((KAB + Rockwood) + (0.75 x bottom vent)) - Smokeware Cap =

vb4677

So, last night I had some BLSL chicken breasts to do and could not get it up to 350F w/ the Smokeware Cap on and the bottom vent wide open & no screen.  Took it off and it started to climb fast, so I throttled it back by closing the bottom vent some. Back & forth on the lower screen until it finally settled down some...

Feels like I'm doing something wrong... I thought the cap was the key - as in, you manage the temp via the exhaust control. Seems weird to see the cap sitting on the table with the BGE chugging away...  makes me wonder how/if I'll ever be able to control a hotter fire for like pizza.

Granted it was about 20F outside and a bit breezy, but still....
Also, it was the last of a Rockwood bag and the pieces were small - but no smaller than Royal Oak or anything.  Ash was cleaned out and air gaps around the firebox.

Any clues or insights or tips?

stlcharcoal

How much charcoal in the firebox??  If the level was below the fire ring, it's tough to get much more than about 350 out of it.....especially in that cold weather.

Photo Egg

^^^ and there might have been more smaller pieces cause air flow restrictions than you think. Wiggle Rod.
When I run high temps for pizza and such, I always take off the top. 

lousubcap

I must have some super juiced RW as I can get to 400*F direct using the bottom vent (around 1 1/4" open and the DFMT installed with the petals full open and a crescent moon on the larger opening.  This in 30*F weather last week.  For the most recent cook I loaded to just above the fire box as it was chix.  FWIW-

stlcharcoal

lousubcap said:

I must have some super juiced RW as I can get to 400*F direct using the bottom vent (around 1 1/4" open and the DFMT installed with the petals full open and a crescent moon on the larger opening.  This in 30*F weather last week.  For the most recent cook I loaded to just above the fire box as it was chix.  FWIW-

That cold soaked egg sucks up a bunch of heat, so sometimes by the time you get it up to 350-400, you've burned up enough that it can't maintain that temp anymore.

Easier way to tell is look in the draft door.  If you see it bright orange, that means the air is getting through and if it's still topping out below 400-500f, then fuel is the missing component.  If it's dark in there, like you said, wiggle stick it because there isn't enough airflow.

vb4677

Cool!  Yeah I had a full basket of RW and an orange glow...

unoriginalusername

I got 700 dome for this pizza in colder temps the other day with the same lump and same cap. 

Your temp gauge accurate?  Cap was on but at full vent and bottom door was open all the way 

stlcharcoal

vb4677 said:

Cool!  Yeah I had a full basket of RW and an orange glow...

Airflow wasn't the problem then (e.g. chunk size, vent settings, etc.)

Sounds like you didn't have enough.  Was the charcoal in there new or had to already burned it once or twice?  Either way, there weren't enough BTU's left.