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Brrrr.... Cold Ambient Temp, How to get the egg up and keep it up on a cold cold day ? Any tips ?

Hey Everyone, and Happy Thanksgiving !! I'm looking for a lil help. I'm struggling now with getting the temp up to 350 and keeping it there on a Large BGE. Its Blustery here today( 35mph gust ) with the temp not out of the 30's and gonna be in the 20's tonight. This is the coldest Thanksgiving here in Atlanta in over 25 years. Anyone have any advice for getting it up and keeping it up ?

Metro Atlanta Georgia egger with Large, Mini,and Chimenea

Comments

  • DMW
    DMW Posts: 13,832
    I think there's a blue pill for that. :) Sorry...
    They/Them
    Morgantown, PA

    XL BGE - S BGE - KJ Jr - HB Legacy - BS Pizza Oven - 30" Firepit - King Kooker Fryer -  PR72T - WSJ - BS 17" Griddle - XXL BGE  - BS SS36" Griddle - 2 Burner Gasser - Pellet Smoker
  • Greeno55
    Greeno55 Posts: 635
    edited November 2013
    Best part of the Egg is it don't care what the temp is. If you're having a hard time getting temps up, make sure your ashes are cleaned and you have good air flow. Often small pieces of lump will work their way to the fire great and block the holes. Living in Canada, I grill all winter way below freezing and it works like it does in summer.
    LBGE (2012), MiniMax (2014), and too many Eggcessories to list.  - Sudbury, Ontario
  • Thanks, Greeno, That could be a possibility, I started this cook with a good bit of lump left from last weeks cook , I thought I raked it pretty well, not sure if that's an issue or the swirling , blustery wind, but its giving me a bad time. It's rare to be that cold here, rarely is it under 50 degrees ambient when i'm cooking.

    Metro Atlanta Georgia egger with Large, Mini,and Chimenea

  • Greeno55
    Greeno55 Posts: 635
    No worries, tonight it's 16° and 1° with the wind. Getting winter quite early this year and my LBGE is chugging at 400° without so much as a whimper.
    LBGE (2012), MiniMax (2014), and too many Eggcessories to list.  - Sudbury, Ontario
  • henapple
    henapple Posts: 16,025
    Check your air flow... The cold won't affect the egg. 16 degrees in the morning here in Murfreesboro TN. Happy Thanksgiving
    Green egg, dead animal and alcohol. The "Boro".. TN 
  • Mattman3969
    Mattman3969 Posts: 10,457
    * 1 on clean out It is 25 here and 450 is no problem.

    -----------------------------------------

    analyze adapt overcome

    2008 -Large BGE. 2013- Small BGE and 2015 - Mini. Henderson, Ky.
  • CANMAN1976
    CANMAN1976 Posts: 1,593
    Zero Celsius here no problem at all a air flow issue for sure.
    Hows ya gettin' on, me ol ****



    Kippens.Newfoundland and Labrador. (Canada).
  • pkaboo1
    pkaboo1 Posts: 115

    Anytime I do low  and slow, I take all the old lump out.

    I take the egg apart.

    Clean it out with a brush.

    New lump, big ones on the bottom, then medium, maybe some

    of the bigger old stuff on top.

    No problem. Check the air flow, maybe something is stopping the airflow

    Snellville,Ga.
  • Two words:  Wiggle Stick

    You could probably get away with a coat hanger in a pinch.
    Simi Valley, California
    LBGE, PBC, Annova, SMOBot
  • Mattman3969
    Mattman3969 Posts: 10,457
    I will see you 2 words and raise you 1 HighQue This grate will make all the difference in the world. But that doesn't help the OP right now so back to wiggle stick.

    -----------------------------------------

    analyze adapt overcome

    2008 -Large BGE. 2013- Small BGE and 2015 - Mini. Henderson, Ky.
  • LOL  I need to check out the HighQue. Comes to temp quicker as well?
    Simi Valley, California
    LBGE, PBC, Annova, SMOBot
  • henapple
    henapple Posts: 16,025

    Zero Celsius here no problem at all a air flow issue for sure.

    Celsius? This is 'merika.. We go by farenhit
    Green egg, dead animal and alcohol. The "Boro".. TN 
  • Mattman3969
    Mattman3969 Posts: 10,457
    Temp quicker yes

    -----------------------------------------

    analyze adapt overcome

    2008 -Large BGE. 2013- Small BGE and 2015 - Mini. Henderson, Ky.
  • caliking
    caliking Posts: 18,727
    DMW said:

    I think there's a blue pill for that. :) Sorry...

    Maybe little blue lump charcoal in this case...

    #1 LBGE December 2012 • #2 SBGE February  2013 • #3 Mini May 2013
    A happy BGE family in Houston, TX.
  • DMW
    DMW Posts: 13,832
    This is the reason for my prior post, great friends, great drinks.
    They/Them
    Morgantown, PA

    XL BGE - S BGE - KJ Jr - HB Legacy - BS Pizza Oven - 30" Firepit - King Kooker Fryer -  PR72T - WSJ - BS 17" Griddle - XXL BGE  - BS SS36" Griddle - 2 Burner Gasser - Pellet Smoker
  • Thanks for the input, i'm guessing its a airflow/ damp leftover lump issue. and as for the Blue pill..... lets get the Egg temp "up" and I'll be soooo happy I wont need any pill !....lol. Thanks all !

    Metro Atlanta Georgia egger with Large, Mini,and Chimenea

  • Tjcoley
    Tjcoley Posts: 3,551
    Agree with the airflow - I'm actually struggling with the opposite problem.  Cleaned out the Egg after 20 pounds of pulled pork earlier today, reloaded it and now doing a 10 pound brisket.  My target temp is 250, but with the 30 mph winds, I can't keep the temp down.  Seems to have stabilized again at 270, with the DW open just a crack, and bottom vent about 1/8 inch.  My fear is the wind will stop overnight.  
    __________________________________________
    It's not a science, it's an art. And it's flawed.
    - Camp Hill, PA
  • I can notice changes when outside temps change, but it isn't much at all. The egg is a champ. But you will need to clean it out and have a good start.



    _______________________________________________

    XLBGE 
  • bccomstock
    bccomstock Posts: 338
    edited November 2013
    I'm starting an overnight brisket now.. Fingers crossed I don't have any issues getting to 250° or so with it 29° in the deep South. No wind to speak of now.
    LBGE
    MS Gulf Coast - Proud member of the Who Dat Nation!
    My Not Frequently Updated Basically Dead Blog: http://datcue.wordpress.com
  • henapple
    henapple Posts: 16,025
    Deep south?
    Green egg, dead animal and alcohol. The "Boro".. TN 
  • bud812
    bud812 Posts: 1,869
    Dat's like the faw north, but da utter way.

    Not to get technical, but according to chemistry alcohol is a solution...

    Large & Small BGE

    Stockton Ca.