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Confessions of a overnighter failure

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Grillin_G_Ma
Grillin_G_Ma Posts: 102
in EggHead Forum
I have had my egg for 8 years.  I have tried multiple times to do an overnight cook and actually sleep.    But it doesn't happen.  I have read all of the posts about successful overnight cooks so I know that it is possible.  I have followed the advice that I found. This past weekend, I put 2-10 pound butts on at 10:00 p.m.  I set my Maverick thermometer to alarm if the temp went below 200 or above 275.  The temp jumped all over the place and went off multiple times.  I ended up sleeping from 4:30 to 5:30 a.m. The temperature never really stabilized until 9:00 a.m. I think that I am going to have to go to turbo butts even though the one time I tried them, they seemed more fatty so I think the longer cook produces leaner barbeque.  Of course, during the night I tell myself this is my last overnight cook but I always end up trying one more time because the barbeque is so darn good!
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  • GoooDawgs
    GoooDawgs Posts: 1,060
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    I think it's time to get the Flame Boss...  The $$ is well worth it for you to be able to get some sleep and have peace of mind.   Give it a try!
    Milton, GA 
    XL BGE & FB300
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  • SmokeyPitt
    SmokeyPitt Posts: 10,490
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    You should reach out to @stlcharcoal and tell him your tale of woe and he will be so moved that he will offer a generous discount on a temperature controller. 

    Which came first the chicken or the egg?  I egged the chicken and then I ate his leg. 

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  • YukonRon
    YukonRon Posts: 16,989
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    I have a digiQ. Never has failed me, I have done many overnighters. It is worth it.
    "Knowledge is Good" - Emil Faber

    XL and MM
    Louisville, Kentucky
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  • Spaightlabs
    Spaightlabs Posts: 2,349
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    The secret to a successful overnight cook is alcohol.  You'll never hear the temp alert and in the morning you can deal with it.

    Bottoms up.


    What has your experience been in regard to holding temps in the past for other long cook but not overnight, say for ribs?  Are you able to keep the temp in the zone without farting around with the settings or are you always chasing the temp and making adjustments?
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  • volfan1
    volfan1 Posts: 164
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    Get the Flameboss. It is the key to successful overnight cooks IMHO.
    XL & Mini & knock off medium. Western North Carolina. Formerly Franklin, TN. Formerly in Palm Harbor, FL. 
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  • Ragtop99
    Ragtop99 Posts: 1,570
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    Pit controllers make sleep happen.  B)

    Huge fluctuation in temp makes me wonder if the pit probe wasn't shielded from the direct heat.  The egg holds +/- 25* at the dome pretty well if you start with a clean egg, good charcoal load and lock it in before going to bed. 

    What temp are you aiming at?  It's a lot easier to get 250* locked in than 225*.  
    Cooking on an XL and Medium in Bethesda, MD.
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  • jtcBoynton
    jtcBoynton Posts: 2,814
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    Where is the probe of the Maverick placed?  With two 10 pounders, there really isn't much space left for a grate level probe in a spot that is consistent (assuming a large egg).  The fluctuating temps may be more due to probe placement than to an overall heat fluctuation.  The fire may have been steady and producing a steady supply of heat, just had moving hot spots based on changing air circulation patterns.
    Southeast Florida - LBGE
    In cooking, often we implement steps for which we have no explanations other than ‘that’s what everybody else does’ or ‘that’s what I have been told.’  Dare to think for yourself.
     
