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Temp control...I'm sure it's been asked a million times!

Hi folks. I'm new here and just got my BGE a few days ago. 

I was wondering about the easiest way to get the temp to "stay" once it hits. I know that I have to adjust both the top and bottom vents, but should one be focused on more than the other? If I'm running slightly over the temp I want, should I fiddle with the top vent? The bottom? Both?

Sorry for being ignorant on this, but I am pretty new to the BGE. I didn't even know they existed until a couple weeks ago. I will have several more questions (and I'm not afraid to ask!) as the weeks turn in to months, so get used to seeing my name!

One more thing....I tried to upload a photo but it jammed up at "uploading photo". Any advice?

Comments

  • Tjcoley
    Tjcoley Posts: 3,551
    edited June 2013
    A lot of folks go with just the bottom vent and don't use the top daisy wheel. I use the bottom vent to get me close to where I want and use the DW to fine tune. Depends on what temp you are aiming for. For a low and slo I use both, barely open. To sear a steak, no top vent and bottom open to achieve temp I want. Play around with both and see what works. I've noticed my Egg likes to settle in at different temps. Don't worry about a 25 to 50 degree difference from what you are targeting. Makes no difference.
    __________________________________________
    It's not a science, it's an art. And it's flawed.
    - Camp Hill, PA
  • shtgunal3
    shtgunal3 Posts: 5,629
    I only use the daisy wheel for 300 or less cooks.

    ___________________________________

     

     LBGE,SBGE, and a Mini makes three......Sweet home Alabama........ Stay thirsty my friends .

  • TexanOfTheNorth
    TexanOfTheNorth Posts: 3,951
    @SickEyeDiaz... Welcome and don't be afraid to ask anything you need to know. It's not a sign of ignorance. I agree with @Tjcoley... you've just got to play around with temp control and eventually it will all fall into place. One thing you'll want to try to get a handle on pretty quickly though is to catch your target temp on the way up. The farther you overshoot what you're aiming for the longer it will take to recover.

    Good luck and you really need to get the photo thing figured out.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Well, "spa-Peggy" is kind of like spaghetti. I'm not sure what Peggy does different, if anything. But it's the one dish she's kind of made her own.
    ____________________
    Aurora, Ontario, Canada
  • Jebpot
    Jebpot Posts: 374
    Had my egg a couple of months found it not much a learning curve. Enjoy the egg ride. I just played with temp for a few days.

    XL and Small

    Chattanooga, TN

  • SickEyeDiaz
    SickEyeDiaz Posts: 162
    image
    I see. I was trying to upload on the 'attach a file' part.
    This is my first real creation. Tasted awesome!

    I'm not a huge fan of the daisy wheel. Sometimes it sticks when I try to open it, then when I have it all set perfectly it falls out of position when I open the grill lid!

    Thanks for the help!
  • Eggcelsior
    Eggcelsior Posts: 14,414
    Align the bolt on the daisy wheel toward the handle. This will help keep it from "self-adjusting".
  • BrotherEgg
    BrotherEgg Posts: 95
    Here is the visual guideline that SmokeyPitt passed on to me. Obviously a lot depends on the quality and amount of the lump you using but it was a great place to start for me.

    http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/746823/vent-settings-a-visual-guide

    _______________________________________________________________________________
    Large BGE, PSWoo3, 13"CI grid, Grid Extender, Weber Genesis B Gasser/BGE Storage Cabinet
  • FanOfFanboys
    FanOfFanboys Posts: 2,615
    @sickeyediaz what's up dude? Glad you finally got approved. Like I said on the OG you will love it here. Good people. A ton of good threads out there and everyone is helpful with new threads. Biggest rule? Post lots of pictures haha
    Boom
  • ReldtiCDN
    ReldtiCDN Posts: 142
    Very informative for those of us newly hatched. Could someone please update the pics with a eggware cap installed. Thanks
    Brampton, Ontario



  • TexanOfTheNorth
    TexanOfTheNorth Posts: 3,951
    That's a great explanation @Charlie_tuna
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Well, "spa-Peggy" is kind of like spaghetti. I'm not sure what Peggy does different, if anything. But it's the one dish she's kind of made her own.
    ____________________
    Aurora, Ontario, Canada
  • gabriegger
    gabriegger Posts: 682

    Welcome.  I've learned tons from the good folk on this forum and the journey continues.  Whether you use the daisy wheel or not put it inside the egg when you are shutting it down.  Should help you out with your sticky situation. 

    the city above Toronto - Noodleville wtih 2 Large 1 Mini

  • grege345
    grege345 Posts: 3,515
    LBGE& SBGE———————————————•———————– Pennsylvania / poconos

  • gdenby
    gdenby Posts: 6,239
    Don't fret about exact temperature control. I wasted 6 months "chasing the temp," because if a recipe said dome at 250F, I would be fussing w. the vents every 15 minutes trying to stay right at the 250F mark.

    And, I was always opening the dome to mop the food, not realizing the Egg's moisture retention made that almost unnecessary.

