low temps

First large cook with the excel. 8 7lb butts and 2 11 lb briskets. Started about midnight and didn't allow the cooker to preheat much. wanted to run about 180 unless i kept the lowest door open. minion method. cooking at 195 at present, meat around 180. Can briefly get temp over 200 by adding wood with door open but falls off quikly back around 185? Haven't experienced this with my weber.

Hi Coonjack,

What fuel are you using, I did a similiar smoke last weekend and found that mine ran quite hot, I had to throttle the vents back to keep it cool. I loaded the charcoal basket as per the images in this post https://proq.forumotion.com/the-pub-f20/minion-variation-or-maybe-not-you-decide-t414.htm I only reloaded it at around 04:00 and it was good to go until mid afternoon.

Whats the outside temp (out of curiosity)

Beerz

Adie

I suggest only filling the pan half way.

using then minion method, like your pics, I will try less charcoal, kingsford by the way. I'm thinking don't be so hasty, let it come to temp first. Any way, the food was as barbecue is always fantastic, lots of compliments. Too much work. I also filled the water pan, not so much makes alot of sense. Thanks for the input.