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  • Dobie
    Dobie Posts: 3,364
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    Get a controller and get some sleep. 
    Jacksonville FL
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  • Lvnthedrm
    Lvnthedrm Posts: 153
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    Carolina Q said:
    Grillin_G_Ma said:
    The temperature never really stabilized until 9:00 a.m.
    I think this is the key. If it's not stable before you put the meat on, you're gonna be chasing it all night long. Get it where you want it so that it doesn't change for at least 30 minutes. An hour would be better. Once that has happened, put the meat on and walk away, The temp will drop with all that cold meat. Do not adjust. If it was stable, it will come back on it's own.
    This^^^^^^^^. Do not chase and give yourself a larger windows of variance when using the maverick. I used to use the maverick. I'd get the egg stable somewhere between 250-275 with a low alarm set for 160 and a high for 380. I only want to be woken when something really has gotten out of hand...a 75 degree variance just isn't worth being woken for and won't affect the overall cook. Now I don't even bother with the maverick...just get the egg stable, throw the meat on and go to bed. I'll deal with whatever I wake up to.
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  • Focker
    Focker Posts: 8,364
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    Along with the 275 recommendation, another must is starting the fire much sooner, like 6pm or 7pm.  It takes a while for 20lbs of cold pork to stabilize.  I like to get at minimum, 4 hrs of steady fire time, and then turn in.  Often, if I let the egg cruise at target temp a couple of hours before I put the meat on, letting the ceramic warm up, I don't have to touch a thing.

    ATCs are nice, but almost overkill with egg IMO, if you run it hot enough, and give it enough time for the fire to settle in.  
    Brandon
    Quad Cities
    "If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful."

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  • RedSkip
    RedSkip Posts: 1,400
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    Buy the FlameBoss.  Egg purists will say you don't need it, or learn to control your egg without.  Why?  

    You just bought $30-50 worth of meat, who cares how you cook it?  As long as it's healthy and you were able to sleep, that's all that matters.  

    Sanity, sleep, and happiness is all that matters.
    Large BGE - McDonald, PA
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  • Darby_Crenshaw
    Darby_Crenshaw Posts: 2,657
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    Only because it6good to understand why a stable system isnt stable 

    if it is yoyoing up and down, there's something that isn't going to be 'right' whether you use a powered draft unit

    those have had issues as well. Not a band aid
    [social media disclaimer: irony and sarcasm may be used in some or all of user's posts; emoticon usage is intended to indicate moderately jocular social interaction; the comments toward users, their usernames, and the real people (living or dead) that they refer to are not intended to be adversarial in nature; those replying to this user are entering into a tacit agreement that they are real-life or social-media acquaintances and/or have agreed to or tacitly agreed to perpetrate occasional good-natured ribbing between and among themselves and others]

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  • Chubbs
    Chubbs Posts: 6,929
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    I am in the no need for a pit controller camp. In my years of egging I have never had a fire go out. One time I woke up hungover out of my mind dry mouthed and remembered I put a butt on a few hours earlier. It didn't look too good cooking at 450 haha-- forgot to make finally adjustment to bottom vent. Aside from that, if you have a stable egg before meat goes on you will have no issue if you have enough fuel. 
    Columbia, SC --- LBGE 2011 -- MINI BGE 2013
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  • RedSkip
    RedSkip Posts: 1,400
    edited May 2016
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    @Darby_Crenshaw I disagree.  The FB will regulate any issues with up and down temp swings.  It's a PID controller and it limits the intake volume of air.  The unit WILL solve any issues.  

    Unless of of course the computer craps
    out, but that's just bad luck.
    Large BGE - McDonald, PA
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  • Darby_Crenshaw
    Darby_Crenshaw Posts: 2,657
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    there are plenty of threads with controller issues

    all systems need a little practice
    [social media disclaimer: irony and sarcasm may be used in some or all of user's posts; emoticon usage is intended to indicate moderately jocular social interaction; the comments toward users, their usernames, and the real people (living or dead) that they refer to are not intended to be adversarial in nature; those replying to this user are entering into a tacit agreement that they are real-life or social-media acquaintances and/or have agreed to or tacitly agreed to perpetrate occasional good-natured ribbing between and among themselves and others]

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  • dougcrann
    dougcrann Posts: 1,129
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    This is the very reason I have a controller...and have no more trouble sleeping during an overnight cook than I normally do...but considering I average about 2.5 hours a night that ain't saying much...
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  • dougcrann
    dougcrann Posts: 1,129
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    Darby_Crenshaw said:
    there are plenty of threads with controller issues

    all systems need a little practice
    Have never had a bit of trouble with any of my controllers...unless of course the controller was acting up...

