Need help with temp problem

[CrimsonSmoke]

All of a sudden I have started having trouble keeping smoke box above 200. I have a Bandera with baffle mod and fire grate that is on the 1st shelf from the bottom of fire box.

I start with a minion method using about a full weber chimney starter of hot coals. After putting hot coals on I add a small hickory log on top. Could it be that I am not putting enough unlit charcoal? Also I am using Rancher charcoal.

I did get one cook that held the somke box at 250 nicely. Wish i remember what I did.

Does it matter how hot the fire box gets? I have temp gage on it.

Does the smoke box need to be at cook temp b4 i load. If so how do I get it to temp and then load minion method.

Will adding to much charcoal or wood when reloading cause bad smoke?

I am not sure what has happened the last few cooks. It seems that after learning a few things i have gotten worse.

 

[River City Smokehouse]

I'm not a Bandera user but it sounds to me like you may need to mix in some lump with your charcoal and continue using the minion method.
Ater the first bit if charcoal I would start adding already lit coals to the fire. You don't need to preburn lump charcoal but I do anyways.

 

[BBQchef33]

You need to read bandera 101 too.

You didnt say if your using a basket or not, but if not, and your just loading the box with charcoal and dumping a chimney on top, i am surprised your not complaining about temps going to high.

I have my grate at the level just below the opening to the smoke chamber.

are you looking for and extended burn? if not, your better off with a smaller fire and a single log or chunks. also, what are your damper settings.

Ideally, temps controls on the bandera are best achieved with the size and location of the fire(in the firebox), than the dampers. I like coasting with chimney wide open and firebox damper at about 1/2-3/4 open.

 

[CrimsonSmoke]

Thanks guys. Poobah thanks for the reminder about the 101 doc. I had read it awhile back but forgot about it. Going to give it another shot will update on the outcome later.

 

[CrimsonSmoke]

Problem solved. Thanks for the advise. I used my probe to check temp in smoker box (don't why I didn't think of it b4) and the gage was off by 50 just as stated in the 101 doc. Also played with placement of fire and dampers boy did it every help thanks again guys.