Hey all,
So I fired up my mini wsm today for the first time. Took out the charcoal grate in the bottom of the smokey joe, filled mostly with charcoal. Lit 12 briquettes and once they were gray, put them on top of the unlit coals, minion style. Got it going for about 10 minutes, , then put the IMUSA pot on top. At about a hour and a half in, temp was 170, top and bottom vent fully open. I went to church with the family. Came back from church, the temperature was 112! Some coals seemed lit inside, but not great. The only thing I can figure is that I have holes drilled in the bottom of my IMUSA pot, rather than cutting the bottom out, and it is starved of air. I have people coming over tonight, so I got a snake going in a kettle, and transferred the pork butt over to the kettle. Super frustrated. I sold my 18.5 WSM, thinking that the mini would handle my smokes as easily with less charcoal usage, but I'm wondering if I'm going to regret that decision. Any advice would be great. Thanks!