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Controling temp on a Medium verse an XL

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fruitguy
fruitguy Posts: 303
in EggHead Forum
For those who have both a couple of questions.

I have had an XL for 2+ years and my wife got me a medium for Christmas.  Cooked chicken on it last night and got it up to about 400 and shut the screen down to about an inch.  This is what I would do on my XL and it would stabilize in around 425.  Came out about 20 minutes later and she was roaring away at 650+. 

Just curious if you need the daisy wheel on this smaller cooker to hold lower temps or being smaller I need to start shutting it down around 350 or so to keep it around 425.

I did the boil test on the temp gauge and it is rock solid on 100c.  I know they are all different, just looking for some words of wisdom from those who have both.

Also what are your settings for low and slow temps.

Thanks,
James

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  • DoubleEgger
    DoubleEgger Posts: 17,174
    edited January 2017
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    I leave the daisy wheel pedals open and with the bottom open about an inch or so, my egg hangs out between 450-500F. I've found that the pedals are the best way to regulate the temp on the medium. 

    I cooked a butt on the medium the other day and I had the bottom open about the thickness of a credit card and the pedals barely cracked and I ran 250-270F 
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  • DoubleEgger
    DoubleEgger Posts: 17,174
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    The medium is a little firecracker. She'll get away from you quickly if you don't pay attention. 
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  • fruitguy
    fruitguy Posts: 303
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    thanks.
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  • DoubleEgger
    DoubleEgger Posts: 17,174
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    The XL is like driving a Cadillac and the medium is like a Ferrari. You'll love the combo once you get the hang of it. 
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  • fruitguy
    fruitguy Posts: 303
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    Good analogy

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  • berndcrisp
    berndcrisp Posts: 1,166
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    It's about air flow and lump quantity. More lump needs more air for the same temp in a smaller egg. In my medium, no daisy wheel, screen open about 1/4" for 370*. It took me a few tries to 'dial in' the mini (my workhorse) after learning on the medium.

    Hood Stars, Wrist Crowns and Obsession Dobs!


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  • tksmoke
    tksmoke Posts: 776
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    There are lots of variables at work here.  I've replaced the Daisy Wheel with a Smokeware cap, and the stock fire grate with a High Que.  I need to have the bottom vent shut more on the medium than I would on the XL (which also has the High Que and Smokeware.  How the lump is lit can also affect the temp.  It is a matter of messing with it some to get it dialed in.  I find the Medium much easier to lower the temp in, as you would expect with not as much thermal mass. 
    Santa Paula, CA
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