Welcome to the EGGhead Forum - a great place to visit and packed with tips and EGGspert advice! You can also join the conversation and get more information and amazing kamado recipes by following Big Green Egg to Experience our World of Flavor™ at:
Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Pinterest  |  Youtube  |  Vimeo
Share your photos by tagging us and using the hashtag #BigGreenEgg.

Want to see how the EGG is made? Click to Watch

Guru gone wrong?

janiecarp9
janiecarp9 Posts: 2
in EggHead Forum
Finally got myself a Guru PartyQ and have used it several times now.  Seems to work great for cooks at higher temps.  Today I loaded my squeaky clean large with a full load of lump for a low and slow butt cook.  Set the temp on the guru for 275.  Was reading a little high (309) when I put the butt on, but I went for it.  Took a much deserved nap for a couple hours, figuring the Guru would mind my fire.  When I next checked, the Guru temp was up to 395 and the dome thermo read about 425!  Can't figure out what I am doing wrong.  I did have the daisy wheel wide open, but that shouldn't matter, right?  It's decently windy here today, but thinking the wind shouldn't blast the temp upwards with the bottom vent blocked by the Guru.  Any advice before I give up on my Guru?
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • onedbguru
    onedbguru Posts: 1,648
    I don't use a guru or any other gadget, but, I have found that the setting of the daisy wheel (or smokeware cap) vent is just as important as the lower vent and I always make sure there is no influence by windy conditions by making sure I point it away from the wind.  If it is windy, it is like when you blow across the top of a bottle, some air goes in causing a "whistle".  And air being introduced via top or bottom will fuel the fire...  YMMV.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dobie
    Dobie Posts: 3,458
    Shut the daisy wheel down to only a credit card thickness opening at most. The controller can only add air to bring the temp up it cannot restrict tne airflow that naturally lets it get hotter. Make sense?
    Jacksonville FL
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • grillman65
    grillman65 Posts: 81
    I don't have a Guru, but I thought I read that the daisy wheel should be almost closed, or half way.  
    LBGE, Tobaccoville,NC
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Grillin_beers
    Grillin_beers Posts: 1,345
    edited June 2015
    That's why you don't rely on gadgets.  I've never had any problems maintaining temps when I use the daisy wheel and bottom vent.  Edit: I just re-read that and it sounded snarky.  I can assure you that I didn't mean anything by my comment.  
    1 large BGE, Spartanburg SC

    My dog thinks I'm a grilling god. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bakoque
    bakoque Posts: 50
    How open was the damper on the fan?  If the wind is blowing I have closed mine down so it is only 1/4 of the way open to reduce airflow when the fan isn't running.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dobie
    Dobie Posts: 3,458
    edited June 2015
    Who let the dogs out? Last three responses here with dog avatars  =)
    Jacksonville FL
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
    The BBQ Guru folks told me the top vent opening didn't make much difference. Still, I've always kept mine barely open (as for 250° with no Guru) and it's been fine. Mickey doesn't use a Guru and leaves the top wide open... if the air can't get in at the bottom, it doesn't matter how open the top is.

    I suspect you have the fan slider wide open. Try closing it about 2/3 or even 3/4 of the way. That will restrict upcoming air.

    I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories