danielson23uk

Hi Cheshiresmoker, Welcome aboard. As Dutchy says, you're better off using briquettes instead of the lump wood. Lumpwood will just catch too fast and burn too hot. Also, these relatively basic BBQs from Argos etc. are notorious for the amount of air they let in which causes the burn to be too high and fast. Switch to briquettes and see how you get on there, but these types of BBQ are designed for direct grilling with a suggestion that they can be used for smoking, but their main design is direct heat or shorter indirect grilling.

Hey guys, Well our BBQ went off ok.. to the lay-person, but if I'm honest I struggled a bit. So I thought I'd write it up, look for comments and maybe help other newbies to avoid my mistakes. I also wanted to know how others plan for a BBQ where a variety of meats and techniques may be needed. We had a small group of 15 planned to attend, so I started off early doors with a low 'n' slow for the 2 racks of ribs. To be honest, this was just an experiment rather than catering for our party so the pressure was off, or so I thought. They went on at about 8am on an indirect heat of >105C. This was fine for a few hours but the heat started wane just as it was time to wrap them. I panicked and added some pre-lit coals from a chimney starter. Now I was battling the temp being too high. Nothing I did helped the temp. I closed my top dampers but the vents in the bottom are permanently open and the BBQ lets in air either side. For me, this is a classic example of the need for a 'proper' BBQ that is designed Direct/Indirect grilling. My Outback drum is a charlatan of the more serious indirect grilling BBQ techniques. The vents are permanently open on either end and there's just too much air getting in. A BBQing novice error to be heeded when buying or upgrading. The ribs were actually much better than a previous attempt, but they were very salty and hammy. So when I looked into this I learned that either cooking too long or too high can do this, but also seasoning too early - I had applied the rub the night before, including salt, so I think I over cured them. I also later learned, via a great vid on YouTube, that the 3-2-1 method is more of an illustration than a method. I think I should've monitored the internal meat temperature rather than arbitrarily use 3 hours followed by 2 and 1. I should've smoked to an internal temp of 74C. Then wrapped and and returned until an internal temp of 94C and then uncovered and started the glazing process. Loads learned from another 2 racks of ribs, but I'd appreciate any comments on some of my deductions. An hour before the party started to arrive, the plan was to put some of the leaner meats (pork chops and chicken) on a higher indirect heat and then just reverse sear. I quickly learned that I was very cramped for space (again because my BBQ is not designed primarily for indirect grilling. I persevered but now I'm up against the clock. Tummies are rumbling and there's still a mountain of burgers, sausages and kebabs to get on! I ended up doing most of the cooking over a direct heat and transferring to the oven indoors to keep warm, just so that everything can be ready at the same time. Does everyone do this? I've been to plenty of BBQs where it's served up as it comes off the grill and by the time burgers are done you're full from everything else! How do you serve up yours? Finally, I felt like mixing techniques of Direct/Indirect grilling is problematic and I got stressed. ie. You cannot indirectly cook food if you need the lid open to manage others while searing. Am I trying to do too much or is this all just down to my BBQ not being fit for purpose. Do people fire up 2 Qs for small parties to manage both techniques? Despite it not being an indirect Q, I do really like the Outback Drum for its direct grilling space. The lid folds all the way down to double the grill space. Going forward, dependent on your guidance, I plan to get a Weber kettle so that for bigger parties, I can and use it for all the Indirect stuff, using snake coals etc., but keep the drum for the direct stuff. Anyway, we got there. The food was lovely. The chops and chicken were the best I've done and everyone had a great time... Oh and Quins won the Premiership! #COYQ I look forward to your comments.

Hi Markie, Thanks for the quick response. My bbq does leak like a sieve! It's an Outback full drum (they stopped doing them in 2018). The front and rear edges close relatively closely but either side doesn't really meet. The bottom vents are just vents - permanently open. The charcoal area consists of 2x baskets (30cmx30cm approx.), one per grill. I'm not sure how I'd achieve a snake setup in such a small basket. Maybe I could just bank the coals either side in a 'minion' type approach but then I'm potentially doubling the fuel. Big birthday party coming up this weekend. I don't want to s@d up a couple of racks of ribs. I've got a digital thermometer on order for better temp illustration. I think I'll do the same but be heavier on the dampers while checking the temp with my gadget if it shows up in time. I'm planning on a 3-2-1 for the ribs and then review, re-fresh coals and re-set for the chicken etc. Already got my eye on a Weber 57cm kettle. Seems easier and more my style... Just not sure I can justify the £270 +/- notes at the moment when it may be that I'm just not doing the basics properly on what I've got. Outback Full Drum

Apologies if this question has been answered before. There are so many different types of bbq/smoker on here that I couldn't more generic advice on temperature control with charcoal grilling. My first experiment with indirect grilling or smoking was last week was with a rack of spare ribs. I have a drum-style of bbq so I put my coals up one end and the ribs on the grill near the middle, bone down. I was using lumpwood and noticed that the temp on the hood of the bbq rarely went above 180C and I'm neurotic about whether new coals will catch. Anyway, long story short, I think I cooked them too high (averaging 150C-180C) with no water bath, because although they were cooked and tender on the inside, they were tough and hard work on the outside. I also didn't wrap them, but we live and learn. My question (finally) is: How do you maintain a low temp like 105C (225F) using briquettes or lumpwood? Is it better appreciation of the damper on the lid or do you just add less fuel? I notice that some people dampen wood chips which would reduce temp but I'm so worried about new coals not catching. Also, what do you do if it's too hot? Again, is this the damper or physically removing coals. Sorry if this is a daft question.

Hi guys, Just found your forum and thought I'd join. I'm one of these philistines that has been cremating good food for years and trying to convince myself I like the taste of carbon! This year, with more time and inclination on my hands I've decided to cook instead of incinerate and naturally I'll need your guidance to help me with that. I currently have a 2017 Outback full drum which I'm enjoying struggling to get to grips with. It's currently serving a purpose but I can already see its limitations. Anyway, go easy on me, I'm new. I look forward to catching up with you all.