Is there any preferences to where the starting lit coal should be? I have read that starting the lit coals on the far left side opposite where the plug is because of the pattern. However, this was on a charcoal that had the snapjet ignition that may cause the burning pattern to pull in that direction. Any thoughts on this question? Let me know if I need to clarify if I am not clear in my explanation.
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I don't think so. If you mean the Weber Summit E6, it is in essence a kamado. Temperature control is by airflow, not so much with coal placement. The Summit differs from a kettle by shape and the inclusion of a heat deflector. You can also use briquettes, while ceramic kamados like lump better (lump results in less ash, and ceramic kamados have less space under the firebox for ash collection).
If you want smoking temperature, I would try laying off the gas ignitor. You do not want to get all the coals lit, it will be far too hot. Keep the gas on for 2 - 3 minutes. Maybe less. Enough to start a small fire, then use the vents to determine how hot it burns. Less air for lower temperature, more air for higher. My experience suggests the TOP VENT is the most important, the bottom can be open wider than it needs to and as long as there are no air leaks the top vent does the heavy lifting. The amount of charcoal you start with effects the temperature you can attain AND how long you can hold it.
I have a kamado, but it is ceramic (Primo XL). No matter what the desired temperature is, I top off the firebox and light a small fire on the side where the air vent is. If I want a hotter fire I have a hand crank blower I can use to get a fire going and then leave the lid up. For a smaller fire I leave the lid open for long enough to see stuff glowing then I close the lid, set the vents, and make sure I can feel hot air leaving the top vent. If I can't feel hot air leaving that means zero flow and the fire will die. If I want 225 degrees (for example) it does not matter how much charcoal I put in, the fire only consumes what the airflow allows. More fuel just means longer burn time.
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