How High Should Basket Be?

[LeeBo]

I was getting my Old School 'dera ready for the new season and noticed the following.....

I have an expanded metal fire grate on shelf #1 (lowest) in the fire box. I have been using a basket that I set on the fire grate. However, I noticed that with a full basket, the top of the charcoal is inside the lid. (The lid coses fine.)

My point (question) is that with the charcoal being hire than the entry into the cooing chamber, am I loosing some efficiency? If so, I can remove the fire grate rack. However, I know I don't want the firebox on the ash pan, so what is the optimal height?

- LeeBo

[tommykendall]

Lee - I think most everyone is just using the bottom wrung of the firebox for the grate, with the basket on top of that - as you pointed out.

[The_Kapn]

lee,

My basket sits on the bottom rung.
It is 5.5 inches high.
Works wonderful :lol:

I do not know what would happen with a higher "top" level on a deeper basket.

If you are concerned, maybe you could just fill it part way and compare--don't know.

My "gut" is--as long as you have plenty of airflow, it should work fine.
But...?

TIM