Question About Grilling

[Snakes Gould]

It was already late that night, so I had to settle for microwaved hot dogs to go with my four side dishes.

i could REALLY go for some grilling...havent done any all summer

[JTWood]

I had a first in grilling last week. I had to throw out everything I had cooked on the grill because everything was covered in charcoal dust (I don't use gas). Here's what I think happened:

I cleaned my grill of the old ash before cooking, like always. I used the same charcoal brand I've been using for two years, same lighter fluid, and same technique (covered cooking). The only thing I changed was that I opened up the bottom vents on my pit wider than normal.

I understand that the physics of what I did would create an updraft. I actually wanted that to happen. I was hoping my coals would burn hotter with the extra oxygen and that the updraft would create more of a convection thereby cooking the meat more evenly. However, I didnt' think it would create such a large updraft that it would aerosolize the ash.

Have you guys ever had anything like that happen to you? I'd never heard of that happening before.

I cook on my grills about 5 times a week and I can't remember that ever happening to me. Had the charcoal possibly been wet?

Actually, I think this is the bag that got wet one day. Does that matter?

[Omaha Red Sox]

Quite a few grilling experts on the lightside. I suggest PMing either Swiper or knapplc.

[acsguitar]

Quite a few grilling experts on the lightside. I suggest PMing either Swiper or knapplc.

I hear knapplc is the devil...he should be good at grilling

[raiders_umpire]

I cook on my grills about 5 times a week and I can't remember that ever happening to me. Had the charcoal possibly been wet?

Actually, I think this is the bag that got wet one day. Does that matter?

Yep, that would be the problem. Wet charcoal besides not cooking like it should, will also come apart and ash up. Just throw that bag away, and get you a new bag.

[JTWood]

I cook on my grills about 5 times a week and I can't remember that ever happening to me. Had the charcoal possibly been wet?

Actually, I think this is the bag that got wet one day. Does that matter?

Yep, that would be the problem. Wet charcoal besides not cooking like it should, will also come apart and ash up. Just throw that bag away, and get you a new bag.

Well, there you go. Thanks for the tip. I was unaware.