New CTO fire basket

[SmokyOkie]

I burned the CTO with charcoal/wood only using the fire
basket that came with it and I only got 3 1/2 hours @ 275°.

I didn't think that was long enough so I ordered one of their XL competition baskets.

Here is a comparison shot:



It holds about twice as much fuel so I hope it will burn twice as long. I'll find out today when I cook a brisket.

[SmokyOkie]

Been running about 275°. I added 2 or 3 pounds at the 4 hour mark, I didn't really need to, and prolly shouldn't have, because now I won't know how long it would run on the first load.

Anyway, it is at the 6 hour mark now and still holding just fine.

[PigCicles]

Sometimes you just need a little more or ummmm a little bigger ... ah heck good deal Tim. Next time let it go so you know how long you get from a full basket.

[Fatback Joe]

About how much does it hold loaded up?

[SmokyOkie]

I put about 8" in it along with 2 thin splits. I added the 2 or 3# to it and ended up with just under a 9 hour burn. Plenty adequate.

Oh yeah, I did preheat the unit prior to lighting the charcoal.

[swamprb]

How do you fire it off? Minion or is there an igniter?

[SmokyOkie]

I use the igniter and only light a small spot. The blower blows in the same spot as it i\lights the charcoal so it seems to make sense to me.