How to keep a coal barbecue going?

ahfh1

Question for those barbecue experts out there....

Here's the scenario...

I've finally managed to get my coal barbecue lit and all the coals are nicely glowing red after waiting half an hour.

But within another half hour, the coals have died down in heat. What's the best way to keep the BBQ going? Should I keep adding coal periodically (say every 10 mins) and the will the new coals catch the heat? If so then do I add additional firelighter blocks/liquid, or will the residual heat from the old coal suffice? Or effectively start again and light a new big batch of coal (but this means waiting half an hour until the coal is glowing red, and that means a lot of hungry people!)?

Gimlet

Get yourself a chimney starter - by far the easiest and fastest way to get your coals going. When the heat from the coals in the barbeque is starting to die down get another load in the chimney and off you go.

System

does the bbq have a lid on it?
the way i usually do it is to get some going in the chimney starter, put that in once it's going 10-15 mins, then fill up the bbq with more coals and let them burn to cooking temperature, then close the top and bottom vents which slow the burning right down, then you can adjust the temp with the vents as it goes...

ahfh1

Yes, it is a kettle BBQ with a lid. I'll try and close off all the vents.

I'll also get a chimney starter - I've heard good things about them.

mamabear_2

personally I have always used the coal bags(they are lighter fuel soaked bags with coal in them already) ( a slightly dearer option but so worth it when you have spent ages to keep the flippin thing alite.) you just put one or two into the bbq and lite the edges. they go up like a house and have lasted the cooking of all the food for over an hour. also b cos they get so hot quickly if you do go on longer than the bag lasts you can either add another bag or get some cheapy bbq coal and add it when the coals are hot.

The only thing I would suggest is that if you do add another bag is take any food off other wise it might b a bit whiffy.