Egg won't hold temperature

willrev · February 2010

Trying to do a pizza tonight, but the egg will not get above 300 degrees. Using Royal Oak Lump. Both vents wide open.

I am guessing my burnt gasket is to blame. Called and ordered the Nomex gasket. I frankly do not understand why they do not install the Nomex at the factory if the other is at risk of failure due to heat from searing steaks or baking pizza at high temp.

I hope this pizza gets done and is not a flop.

Fidel · February 2010

Why would a burnt gasket prevent the egg from getting up to higher temps?

Take the DFMT off. How long since you've cleaned the ash from behind the firebox, actually taken the box out? Sometimes ash gets behind there and plugs up half the air holes in the firebox.

Are you re-using old lump? Did you stir it well?

"Sparky" · February 2010

The gasket has nothing at all to do with getting to hi temps.Take the daisy wheel off the egg,open the bottom vent,very simple

It sounds to me like you didn't fill the firebox with lump though :whistle:

"Sparky" · February 2010

Or the egg is clogged up with ash :whistle: :laugh:

willrev · February 2010

Yep, I have cleaned out the ash and stired the lump and added new lump. Ran a coat hanger through all the air holes in the box.

After this pizza I will take it all apart tomorrow and make sure it is clean as far as air flow.

Fidel · February 2010

Is it possible your lump is damp? How long has it been since you cooked in that egg?

use a small fan or hair dryer and blow some air in the lower vent to get it up to blast furnace temps.

willrev · February 2010

I had some lump that I cooked a chicken over two days ago and topped it off up to the bottom of the top ring. The daisy wheel has been all the way off for at least 30 mins and the bottom vent open just as long. Still scratching my head.

The thermometer has some condensed moisture inside. Not sure if I need to calibrate it.

Fidel · February 2010

If all your coals are glowing red, your temp is over 300. You should be able to tell if the egg is significantly higher or lower than the thermometer indicates. Something isn't adding up.

Jupiter Jim · February 2010

I think Fidel is right about the lump having moistur in it. That happened to me one time and I never got above 350. Go get the hair drier like Fidel said.
Jupiter Jim

Eggsakley · February 2010

Just a thought. I experienced the same thing last night.Cooked my pie when the thermometer said it was 450 as that was as high as it would go. When I pulled the pie at 12 min, it was black as lump and the inside of the egg was as white as when it was new. My conclusion was, probable thermometer error as I have only seen this cleaning of the egg when doing a high temp burn. Will order a tru-tell in a few minutes. All comments welcome, other than linearity of the calibration curve, if different conclusions are drawn.

2Fategghead · February 2010

Like Rod said, get something to force air in the bottom.

When I have those kind of troubles I force air in the bottom and in no time at all you will have high temps.

I lucked out and had this blower fan but you can use a hair dryer or something along those lines.

willrev · February 2010

Got the turbo fan and blew it into the bottom vent. Got it up to 400 but not much over that. It has been snowing here for several days and just melted off today. You may be very right about moisture in the lump.

Caught the parchment paper under the pizza on fire. Oh well. I think it will still be edible.

willrev · February 2010

Tell me about the tru tell and where to order.

Leggo My Eggo · February 2010

Ash clogging the holes has has always been my problem when I couldn't get up to a high temp. I clean mine out when the coals are cold with my shop vac and have no problems getting to high temps afterwards.

willrev · February 2010

Pizza turned out great regardless. cripy bottom and tasty.

Ripnem · February 2010

Your my favorite inbred southerner.

Little Steven

FatMike · February 2010

You might need to get a wiggle rod..do a search on it..It cures my temp problems every time...sounds like an air flow problem to me..vents wide open will always raise temp if the air is getting to the right places..you can also make the wiggle rod easily

Jupiter Jim · February 2010

Get a wiggle rod here.
http://playingwithfireandsmoke.blogspot.com/2006/10/thirdhand-grate-lifting-hanging-tool.html
Jupiter Jim

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Egg won't hold temperature

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