Here's the video I made of my first cook on my Lone Star Grillz offset smoker including the growing pains. Each cook will be an evolution as I've been making my own observations and I'm receiving great advice on how to better start my fire.
I hope the sound is better than the last one. I'm saving up to get better equipment for future videos.
I’m enjoying following you as you learn not only a new smoker, but a new smoking method as well. With your logical approach to problem solving you will be knocking it out of the park soon. Keep them coming sir.
Great video, brother! I don't have an LSG, but in my offsets, I usually use one unlit (full sized) Weber chimley, then dump one fully lit on top, them throw in 2-4 hickory splits...mine are not split down small; they're 'firewood-sized'.
I have th doors wide open, til I get me a fire rollin well, then I close th cook box, start bringin temps up.
When they git up in cookin range, only then do I need to close/regulate my firebox door...
Lonestar Grillz 24x36 offset smoker, grill, w/ main chamber charcoal grate and 3 tel-tru thermometers - left, right and center
Yoke Up custom charcoal basket and a Grill Wraps cover.
22.5 copper kettle w/ SnS, DnG, BBQ vortex, gasket and stainless steel hinge kit.
Napoleon gas grill (soon to go bye bye) rotting out.
1 maverick et-733 digital thermometer - black
1 maverick et-733 - gray
1 new standard grilling remote digital thermometer
1 thermoworks thermopen mk4 - red
1 thermoworks thermopop - red
Pre Miala flavor injector
taylor digital scale
TSM meat grinder
chefs choice food slicer
cuisinhart food processor
food saver vacuum sealer
TSM harvest food dehydrator
First off Ken I will say the birds chirping in the background drove my dogs crazy for a couple of minutes. 😊
Seriously though. You’re making some good progress on your way to mastering your LSG.
It will take months for sure.
As you said in your video. Start with a full chimney of KBB. You don’t need to waste money using lump.
You also want a little bigger fire. That will get your temps up quicker and hold there better.
If you want to use the firebox door for air flow control like I do, when you get the fire rolling nicely play with the door. See how the temps change with the door cracked just a little bit and than 2-3†open than 4-5†open.
Also I don’t see you using a digital thermometer. The Teltru is ok but mine are 25* off on the low side from what the grate temps are actually at.
Ken you know how to get a hold of me.
Keep up the good work brother.
Thanks again Steve B. I actually recorded that video prior to the 4th of July when you shared some tips with me. I used my Fireboard on the 4th to get a better ambient temp reading at the the grate level. I really appreciate your assistance.
kenrobin That Steve B character has got it goin on, comes to burnin them sticks, an such!
Great source of information, in my considered experience.
Helluva nice guy, as well! Always nice to meet some of those, in ones life.
Here is how I start a wood fire in my firebox that heats my house. First, lay some cardboard in the bottom of the firebox. Then put two large pieces in with the ends facing the door and towards the side. Crumple newspaper and lay between the two large pieces. Then make a grate by putting finely split kindling so that the ends of it are on top of the larger pieces and covering the newspaper. Put two or three larger pieces on the grate you just made with the ends facing the door, then some kindling on top of them. You can even put some newspaper or cardboard strips between the larger pieces. Light the newspaper. Add paper until the kindling gets going. The kindling will eventually collapse and the larger pieces will be burning nicely. Add more wood you'll have a nice fire going in the same time you would be dumping your chimney of charcoal into the firebox. Another tip, keep the door just cracked until the fire is going.
Thanks, I placed my order for the larger Kindling Cracker this weekend. I also found a tree service company in my town that sells seasoned oak for $300 per cord which is a much better price than others that I've come across in the Bay Area. I will probably buy 1/3 of a cord from them.
Always nice to meet some of those, in ones life.
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