Hello from New Mexico

[Jemezgracie]

I am using the blue bag. And experiment with cheaper chicken is exactly my thinking!

[holehogg]

Greetings from South Africa

[Loren]

Welcome from Oregon!

Your Weber, SnS and Maverick is all you need for many great meals! I got mine 17 years ago as a hand-me-down from a neighbor (who got it the same way I did!) when I moved out of my parents house.

Good luck and don't be shy with questions

[clb239]

Welcome from Farmville, Va.

[RustyHaines]

Welcome to The Pit from Madison, WI

[RichieB]

Welcome from Western Massachusetts.

[HouseHomey]

Huntington Beach welcomes you and that fine cooking machine you have.

learn on the chicken, it’s cheaper. Like Robb says above full boat of coals lit hot, dump in SnS and run her wide open, top n bottom.

are you using Kingsford coal? (KBB, the blue bag)

[Arsenlael]

Hi Jeff - welcome from waaaay off in Rio Rancho!

[RonB]

Jemezgracie - yes, charcoal will burn faster, but the cook will somewhere around an hour, so you can close the vents when you pull the chix off and save the remaining coals.

[Jemezgracie]

Go Steelers! Thanks, Rob.

[Jemezgracie]

Thanks RonB. I will try that next time. I still have much to understand. Will both vents full open cause the charcoal to burn even faster?

[Rob Johnston]

Welcome from Pittsburgh, PA!

[RonB]

Jemezgracie - you just need to open both vents all the way. having either vent, (or both), partially closed will reduce air flow and make the Kettle run cooler. The good news is that you have learned how to do low and slow now.

[Jemezgracie]

Wise words to be sure!

[Jemezgracie]

Redman RonB I used a chimney to get charcoal hot before dumping in SnS. Ambient temperature about 80, but was pretty windy. Had best luck (getting temp to rise) with top vent open about 1/4" and bottom full open. Temp would occasionally get to 200, but not for long.
Over 5 hours I had to add charcoal twice.
I should say my kettle is the simple, old school. Weber says it is $109 on their website.