Smoking on the Akorn...Is the charcoal volcano the best set up?

[worktogthr]

Recently acquired an Akorn with a side table at home depot for $80 on clearance...Having fun playing with it. So far I have followed the factory instructions as well as the suggestions of those on this forum as well as others and have also watched a bunch of videos on you tube. Most recommend arranging the charcoal in a volcano with space for airflow in the middle and around the outsides, then lighting half or even less than half of a weber starter cube to get the charcoal going. I am have both a PBC and a WSM 18 so I am used to just filling the charcoal basket, and dumping some hot coals on top and letting the minion method do its thing. Can this type of set up work for the Akorn? Can I just fill the basket with lump, put half of a fire starter cube in the middle at the top and let it do its things? I am lazy when it comes to arranging charcoal so I wondered if anyone has tried this or has any pictures of their akorn coal set up for a lower smoke, maybe 225-275 range. Thanks!

-Chris

 

[GA1dad]

An $80 Akorn,,,, you suck sir!!:clap2: Just kidding of course.

I run an Akorn sometimes. I generally start by placing a spray can in the center of the bottom grate,,,, building a lump charcoal bed all the way around the can,,,, then carefully remove the spray can leaving a 3 inch hole in the center for air flow. I generally light a couple of cotton balls soaked in alcohol for starters, but also use 2 half starter cubes from time to time. I also run a "Tip Top Temp" and love it. I have maintained a burn for 24 hours with this set up. ( But to be fair,,, I just left it burning after my cook and didn't open the lid after removing the meat until the next day.) I was shocked at how long it went when you leave it alone. The TTT will keep things rock steady.

 

[churrodog]

That is a killer deal you found!

I usually just fill the thing up and then burrow a hole in the middle and hit it with the torch. I messed with a chimney one time and decided it wasn't for me. The weber cubes were fine too.

This is just my experience, but mine does not like to run into the lower 225-250 range without choking it up a good bit. My intake typically stays just slightly under the "1" mark and exhaust a crack or two past the small "D" half circle. I use lump and it usually hums along at 300. They will hum along all day at 300-350, just got tired of fighting it at anything lower. Briquettes make it run closer to 275 with the same setup.

I actually started using a 14" round fryer basket for easy cleanup to mimic the kick ash basket available for eggs and such. Keep a 5 gallon bucket near by and shake out all of the ash.

 

[churrodog]

Pretty sure you will get the hang of it quickly with your PBC and WSM experience. It truly shines when cooking chicken or lean pork direct. Same intake setting as the indirect setup and opening the exhaust to about 1/4 open will put you right at 350-400 without a heat deflector. Makes for some easy meals once you get the hang of it.

 

[yakdung]

I found a similar deal years ago and purchased two. Still have one in the box in the garage.

 

[worktogthr]

Thanks guys for the info! Maybe a dumb question, but if I filled it with charcoal, burrowed a hole in the center, and then used the starter cubes, would i just aim to have the starter cube sitting on the bottom of the charcoal grate in the center of that hole so that the burn pattern of the charcoal is inside out. Kind of like the Harry Soo coffee can method for the WSM?

 

[smoke ninja]

First congrats on the akorn deal.

I bought mine used and modded from a friend, fellow brethren, ebijack. Even though ive never used it stock i still feel its the standard in "hot rod" akorns.

A key feature is the charcoal basket.





This allows for plenty of air flow.

He tricked this thing out. If you want to see more let me know.

 

[GA1dad]

I don't know about the OP,,, but I want to see more,,,,,, I believe I have some expanded metal laying around,,,, might give that basket a test drive.

 

[ebijack]

Yes, pile in your coals/wood and one starter cube work very well. No need to get the starter near the bottom, just as long as you have a few coals around the cube.
IMHO, if you want much easier control of your lower temps, a simple homemade cheap intake mod fixes the control issues as long as you don't have any leaks. And you can open the exhaust to at least #2 and get some air flow thru the Acorn. Also make a coal basket using your goal grate. I had mine go 27 hrs at 250 using what coals fit in the basket (just wanted to know how long it would go). Allows easy removal of left over coals and you can see where the ash pan is required to hang from when installing the pan.




About $6 for a 10ft roll of aluminum flashing, way more than your going to need. Trace out the shape of your intake slide cover, trim the aluminum with scissors, utility knife etc. You should have room behind the cover for this to fit in.


