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how much is a good amount of charcoal to use to maintain a good temp for a long cook when first firing up an offset.my cook chamber is 48in long 20 inch diameter insulated firebox 18x18x18 my temp fluctuates a lot and I don't know why! The opening from firebox to chamber is 4in x 12in and smoke stack is 42in tall and 3 inch in diameter any suggestions on why temp is so hard to hold? steel on cook chamber is approx. 3/16 inch or should I just get a guru

thanks Bludawg that's the info I have been needing to know that it does cook in a zone thought I was doing something wrong not being able to run at a consistent 250 for hours on end and was constantly making adjustments to the damper this is my first build and experience with a stick burner other than what I have read so didn't really know what to expect from a stick burner and will use the advise

thanks offthehook appreciate the comments also like the Ferrari comment from Blu I'm proud of it