New Chubby

[parkcitychubby]

Bought a new/used chubby from this site. Fired it up last night burned her for 10 hrs at 225. Would not believe it if I didn't see if for myself. Smoked a butt it was pretty good for a first attempt, I'm a complete rookie. My question is do you soak the wood and is the wood like everything else, crap at home depot and better quality at specialty stores. Also what type of lump charcoal do you recommended. I was looking for a little more smoke in the meat, thought soaking the wood may help.

[Old Dave]

I do not soak any wood for any cooker. If you like a more smoke flavor, use a stronger wood like hickory in the cooker.

Ozark Oak is by far my favorite lump charcoal but I usually use a good all hardwood brickette with only a wheat paste binder for all longer and overnight cooks.

[parkcitychubby]

Thanks. What brand. Whats the burn time of the lump, shorter I take it.

[Old Dave]

Stubb's, Wicked Good, Kingsford Competition, and any brand made by the Original Charcoal Company such as Rancher, Trader Joes and others. Look at the list of ingredients as you are looking for just Hardwood and a binder of some type to hold it together. Two ingredients are enough.

The burn time for lump would depend on the temp you plan to run, the load or amount of meat you are cooking, and if you are using the cooker wet or dry. Probably in the range of 4-1/2 to 7 hours before you would need to add additional fuel and or water.