    Haters are gonna hate...
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  • Focker
    Focker Posts: 8,364
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    RedSkip said:
    Buy the FlameBoss.  Egg purists will say you don't need it, or learn to control your egg without.  Why?  

    You just bought $30-50 worth of meat, who cares how you cook it?  As long as it's healthy and you were able to sleep, that's all that matters.  

    Sanity, sleep, and happiness is all that matters.
    I've slept fine without one.  ATCs are far from a perfect solution.  My Guru was the biggest POS.  I look forward to drilling it at 50 yards with my Hoyt.
    Brandon
    Quad Cities
    "If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful."

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  • SmokinTiger81
    SmokinTiger81 Posts: 746
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    I like the auber pit controller.  About $150 from auber direct.  Very accurate and no extra bells or whistles.  Keeps temp very dialed in at 225 or 250.  Whatever you want to set it on
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  • RedSkip
    RedSkip Posts: 1,400
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    @Focker Don't use a broadhead, and if you have room back up to 75 yards.  If memory serves me, the guru is a decent size...
    Large BGE - McDonald, PA
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  • Focker
    Focker Posts: 8,364
    edited May 2016
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    RedSkip said:
    @Focker Don't use a broadhead, and if you have room back up to 75 yards.  If memory serves me, the guru is a decent size...
    Agreed, not worth a carbon steel Montec G5.  Field point for sure.  75 is a lob, but doable. Lol
    Brandon
    Quad Cities
    "If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful."

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  • RedSkip
    RedSkip Posts: 1,400
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    You should watch some of Tim Wells videos, crazy what that man can do with a bow.
    Large BGE - McDonald, PA
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  • onedbguru
    onedbguru Posts: 1,647
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    Just make sure your bottom vent is not in a area where there is direct wind blowing towards the vent.  I have never had issues and all I use is the vents and I rarely put in the thermometer until I get up in the morning.  
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  • Grillin_G_Ma
    Grillin_G_Ma Posts: 102
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    Thanks for all of the ideas.  I might just have to try one more time...
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  • jabam
    jabam Posts: 1,829
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    I do not have a controller , just a maverick. I let stabilize for at least an hour. I go low, shoot for 225 to 250. You can always bump up when you wake up. When I do an overnight, I always make sure egg is clean and I put large pieces on the bottom, medium pieces, and smaller pieces on top. Worse thing I have come across is temp to low when I wake up, but i just open vents and go from there. Have never had proteins not done on time. 
    Central Valley CA     One large egg One chocolate lab "Halle" two chiuahuas "Skittles and PeeWee"
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  • Zmokin
    Zmokin Posts: 1,938
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    Well, as many have suggested, a pricey electronic gadget will work and let you get your beauty sleep.  However, I would bet the TTT would work just as well.  I haven't used mine for overnighters, at least not yet, but it has held stable temps for a couple o'hours during the day for me.  I just haven't done any long cooks since getting my TTT (Tip Top Temp), but I like it's simplicity over my DigiQ which has never failed me either, but is more work to set up and requires an extension cord for the flow of electrons necessary to turn it on.
    Large BGE in a Sole' Gourmet Table
    Using the Black Cast Iron grill, Plate Setter,
     and a BBQ Guru temp controller.

    Medium BGE in custom modified off-road nest.
    Black Cast Iron grill, Plate Setter, and a Party-Q temp controller.

    Location: somewhere West of the Mason-Dixon Line
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  • Philly35
    Philly35 Posts: 858
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    Im in the no controller camp too. If you want a controller to monitor your temp, you might as well own a treager. 
    NW IOWA
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  • StillH2OEgger
    StillH2OEgger Posts: 3,748
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    I have done a few overnighters and it has worked out well, but inevitably get up one time to make a minor adjustment. I expect to get a blower of some sort in the not too distant future, but also wanted to make sure I could have a successful cook without it first. 
    Stillwater, MN
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