You can hear it sizzling in the can. Pull it when ya almost cant hear it any more. You only use 10lbs of charcoal and when the charcoal is almost gone its ready.. The thing is to use alot of foil and make a depression in the dirt, like a bowl to catch all the drippings. I no longer use a stick I use one of those beer can holders with a beer in it.. I always put a big rock on the can to hold it down and make a good seal.. Remove all coles from around the can before you pull it off.. Now all ya need is a loaf of bread and some mayo..