-Chris-
Knows what a fatty is.
I have owned a Mixon 36" H2O stick burner for a little over a month, so I am an expert! My firebox has the same massive expanded metal grate that does not hold coals. I ended up putting a grill vegetable basket like this one in my smoker.
https://www.amazon.com/Vegetable-HomEco-Professional-Quesadilla-Accessories/dp/B01MFEYF8K
I light an entire chimney of lump which nicely fully fills the basket. I then start placing sticks on top of the coal bed to start the smoking process. I can easily maintain a 50 degree swing even in the freezing temps we have in the Northeast. I keep my dampers always fully opened and control the temp through the amount of wood I add to the fire.
I would try a basket to hold the coal bed.
Chris
https://www.amazon.com/Vegetable-HomEco-Professional-Quesadilla-Accessories/dp/B01MFEYF8K
I light an entire chimney of lump which nicely fully fills the basket. I then start placing sticks on top of the coal bed to start the smoking process. I can easily maintain a 50 degree swing even in the freezing temps we have in the Northeast. I keep my dampers always fully opened and control the temp through the amount of wood I add to the fire.
I would try a basket to hold the coal bed.
Chris