How do you keep charcoal hot for for over an hour to cook a whole chicken.?

Question

this is using a weber charcoal grill. My coals never stay hot very long. I'm trying to cook beer-can chicken.

Answer 1

I'd try some different charcoal they should last 2 to 3 hours if you want you can keep adding charcoal as you cook. check and see if there is a airvent on the bottom to open maybe it's not getting air

Answer 2

Are you using an indirect gilling method? If you're following the traditional approach to beer-can chicken you will have a fire on each side and a drip pan of some type directly under the chicken. Weber makes a cooking grate for their 22" model that has swivels that allow you to add coals to each side as the cookout is in progress.

They generally recommend adding about 5 coals to each side every hour for things that require extended grilling time. If the lid of your grill has a thermometer, it should be 350°F to 375°F. Otherwise, you may need to begin with more coals (a bigger fire to start with).

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Lump charcoal (like mesquite) is great. Don't build the fire in the middle - build it around the edges in a circle. Light and wait for the coals to turn white. You can easily cook a chicken this way!

Answer 4

Hardwood charcoal will stay hot enough for your recipe. Another idea would be to use your charcoal chimney starter and to light some new charcoal part way through the cooking time and add them to the barbecue when needed.

Answer 5

You will need to add charcoal during cooking.

Or you could finish off in the oven. You will still have the flavor of the smoke and beer.

Answer 6

See if you can get any lumpwood charcoal, which I find stays hotter for longer than briquettes. The other option is to have two, side by side. Light the second one a little later, and swap the dish over.