    At this point, I've pretty much memorized the vent positions that get me close to 250 - 350 - 450. If I get within 25 +/-, the results will be the same, just the time will be a little slower or longer. If the temp creeps up or down say 5 degrees over an hour, its not a problem. Just tap the vents a bit, and check back after 1/2 hour.
  • grege345
    grege345 Posts: 3,515
    There is another link around here with daisy wheel setup. After I saw that for the first time I said yep makes sense. Gravity
    LBGE& SBGE———————————————•———————– Pennsylvania / poconos

  • Mama Roneck
    Mama Roneck Posts: 386
    Welcome! The best advice I've received on this forum regarding temp control is that you want to think about "creeping up" on it rather than chasing it all over the place.
    Mamaroneck
  • hondabbq
    hondabbq Posts: 1,980
    I was reading a therad that the user said he never uses the daisy wheel, its just wide open. I couldnt get it down below 300F for pork butts or ribs. I think many variables make the difference about the airflow. climate, humidity, open air egg or in a sheltered patio. Not one specific set up works for all..
  • lousubcap
    lousubcap Posts: 32,170

    Below is a great reference for all things ceramic-the FAQ's have pics for how to set up the DFMT so it doesn't move along with lots of other useful info.  Welcome aboard.

    http://www.nakedwhiz.com/ceramic.htm 

    Louisville; Rolling smoke in the neighbourhood. # 38 for the win.  Life is too short for light/lite beer!  Seems I'm livin in a transitional period.
  • SickEyeDiaz
    SickEyeDiaz Posts: 162
    You guys are awesome, thanks a lot! :-bd
  • danv23
    danv23 Posts: 953
    Hate the daisy wheel? Get this http://eggware.net/Vented_Chimney_Caps/

    Got one for my XL and one for my Large.  Love it.

    The DudeThis is a very complicated case, Maude. You know, a lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-you's. And, uh, lotta strands to keep in my head, man. Lotta strands in old Duder's head. Luckily I'm adhering to a pretty strict, uh, drug regimen to keep my mind, you know, limber.

    Walter SobchakNihilists! *uck me. I mean, say what you want about the tenets of National Socialism, Dude, at least it's an ethos. 

    Cumming, GA

    Eggs - XL, L, Small

    Gasser - Weber Summit 6 Burner

  • SickEyeDiaz
    SickEyeDiaz Posts: 162
    "I'm not a huge fan of the daisy wheel. Sometimes it sticks when I try to open it, then when I have it all set perfectly it falls out of position when I open the grill lid!"

    This actually leads me into my only other gripe with the BGE. The bottom vent is cheaply constructed. Sorry, but it's true. I don't care if it's "patented", it's ****. I have gotten the upper part stuck behind the lower part twice now. Also, if I open the vent fast, the screen door opens with it when it should stay closed. The whole thing is like a thorn on a rose. It's like the BGE is proudly made in 'Murica' and the daisy wheel and bottom vent are made in the depths of a cambodian sweat shop.

    It's no deal breaker, but I think that BGE should address these issues considering how much the unit costs.
  • danv23 said:

    Hate the daisy wheel? Get this http://eggware.net/Vented_Chimney_Caps/


    Got one for my XL and one for my Large.  Love it.
    This is awesome, they even ship to Canada - adding to my long list og things to get for Egg.
  • Eggcelsior
    Eggcelsior Posts: 14,414

    "I'm not a huge fan of the daisy wheel. Sometimes it sticks when I try to open it, then when I have it all set perfectly it falls out of position when I open the grill lid!"


    This actually leads me into my only other gripe with the BGE. The bottom vent is cheaply constructed. Sorry, but it's true. I don't care if it's "patented", it's ****. I have gotten the upper part stuck behind the lower part twice now. Also, if I open the vent fast, the screen door opens with it when it should stay closed. The whole thing is like a thorn on a rose. It's like the BGE is proudly made in 'Murica' and the daisy wheel and bottom vent are made in the depths of a cambodian sweat shop.

    It's no deal breaker, but I think that BGE should address these issues considering how much the unit costs.
    Funny story. Everything people complain about on the egg is "Hecho en Estados Unidos" while the parts people like are "Made in Mexico".
  • SickEyeDiaz
    SickEyeDiaz Posts: 162
    ^^^ that is funny.

    But anyway, regardless of where the individual parts are made, I stand by my above statement.
  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,102
    Mechanically, it's extremely simple - a couple of pieces of stainless sheet metal in a channel. You can adjust by bending and/or sanding the damper and screen, and using a little lubrication on the rails.  15 minutes of work and they'll slide freely for years.  I generally use my bottom vent for gross adjustments and fine tune the top, where I align the daisy wheel swivel bolt 180 degrees from the arc of the swing axis.  Some people just use one or the other. You can also tighten that screw on the daisy wheel or shim to make it move less freely.

    It's really very easy to use, but there's a learning curve.  If you don't want to take the time to learn how to control it at the lower temperatures, you can buy a stoker like a DigiQ or put it on craigslist and buy something electric with a thermostat.   
    ______________________________________________
    I love lamp..