First butt in Gator

[Sprocket]

I just want to say right off "thanks Ritch". I don't know if it's a good or bad thing learning to smoke with a top notch smoker. It is not very painfull holding temps over a long cook. Maybe I should have cut my teeth with something less "user friendly?" :)
Butt was cooked for ten hours. Took it off at 185 due to the fact it was taking longer than I thought for the temps to rise. I seem to have hit two plateaus. One from 155 to 165 and then another at 175.
Applied TX BBQ rub, threw it on the smoker, and didn't touch it. No turning, no basting, and no foil. It was good. Had good bark and was very moist. I wanted to take it to 195 but it pulled pretty easily at 185. I was real happy with how it turned out and so was the family.
One thing I am having a small problem with is keeping a good bed of coals over a long cook. What do you all do to keep a good bed of coals? With the gator it holds temp with a small fire so you aren't piling a lot of wood to maintain a good bed. Any suggestions?
Hope you all enjoy my first pics. :D


http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=2dewa4hi.b9laat0u&x=0&y=-zbux76

[TexLaw]

You'll get the feel for your pit and how to keep coals with experience. Every pit is a little different. If you don't have problems with keeping proper and consistent temperatures, though, you don't have a problem with coals.

Congratulations on the butt. It looks great!


TL

[MI smoke]

I had the same "problem" with mine. Cut your wood into smaller pieces and add them more often. Like Tex said just takes a little practice.
Ya Gators hold the temp real well.