Getting up to heat

Hi Folks,

I have just purchased the Frontier and I wondered if I could get your advice on using it properly. I seasoned the BBQ at the weekend prior to the first use and I couldn't get the temp past 300 degrees.

I didn't have a chimney starter so I stacked the coals in a pyramid and let them get to the stage they where all covered in white ash with very little flame. Do I need to start cooking on them earlier to get the higher temp?

Also I had both stackers in place and both vents fully open ( i did vary the vents but did not get any change really.) It remained pretty constant at 300 for at least an hour and a half. I was using the BIG K charcoal which did seem to of been on the forecourt of the garage for a while so would this of made a difference?

I have ordered some of the coconut chips today

I would appreciate any tips to be honest on using it properly if you have the time. I can't wait to try smoking some ribs and trying pulled pork

Steve

Should the frontier of come with the fish/meat hooks or do I need to buy those?

Thanks

Hi Steve,
First thing is that smoking/ real BBQ is done "Low and Slow" at temperatures between 200 and 250 Deg F, occasionally you may want to run it at temperatures in excess of 300, this is usually achieved by running a "dry" waterpan. The only time I use this method will be when I want to crisp the skin on a chicken, but I only run it at that temperature for 1/2 an hour at the end of the cook.
Have a look here for the post on setting up.
https://proq.forumotion.com/proq-tips-and-hints-f17/getting-up-to-temperature-t29.htm

The Frontier should come with a fish hanger (including 5 hooks), but sometimes the packing dept mess up... let me know what you're missing and I'll send them out to you.

You may also want to have a look here http://www.probbq.co.uk/Tips.html

There are some basic recipes here http://www.probbq.co.uk/Recipe.html

Ian

Thanks so much for the info, I was running without the water pan so that makes sense then

I got the hanger but not the hooks, I checked both sites out and all the tips I can find and its a mind field but I can't wait to get cracking.

SteveWebster wrote:I got the hanger but not the hooks, I checked both sites out and all the tips I can find and its a mind field but I can't wait to get cracking.

The Hooks are on their way (with the other stuff you ordered) thanks

It is all a bit daunting to start with... maybe too much information out there, I found it was best just to try something, just be sure to give yourself lots of time.


Ian

I can run my frontier over 300 without the water pan and maintain those temps as long as I want. As Ian said the smoker is really designed for low and slow smoking as apposed to grilling temps. It can be used as a grill and it works very fine as such.

I can get over 7 hours with water in the pan at a constant temp in the range of 225 with no problem.

Fill the charcoal pan with unlit coals and add about 10 or so briquettes to the top.. Works very good.