Charcoal won't get hot

[Pappymn]

Two steak cooks in a row using K Comp. Can not get the temp on my Weber Performer above 400 degrees. Top and bottom vents wide open. Started charcoal in the chimney, let go until well ashed over. Ash pot totally empty.

I am out of ideas. Defective charcoal?

[sparky]

maybe.  how much have you had to drink?     has the charcoal been sitting out?  how old it is?  has moisture been around it?  is it sitting on garage floor (no bueno)?  how much have you had to drink?   

[RickB]

Can you say bad thermometer! If it burns its good. Sparky you are so bad!

[Pappymn]

maybe.  how much have you had to drink?     has the charcoal been sitting out?  how old it is?  has moisture been around it?  is it sitting on garage floor (no bueno)?  how much have you had to drink?   

Sober as a judge.....for now. Brand new bag from Costco. Just bought it last week.

I had people over.....no bueno.......need a drink

[mikecorn.1]

I had a cook two weeks ago in the PBC that wasn't burning as hot as previous cooks. I did everything exactly the same. New charcoal bag also.
Only thing I could think of in my tiny sober brain is that it was a zero wind almost 100% humid air without it raining. One of those nasty sticky Texas days where the concrete is wet just from it being so humid outside.


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[muebe]

I would say bad charcoal. Put it in the oven at 400F for 20 minutes before lighting it to dry it out.

[sparky]

pappy, your in Minnesota right.  snow lately?  cold weather will have a lot to do w/ not getting high heat.  should be able to grill a steak though.   

[drholly]

pappy, your in Minnesota right.  snow lately?  cold weather will have a lot to do w/ not getting high heat.  should be able to grill a steak though.   

He is in the southern suburbs - should be plenty warm down there... 

David

[drbiggles]

Two steak cooks in a row using K Comp. Can not get the temp on my Weber Performer above 400 degrees. Top and bottom vents wide open. Started charcoal in the chimney, let go until well ashed over. Ash pot totally empty.

I am out of ideas. Defective charcoal?

  How did the steaks cook?  Defective thermometer?

xo, Biggles

[smokeasaurus]

When I used to start my off-set at 2 in the morning on cold misty mornings (night) I would notice the Kingsford would not burn as hot as it normally would........briquettes will last forever and a day as long as it don't get wet..............

[Pappymn]

Used regular Kingsford tonight. Same issue. Stuck my Thermapen a couple of inches into the top vent hole. The weber thermometer is off a good 80 degrees......

Thanks for the consults. Should have known better then to put much stock in a hood thermometer.

Thermapen is wise and all knowing. Oh, and don't try and close it right after you pull it out of the top vent in your 500 degree Weber.  Don't ask me how I know that.

[smokeasaurus]

Ouch!!  Weber thermo's are notorious for being inaccurate...........

[BAM1]

Glad it wasn't charcoal.  I just bought 12 bags the other day