New charcoal, 4 starting tabs, ~15min to ~600 degrees for searing. Assuming steaks, 2-3Min/side, shut down the bottom air, open up the top and let them finish bathing in smoke until they reach the internal temp you want. Thickness dependent it's 6-10min for med-rare for us.
If I'm getting coals going for a low/slow cook I get a much smaller pile of charcoal very hot then dump in the rest of what I need. Leave the bottom wide open and the cover open for 5-7Min and you're coals will be going enough to stay lit for a long time. Tamp the air down until you have the internal temp you want. Give or take I have the bottom about 25% open and the top about 1/3-1/2 open for 250-275 for hours and hours.
FWIW, I have the XL size. Winter adds less warm-up time to the BGE than it does my 3-burner Weber Genesis.
Last edited by horse1; 03/01/21.
