blacksmith
Got Wood.
I have used my PBC twice since I last posted and tried lighting it using a chimney as recommended by others. I also rotated the coal basket after 90 minutes of cooking. The food was very good but the PBC didn't really work much differently. The coals still burned a little sluggishly.
As has been said already, the chimney makes a lot of difference, it will do it's job given enough time. If success is eluding you, give everything more time.
Also, the common conception about putting all the hot coals in the middle of the fuel sounds good but when I see how much influence the air vent has on the burn pattern, I believe putting my coals on the far side of the basket and that away from the vent makes more sense - to me. This is not a Weber Kettle.
I guess i will try letting the coals really get going before putting on the meat which is counter to Noah's instruction video. Also i will go from 75% to 100% open on the air vent.
Really, this is the determining factor even if you have problems with anything else. With the lid off, the PBC will chew through fuel and build up BTUs like crazy. You want a strong, robust fire going. investing time and patience here will pay off throughout the cook.
The PBC is not making decisions for you like a pellet cooker, it passively manages what you have provided. It can't improve anything, it is a limiting device. Give it something to limit.