Royal Oak Lump in Wsm

[Minnesota smokin]

Last weekend decided to try out some RO lump, in the WSM 22.5, avg temp after all bottom vents closed was 400, had 2
chuck roasts on there getting sum love with mesquite.. To hot of a burn for this guy..

[tomshoots]

Never used a WSM or RO lump myself. But yeah, 400 deg. is pretty hot.

How did you light your coals? Did you use the Minion Method?
Light a small amount of charcoal and place it on top of your unlit charcoal with some wood chunks for smoke. Control the temp using the bottom vents before it gets too hot.

Hope this helps.

[BYBBQ]

If it got that hot and you couldn't control the heat with the bottom vents closed, it sounds like you lit too many coals to start, let it get too hot before you shut the vents, or you have an air leak somewhere that is keeping the fire burning too hot.

[Minnesota smokin]

Thanks for the tips, but to answer your questions, yes I did do the minion method, I lit about 6 lumps in the chimney.. I shut the bottom vents down around 235, give or take.. When I use briquettes I start about 12, in the chimney, and do the minion , and can run 250 +or-.. Just one of those days.. I ran lump in my offset before and remembered it did run hot.. Thanks again for the info..

[tomshoots]

Guess you just need to get used to how that particular coal runs. Been there...

[SmokyOkie]

Royal Oak is nearly identical to my usual lump. I never had any problem controlling the temp in my big WSM. Somehow, I think you have gotten a larger fire mass involved at one time than what you wanted to to hold temps where you want.

[Hookin' Bull]

When running my 22.5 " WSM I would open all 3 intake vents only 1/8" prior to starting the minion method and leave them there the entire cook. Would hold 225° steady for 14 hours.