Summit charcoal start up help

[Mx5]

I am new to charcoal and i am trying to figure is out.
I start the grill with the propane and get the charcoal red.
Then I close up the vents to try and get the temp down for smoking.
The problem is that it is over 300 an I have to close is all of the way in order to get it to come down and it took almost an hour to get the temp right and even then it was a 270 for most of the time.
Should I only light a smaller section of charcoal?
Or am I using to much.
I was using lump with some mesquite chunks on top

[fedex]

How long did you run the burner?  What were setup for? Grilling, Off set cooking or smoking?  Did you read the manual?  I used mine for the first time today.  No problems.  Where in OC @Mx5 I'm in Cypress.

[irv39]

I  have a kick ash basket that i had for another grill that i use and it works out great the handles on the kab  sit a little higher but the diffuser fits on there ok, and what i like about it is when i done cooking and the next day i just stir the burned  charcoal and ashes fall down then add new charcoal on top of old, works real good. as far as starting with mine with the kab i light with propane and let it go for about 5-10 min then close dome and wait till temp hits about 200 then add diffuser and grate and then adjust vents to keep around 225-250.    here's a picture of the kab after a cook before i stirred it.

[Mx5]

I ran the propane for 15 minutes and then put the diffuser in closed it up,  at that point it is already way too hot.  It sounds like I should not run the propane that long.

[Mx5]

I may look into the kick ash, it is a pain moving the charcoal up and down, I bought another charcoal grate for the top level, but now when I want to come back up i am gong to be picking up coals from the bottom.  Does it hold enough for a long smoke?
I see that they make different models, which one do you have?
I did email them to see if they are making one for the summit

[irv39]

This is the one i have. seems they are out of stock, i bought for the big steel keg

http://www.kickashbasket.com/store/product-detail.php?product_id=2

[irv39]

As for as long run I run a test a couple weeks ago i'll see if i can find it.  here it is if it will post.

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/summit-charcoal-test/

[DirectDrive]

It sounds like you are lighting too much charcoal.
Once you over-shoot your desired temp it can be hard to bring it down.....harder yet with a well-insulated cooker like Summit.
I don't have a Summit (yet) but I like to start  fire control when I am 20°F (or so) below my target temp.

I would use a shorter duration time on the gas assist and go from there.
In short order you will get your routine established.

[fedex]

The manual says to use the starter for 7 minuets for smoking.  I used it for 5 minutes..  Temp control was easy..  settled in at 245° and just cruised there.

[Mx5]

I think less time with the propane and less charcoal will help. I was worried that I was not getting the coals hot enough.

I will have to get a basket. I Had to move from from the lower level to the top today and made a mess. Half of the old charcoal fell to the bottom.