Coconut charcoal trouble's

[Joetee]

So I moved to the Philippines.
Can't find any regular charcoal like in the USA.

I'm trying to do a low and slow for smoking meat using a Weber kettle which I've used in the USA for several years. Using the snake method and also the Slow n Sear.

I tried lump which I think is still different from USA lump. It burns very fast.

I've tried pillow shaped coconut briquettes. Though they seem to be not to bad, need to watch carefully. Temp will suddenly drop off.
They leave a lot of ash which looks like a light brown sand.

So question is, does anyone have experience using coconut charcoal is any shape?
This is good for hamburger's, streaks, and hot dogs, but having a lot of trouble with low and slow.

Any help would be appreciated.

[texastweeter]

Try a stickburner

[Joetee]

I had one in the USA and loved it. Now I don't have the space. Also wood can be challenging. It is here but trying to find good wood with a language barrier is sometimes difficult.

[STEbbq]

Coconut charcoal is hard and very slow to light but burns for a long time. I think the problem with the snake method is it would be tricky to light one piece off just a single charcoal or two. The SNS should work better for though if you are stacking them together.

Honestly, the best approach might actually be able to mix lump and coconut so the lump can more consistently light the coconut as needed.

[TripleB]

Mix lump and coconut. Good thinking.

[Joetee]

Yes I did mix and it is better. What I found is after a couple hours the lump burns across and the fire will spread all across the SnS and then the ash will clog up air intake into the SnS. I had to dig it up to let more air in.
I'm thinking maybe test it like a stick burner and add fuel a little at a time maintaining an open air supply.

I'm still learning and experimenting.

Thank you

[TripleB]

Yes, lump burns fast. I got some coconut charcoal from a friend a few years ago. But used it for grilling. Worked fine. I don't see any issues with using it for smoking and incorporating the snake method.

Here's a thought. Do a test run with it and see how it works.

[Joetee]

I'll try again. First time was 2x1 snake. I'll maybe try 3x2x1 and see if that helps.
Thanks

[Joetee]

I was just thinking, maybe I need to think of using coconut charcoal like a stick burner. Adding a few at a time as needed instead of trying to light and forget for a while.

Still experimenting trying to figure this stuff out.

[STEbbq]

Using it like a stick burner sounds like a pain.

Might I suggest a charcoal basket to help manage the ash?

https://theburnshopwf.com/product/weber-charcoal-basket/

[Joetee]

I've had Weber kettles for years and never had tried the baskets. Been using SnS for years and love it. I brought it with me as well as a vortex. Maybe I can try using the snake method outside of the vortex. That I haven't tried yet but read some do.

[Joetee]

This basket I have not seen before. Interesting.
Being here in the Philippines I'm limited to what I can order from Amazon.

[Joetee]

I know I will figure out the best solution to my problem. It will just take time.

[Huskee]

Do you stir and 'tunk' the coals every so often to drop the ash & then sweep it? It needs done every 3 or so hrs with regular charcoal, I imagine it needs it much more often with coconut having more ash as you mention.

[Joetee]

Yes I have learned that. Coconut has a lot of ash. And it does clog up.