The neck of the wine bottle shape is about 1/8" for reference. The 2 marks are 250* to 310* on average. I preferred to have my slider with a tab on the right side so I cut out a new slider from the same aluminum. And no, it has never gotten to hot for the aluminum even at 700+*

 

[churrodog]

I can't force mine to burn in any one direction. One time it will move toward the intake and another it will go opposite. It was definitely helpful though to remove the intake slider and use copper RTV all the way around and then added two small patches of felt on the front and back of the slider. This blocks any excess air that you didn't set it for. They really don't use very much air or fuel.

 

[GA1dad]

I'm digging it ebijack, Thanks for sharing. I use the Akorn heat deflector,, I like the way the basket will keep the coals underneath the deflector.

I also bought a roll of nomex gasket and sealed the lid and ash pan and intake slider,,, it made a world of difference in heat control.

 

[Corky]

An $80 Akorn,,,, you suck sir!!:clap2: Just kidding of course.

I run an Akorn sometimes. I generally start by placing a spray can in the center of the bottom grate,,,, building a lump charcoal bed all the way around the can,,,, then carefully remove the spray can leaving a 3 inch hole in the center for air flow. I generally light a couple of cotton balls soaked in alcohol for starters, but also use 2 half starter cubes from time to time. I also run a "Tip Top Temp" and love it. I have maintained a burn for 24 hours with this set up. ( But to be fair,,, I just left it burning after my cook and didn't open the lid after removing the meat until the next day.) I was shocked at how long it went when you leave it alone. The TTT will keep things rock steady.

It may light faster if you leave the spray can in there. :shocked::mad2::becky:

 

[churrodog]

Just to supply an option to building your own basket, here is a pic of the basket I use. 14" round fryer basket off amazon and cut off the handles. Works great for ash cleanup and allows more consolidation of the coals and chunks and still runs 12+ hours.

 

[worktogthr]

Thanks again guys for all of the ideas. I am about the least handy person on earth, so cutting a handle off of a fryer basket seems like the best option for my limited skill set. Even that might be a stretch...I'll try not to hurt myself or anyone else in the process. hahaha I do like how easy it will make it to shake off the ash and reuse the partially burnt coals.

 

[worktogthr]

Just to supply an option to building your own basket, here is a pic of the basket I use. 14" round fryer basket off amazon and cut off the handles. Works great for ash cleanup and allows more consolidation of the coals and chunks and still runs 12+ hours.

I like this idea a lot! Have the link by any chance to the basket you bought? Not seeing it anywhere on Amazon. Thanks!

 

[churrodog]

I like this idea a lot! Have the link by any chance to the basket you bought? Not seeing it anywhere on Amazon. Thanks!

Thunder Group 14" Basket... can't forget a name like that. It could easily accommodate a slightly larger one if needed and if you could find one.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Thunder-Group-Basket-Extra-Large/dp/B001PZF2DY/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1458076524&sr=8-16&keywords=14%22+fryer+basket"]Amazon.com: Thunder Group 14 Inch Fry Basket, Extra Large: Kitchen & Dining@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51t-YrUaMkL.@@AMEPARAM@@51t-YrUaMkL[/ame]

 

[mrmarkfr]

I like this idea a lot! Have the link by any chance to the basket you bought? Not seeing it anywhere on Amazon. Thanks!

I do the same thing but with a SS mesh basket I picked up from the bbq section at Wally World.
I make a hole in the middle of my pile, stick a lighter wafer in there(the sawdust/wax type) and put a piece or 2 of lump on top of the hole.
Let it burn for a few minutes, then you're good to go.

 

[worktogthr]

Thunder Group 14" Basket... can't forget a name like that. It could easily accommodate a slightly larger one if needed and if you could find one.

Amazon.com: Thunder Group 14 Inch Fry Basket, Extra Large: Kitchen & Dining

Thanks so much! Too bad it's not prime, the shipping is almost as much as the item and it wouldn't be here until the 24th. I will check out if they have something similar at restaurant depot. I want to start experimenting this weekend. Thanks again!

 

[ebijack]

I don't know about the OP,,, but I want to see more,,,,,, I believe I have some expanded metal laying around,,,, might give that basket a test drive.

Another change I made was to stop using the CI grate. I hated that thing. I made a S.S. grate with handles that also holds the swing grate. Ninja will attest this really is what the Acorn should have came with.

 

[GA1dad]

I like the stainless grate. I suspect you could sell as many of those as you could make,,,