-Take the meat out of the fridge and set it on the counter. You could go straight from the fridge to your cooker, but it will take longer to cook. Besides, you've still got about an hour before your coals are ready.
- For the ECB Minion Method, you'll need to start about 16 charcoal briquettes in your chimney starter (now would also be a great time to start a kettle of boiling water). Then, when they have ashed completely over and are white-hot, put them carefully in your charcoal pan ON TOP of the unlit briquettes and in the CENTER. (refer to the picture) IMPORTANT: Here is where we have to be very specific with this cooker. In the picture below, the matchboxes represent where you want to put the hot briquettes. This way, they'll burn outward and downward at a controlled rate. If you don't do it this way, your entire pan will heat up too fast and you'll have a heckuva time trying to get the temps under control. Also, notice the placement of your soaked wood chunks (leaning them along the rim will lessen the chance of a total wood flare-up (though it may still happen). The beauty of the Minion Method is that you can immediately start loading the cooker up at this point (I know it's not up to temp yet, and the coals aren't all lit....but that's what we want).
- put the cooking chamber over your firepan (please tell me you made this mod). Fill your water pan with boiling water (carefully, you got plenty of time). Put your cooking grates in, and spray down with PAM or wipe down with oil. Since we're only making one thing today, we will use the TOP grid which runs hotter and drier than the bottom grid (i.e. cooks faster and makes a crunchier bark).
Carefully place your masterpiece in the center of the grid, trying not to lose any of the rub you took so much care in applying (salad gloves are great for this).
Notice the placement of the remote thermometer probe (if you're using one). It is at "grill-level" so you really know what your meat is doing (don't EVEN get me started on the ECB's "heat-indicator")
Now, say a little prayer and put the lid on the cooker (*option here for later, you can also close up the gap around the lid with foil when you get more advanced and have a top vent made)
Go get a hot cup of coffee, and come back in about 5 minutes to check the temp.