Temperature - Cannot get Egg to searing temp

Snap · May 2012

Hello,

Having a terrible time getting BGE to searing temp. I left the Egg alone for an hour Sunday and max temp was 350. I have both top vent and bottom vent in the full open position. I am filling Egg to top line of fire box with lump. Anyone else see something like this?

Snap

stike · May 2012

lose the daisy. it tops out around 400 for a long while with the daisy full open

The Cen-Tex Smoker · May 2012

When is the last time you cleaned it out? Also, you can't use the small bits and shake to build a hot fire. Use larger pieces and make sure they aren't packed together and see if that helps.

Don't dump from the bag for a while- place it in by hand and hand pick the biggest pieces.

Billy Grill Eggster · May 2012

Remove DW like stike sez also make double sure that the firebox slot is lined up with lower vent.

Mighty_Quinn · May 2012

Remove DW like stike sez also make double sure that the firebox slot is lined up with lower vent.

Vent alignment was my first thought.

Eggbertsdad · May 2012

I must've had my vent/ firebox out of alignment for the longest time. The last time I took it all apart I tried to line it up better and I can get up to temp a lot faster. Not sure what I did differently though.

Snap · May 2012

Thanks all. My Egg was assembled at the retailer I purchased it from. Probably right, vent and Firebox not aligned.

Snap

wolfsburg18 · May 2012

I clean mine out every few cooks and use a shop vac to ensure the firebox is wide clean and open. I might also recommend looking into the high hug 9" fire grate as it helps to improve airflow as well but as others noted you need to use larger chunks, the small stuff just won't cut it and make sure to use a quality hardwood charcoal.

lousubcap · May 2012

As mentioned, fuel, air flow and a heat source to get the lump going. Once the lump is burning then the air flow (as long as you have adequate fuel supply) controls your temperature. And if you have decent air flow you can get to lava like lump temperatures with small pieces. It's just that the small pieces will convert to ash quite quickly resulting in more chances for air flow blockage.

stike · May 2012

if your daisy is still on the egg (not merely full open), you will cap out around 350 to 400 for a good long while.

one guy one the forum has his firebox turned 180 (vent hole facing back) and reports no issues with getting to temp. he does it to minimize the hot spot at the back

lousubcap · May 2012

if your daisy is still on the egg (not merely full open), you will cap out around 350 to 400 for a good long while.

one guy one the forum has his firebox turned 180 (vent hole facing back) and reports no issues with getting to temp. he does it to minimize the hot spot at the back

That 180 alignment must make ash cleaning a pain-I partially compensate for the hot spot by always placing a leg of the platesetter back there-no proof it it helps or not but figure it can't hurt.

Snap · May 2012

Eggcellent tips one and all. Thank you.

Snap

ChokeOnSmoke · May 2012

I assume you have a large or smaller because almost nothing will stop an XL from reaching nuclear temps, besides a clogged charcoal grate. 99% of the time, the clogged grate is the problem if you're at a temp stall or falling.

Snap · May 2012

I have a Large. And I love it. By the way, the Ribeye's were delicious cooked for 30 min on 300. lol

Gadfly · May 2012

I assume you have a large or smaller because almost nothing will stop an XL from reaching nuclear temps, besides a clogged charcoal grate. 99% of the time, the clogged grate is the problem if you're at a temp stall or falling.

+1 for clogged grate being the culprit here.

Buy (or build your own by buying a metal rod from Home Depot and bending it yourself) 'wiggle tool' and open the holes before and 20-30 minutes after you start the fire.

Howdy, Stranger!

Forums

Temperature - Cannot get Egg to searing temp

Comments