No it was perfectly dry. I'm wondering if I'm being too Yankee cheap and using fire bricks for a half basket cook. Maybe the fire bricks are preventing the ash from dropping properly; but I remember my last brisket cook last winter I had serious issues with fat drippings and ash clogging build up. Also my charcoal might be old because last Home Depot sale I stocked up.
I don't think it was the half basket and fire bricks. I've used that method a lot with good results. I will say however I never use it for a cook over about 3-4 hours. Usually they are short cooks and mainly chicken.
Could be old coal or maybe just a bad batch?? Having said that, I don't use KBB for anything other than the initial lighting of coals. I've been using Royal Oak lately since I can't find Stubb's anymore.