My first Turkey - Oh Man

Egghead Willie

So, last Saturday I fire up the BGE and get temp up to 350. I put egg setter in and temp just barely got up to 350. Turkey went in and an hour later with vents wide open and top vent off the temp was 280. Hmmm. So there I am taking out the Bird, and the place setter and adding more lump. An hour later same thing. Now here I am laying on the deck with a coat hanger trying to clear the holes in the grate to vent properly. That was fun. Did that not one but twice. Then the temp took off/

Long story the Bird was done on time and was Fantastic. So the question is do I need to check vents for all cooks. I have been using the BGE for 2 months 4 nights a week and have only cleaned out the ash once. And that was last week so I never thought I would have to check it again.

mad max beyond eggdome

chances are your dome temp thermometer was sticking into the bird....you have to be careful with that....pull the dome temp theremometer about 1 - 2 inches out of the dome top....it will still give you a good read ...i'll bet if you had put your hand over the top of the dome, you would have felt a lot of heat!!. .a lot of people have toasted a turkey by doing exactly what you did....you are lucky!!!

PhilsGrill

Cooking 4 nights a week, You should clean out the egg once a week. I stir the coals and make sure all hole are unplugged and pour in new lump and light.

Austin Egger

I do the same as Philsgrill. I take my ash remover tool and stir all of the old lump real good until almost all of the ash has dropped through the holes. Make sure that the holes are unclogged and then add a little more lump and it is ready to go. You never have to worry about hitting temps unless your thermometer is in the bird :laugh:

Bulldog Mom

I would agree you always need to use the ash tools to clear out the air holes and then you should have no problem keeping a hotter temp.