeasaurus]

No matter what kind of charcoal/wood smoker I use...after wrapping in foil and if my charcoal is spent or if I get tired of feeding sticks.....I just move it to the oven inside. After foiling all ya need is heat anyhows...might as well save on charcoal and wood..............

[drholly]

No matter what kind of charcoal/wood smoker I use...after wrapping in foil and if my charcoal is spent or if I get tired of feeding sticks.....I just move it to the oven inside. After foiling all ya need is heat anyhows...might as well save on charcoal and wood..............

I am with The Smoke...

[TentHunteR]

Just an idea.  Whenever I want to add more coals to my Weber, I will light them, separately, in a chimney, about 15 - 20 minutes before I need them. Then I can add the hot coals to the pit and never skip a beat.

[akruckus]

No matter what kind of charcoal/wood smoker I use...after wrapping in foil and if my charcoal is spent or if I get tired of feeding sticks.....I just move it to the oven inside. After foiling all ya need is heat anyhows...might as well save on charcoal and wood..............

I am with The Smoke...

I do too, however I needed the PBC for some chicken to finish off my day long cook for Fantasy Football draft, and I didn't want to have to snuff it out just to restart it 30 minutes later.

[tekn50]

I had more cooking to do also.  I might try lighting some of it before adding next time. I don't typically run the barrel for 10hrs, but it does happen from time to time.