I used my cobb for the first time on Sunday, was on special at the cobb stand at the Ideal Home Show in London.
Cooked a couple on large pork chops with a bone and veg (carrots,parsnip and pots) in foil in the cookers moat.
Eight briqettes were used a couple of fire lighter under the coal. Took about 25 mins for the coal to get up to temp and to turn grey and hot. Similar to use as bbq turning chops every 10 mins and then putting dome cover back on. Vege came out perfectly cooked and the pots were roasted !!. Grill pan easy to clean (non-stick). Coals still hot hour and half later
For best results, get some coconut shell briquettes as they are high pressured machine compacted without added chemicals and they have very little residual ashes afterwards. There are no added 'clay' bits for volume either. Tesco's have some very good briquettes as well but they've added a fuel for easy lighting and packed them in portion bags in a large sack. Still, if using a small bag of them you'll have a good heat for a steady hour before temperatures slowly decline. I.m.h.o. far better (and cheaper!) than the overrated heatbeads that go for rediculous prices. There's nothing more secret about them than the hardpressed cocobriquettes but because of the fancy shape and rate of equal burning very expensive.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.