onemanlan
Full Fledged Farker
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- Don't overshoot your target temp. I overshot the target temp on my third test burn to about 290, and it took a couple of hours to come back down to 225.
- I'm still experimenting on the best way to bring it up to temp with my Fireboard 2 Drive. It takes at least 90 minutes to get to 225, which based on some of the comments here and Youtube videos, seems to be on the longer side. So far it seems like the best way I've found (but also the longest) is to keep the Fireboard damper open 1/3, the intake open 1/3, and the vent to 1/2. Let the Fireboard fan run 100% to around 190, and then dial the max fan speed down to 40%. But, I'm still experimenting and open to other ideas.
- I've tried both Royal Oak lump and KBB briquettes. It could be me still getting used to the smoker, but briquettes seem to burn longer and show a more consistent burn pattern when I'm done...
- On the fence about the t plates. They don't seem to stay in place when I close the box. I'll give it a few more cooks but some firebricks may be in my future...
Your start up procedure sounds right. Let it go 100% up until 50 or so degrees off your set point. Start clamping down on intake(or use choke) & exhaust to slow the heating process. Much like a kamado you kind of want to slide gently into your intended temp.
While lump charcoal is serviceable in the IVS its less than ideal compared to briquettes due to lump's irregular sizing. The regular sizing of the briquettes lend to better packing in the firebox comparatively. I Find that lump tends to leave large, useful chunks behind. During a cook you could use a rake to corral them together for extended cooking time. Alternatively you can re-use them for future cooks.
T-plates for the firebox? For my IVS I found the T plates being most useful in shorting the firebox in order to keep the charcoal bed as deep as possible. With the IVS efficiency you likely don't need a full basket of charcoal (you said 28 hr for 1x18# bag, right?). When you get a feel for how much charcoal you do need you can reduce your overall charcoal consumption by shorting the firebox & keeping a smaller charcoal bed than you otherwise would filling it up 100%. Keeping the bed in a small area & deep is better than in a large area & thin. Charcoal seems to burn more efficiently as a thicker bed than thinner. For stuff like ribs & chicken I don't fill the firebox more than 1/3 full.
Very happy to hear you like your cooker. I eyeballed that IVS for a long time before going elsewhere. Still wonder what could have been lol. Maybe one day I'll get my hands on one.
Happy smoking brother! Also post some pics when ya can!