Lump and Briq Mix in UDS, whats your arrangement and mix ratio?

I started using Lump mixed in my briqs in my UDS and have noticed it is harder to maintain temperature. I am assuming the ash is either developing more from the Lump and or its not falling off as efficiently.

I did a 14 hour cook last night and when I run all briquettes I have to have very little intervention. Valves or kicking.

Last night I had too kick the UDS for ash to fall pretty frequently. If I didn't watch to closely I would drop to 190* , which lead to me playing musical intakes last night chasing temps.

By the end of the cook I had all three intakes wide open and could only get approx. 200*.

5 pounds of briqs, and and approx, 3 pounds of RO Lump. My basket is 12" wide by 12 inches tall and sits 2 and 3/4" from my ashtray.

I poured the briqs in first lump on top , then just kinda stirred it all. Then dropped my hickory chunks on top in an arrangement. Started15 briqs or so in a chimney and dumped dead center.



Disregard the coals in the basket, these shots are from a cold basket with old coal in it.

Think I'm gonna go back to briqs exclusive to test and tune in my skillz, then experiment.
I was getting 12 hour burns on 5 pounds only have to kick the can for ashes maybe 2 to 3 times.

Its been a struggle with lump. Another positive my Blue bag K briqs are the good kind from what I read. I use the Lump cuz I heard lots of talk about the petro smell from unlits. However I never smelled it. Then I read that east of the rockies tend to get hickory and oak in their briqs. I would ave to agree, all the briqs I have ever used smell great.

ComputerMike said:

I use a full basket of lump with a coffee can of briquettes in the center (coffee can pulled out) and get 16-18 hours ish depending on the weather

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What kind of lump? How are your intakes setup? How big is your fire box?
How often do you have to jiggle off ash? How many pounds of lump initially?

Sorry for so many questions, just curious why my results vary so greatly.

Maybe it's your inytakes that make the difference. 1 inch holes and magnets is a Lot of
air. My holes are approx. A half inch with ball valve and caps.