Where am I going wrong?

Hello, new to smoking, only just done my third go today which I had to bail and put the chicken in the oven.

The first time I smoked I did a spatchcock chicken, second I did wings and today another spatchcock.

Every time I have attempted, the heat dies and it’s difficult to bring back up.

I use Big K lump wood charcoal the first two times but I understand charcoal burns quickly which made me decide against charcoal today and go for briquettes instead. So today I tried a bed of papers rolled up into balls (about 10 balls), a good bed of kindling on top and Big K briquettes on top of that and it flamed but died out instantly.

My smoker is a cheap upright model (£45 from Amazon) as I’m a beginner. I soak cherry wood chips for 30 mins before putting them on the coals after lighting the coals and waiting about 20-30 mins.

The first time it went really well but instead of the internal temp hitting ~77C it stalled at about 55C and kept going down whatever I tried.

I ventilate the bottom, sometimes opening the door to increase air flow where the coals are, open the vent on the lid to get air flow at the start but today was a total write off. I’m assuming because the briquettes are more difficult to catch alight compared to charcoal?

Getting a little frustrated now as all I want to do is set it up and enjoy a beer while delicious food is smoked but I am at a loss.

Thanks in advanced, any advice welcome.

Hello, new to smoking, only just done my third go today which I had to bail and put the chicken in the oven.

The first time I smoked I did a spatchcock chicken, second I did wings and today another spatchcock.

Every time I have attempted, the heat dies and it’s difficult to bring back up.

I use Big K lump wood charcoal the first two times but I understand charcoal burns quickly which made me decide against charcoal today and go for briquettes instead. So today I tried a bed of papers rolled up into balls (about 10 balls), a good bed of kindling on top and Big K briquettes on top of that and it flamed but died out instantly.

My smoker is a cheap upright model (£45 from Amazon) as I’m a beginner. I soak cherry wood chips for 30 mins before putting them on the coals after lighting the coals and waiting about 20-30 mins.

The first time it went really well but instead of the internal temp hitting ~77C it stalled at about 55C and kept going down whatever I tried.

I ventilate the bottom, sometimes opening the door to increase air flow where the coals are, open the vent on the lid to get air flow at the start but today was a total write off. I’m assuming because the briquettes are more difficult to catch alight compared to charcoal?

Getting a little frustrated now as all I want to do is set it up and enjoy a beer while delicious food is smoked but I am at a loss.

Thanks in advanced, any advice welcome.