For all you 22.5 WSM owners out there, I have been reading where you can get 12 plus hours out of one load of charcoal. I seem to have problems doing that. Did 2 briskets and 2 butts today, and had to add more fuel after about 6-7 hours after temps dropped below 225. Threw in probably 30-40 more briquettes and was able to finish the smoke but was wondering how you guys do it? I did use the water pan with a gallon of water, is this the reason? The last time I did a long smoke, omitting water in the pan did not seem to make much difference. Obviously I'm not understanding something here. Appreciate some feedback from anyone.

I may have answered one of the problems, seems if you're using the blue bag which I do, getting all the ash out of the way seems to help a bunch. After stirring some the temp shot up dramatically and held.

The blue bag charcoal briqs burn so fast that...well you already figured that out...Try a different type of briqs...The Stubbs briqs are much more well behaved in my smokers....but more expensive...

I may have answered one of the problems, seems if you're using the blue bag which I do, getting all the ash out of the way seems to help a bunch. After stirring some the temp shot up dramatically and held.

Yeah, that worked for me also. Rich warned me that Kingsford is known for ashing up & potentially choking a fire out/down. I also have had to add fuel mid-cook on butt cooks. Gonna check out some other brands & lighting/burning methods as well.

Kingsford Comp, RO Lump or Stubb's is the way I roll...Used a mix of Comp and Stubb's yesterday on a turkey was still @ 250 10 hrs later

Yeah, I'd change brands of briqs... I use Stubbs in my 18.5's and get 10 to 12 hour burns easily. :thumb: