can't get EGG past 450 degrees

THK · May 2011

What am I doing wrong? I can't get my large BGE to go above 450 degrees.
I've tried cleaning out the ash and increasing the fuel.
anyone have any helpful ideas?

Austin Egger · May 2011

Have you taken out the insides completely (fire ring, fire box, and grate) to get rid of all of the ash?

surveyor · May 2011

Make sure all of the holes in the fire box are clean sometimes they get clogged, also the hole in the grate can be plugged with ash

THK · May 2011

I have taken it apart and thoroughly cleaned it. No holes are plugged. I am using an electric starter and leaving the grill open for 15-20 min, until I see white charcoal. Then what do I do. This is where I only get 450.

Pjoe · May 2011

I had that problem a few days ago and i figured out it was all of the "dust" that was in the bottom of the bag ofnlump that I dumped in blocking the air flow. A little work with a wiggle rod and I got it blazing. No air flow = no heat.

Bill

MeatMatt · May 2011

What kind of lump are you using? With the daisy cap off, and bottom vent wide open you should be hitting 700 or more.

THK · May 2011

Yeah, I don't even use the last little bit in the bag because of all the "dust". So, that didn't help, either.

Rezen73 · May 2011

Couple of tips:

Make sure you don't just dump in s bag of lump. When you put the lump in, "build" it with intention... e.g. Make sure the bigger pieces are at the bottom with plenty of air flow. Only use the small pieces around the edges (if at all).

Be careful not to over fill it either.

also, in my experience, the egg gets hottest with the lid closed but the cap/vent taken off.

Another thing, is your lump moist? Is it humid where you live? Do you store your lump outside? Etc.

Finally what kind of lump are you using? Some lump doesn't burn as well as other lump.

Cheers

FSM-Meatball · May 2011

You say "open"? You should have the lid closed with both vents open. You wont get the high temps with the lid open.

Little Chef · May 2011

THK: The prior responses are helpful. You mentioned you had the egg completely apart to clean out the ash. When you put it back together, are you sure you got the opening in the firebox aligned with the bottom vent door? And you remembered to put the grate back in the bottom of the firebox before filling? :huh:

SmokinParrotHead · May 2011

Little Chef nailed it I'm betting. Make sure that you are lining up the bottom opening in the firebox with the bottom vent opening in the egg(the lower vent). That's what is usually the problem when this happens.

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can't get EGG past 450 degrees

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