5698k

If I'm cooking lo/slo, I like to wait at least an hour, many call it heat soaking. Essentially it's the same as pre heating, you're getting the whole interior up to the same temperature, helping with radiant heat, stabilization, and so on. Hot and fast, pretty much not too long after you get to target temp. Robert

It depends on what temperature you're going for. For 225°-275°ish, one spot, 300°-400°, two, and so on. It's also the type of thing you'll get used to, but it's a start. Robert

You really are on a different level than most, I wish I could cook more like that. Robert

If you're up anyway, then of course wait till then to lighting you prefer. I guess what I was getting at was the fact that a kk won't run out of fuel any time soon because of how well it's insulated. It's burn time vs coal capacity is incredible. Robert

Rak, yes, at low temperatures, indirect. I'm not saying that the entire inside is the same temperature, there is some airflow going on, but it's way less critical than in a grill that's not as well insulated. Robert

As far as fuel, let me say this. If I'm cooking ribs in the morning, I'll light the grill the night before, so it's ready when I am the next morning. If you ever run out of fuel during a cook, you really need some sleep. Robert

Well, you are!! Robert

NO ONE can resist!!! Robert

Clearly, this ain't your first rodeo!! Those ribs are gorgeous!!! Robert

I love that!! Robert

What color? Robert

Rehab is for quitters. Robert

Close your top vent a bit more, and maybe restrict the fan a bit. I just set mine and let it go, with never more that 5° overshoot. Robert

Poochie, I must respectfully dis agree. I can't tell you how many times I don't touch my bottom vent once set, and adjust temps by slightly rotating the top. You do have to keep up with rotations, but I can do that without bending over, and possibly spilling my beer. Robert

Rak..... As I told Bosceaux, it is futile to resist the power of the dark side!!!! (In my very best Darth Vader voice)!!! Robert

The opposite works too. Robert

It's amazing, the vent settings are about the same across the board I believe. Robert

Exactly, overshoot is not your friend with lo/slo's. You'll learn your vent settings for given temps to the point that if you're not in a hurry, you can light your fire, set your vents, and walk away. Robert

The problem came when you tried to cool it down. As massive as that grill is, it still takes an amazingly small amount of coal to get to 325°. Getting it down to 250°, with both vents closed, you've put your fire out, it's just taking that much mass a while to cool. You can hold low temps no problem, you're just gonna have to stop on the way up. Robert

It won't be as drastic, the kk is so well insulated, once it's soaked, there's not much heat differential at low temps. There's also another grate that can be used either on the firebox, or as a grate above the upper grate. Wilbur posted a pic where he did just that, with great success. Robert

The only reason I can imagine using the rear door is for the gas burner. As Dennis says, this isn't practical for lo/slo's. I find opening the front vents fully, and opening the top vent fully gets hot as fast as I want, and because mine is somewhat recessed, I wish that door wasn't there. Robert

I don't have pics, but a good friend has the bronze nebula tweed. It's striking!! It's not near as blingy as the bronze, so if you're worried about safe, you're fine. Robert

Mine bubbled, and liquid dripped. I just kept pushing the tiles back in place as it cooled, and I've never added any grout. Robert

Welcome.....to the dark side!!!! Robert

Hello Rak!!! Careful, all ya have to do is supply the tiles, Dennis will fix ya up!! Robert