Grilling in the Rain

Bwill

I am struggling today.  It is pretty rainy here.  I threw on some ribs about 2 hours ago.  The dome is barely getting over 100.  I have seen other post here that the rain should not be a problem.  It certainly is for me.  The past 30 minutes I have used a fan to try and get more air to the charcoal.  I closed the top to about 95-98% closed to reduce water.  The fan seems to be helping because before that the needle on the thermometer did not move.  

Any other suggestions?  At what point should I consider moving into the oven.  I would like to et in the next 3-4 hours.  

Buckwoody Egger

You should open the top for the airflow for sure.  Rain getting in is not really an issue but you could put some type of foil tent. If I am doing an overnight in the rain I use a galvanized pipe chimney cap over my old school cast iron top (called DMFT). You can error on the high side of the temp for a while, lots of people do turbo ribs. Also try work a long skewer / wiggle rod from above and below lump to ensure you have airflow. 

Sometimes people over-do easing up to temp. If you keep it pretty open and blow past the temp and fire rages while away from the egg, you can always shut the top and bottom vents, let it sit a few minutes (Do NOT open egg) and then gradually open vents. The embers will relight and let you control from there. 

Bwill

Thanks for the advice.  The fan helped me get the temperature up.  Unfortunately, they are 209-210 already.  No bend.  I am wondering if they cooked too fast which seems hard to believe.

lousubcap

Forget the temp- (we are talking *F here?) Toothpick test for the rib finish-line.  Get a toothpick (or any fine pointed thing) and insert between the rib bones.  No resistance and they are done.  Beats the bend test any day for me.  FWIW-

theyolksonyou

Anytime I’ve had problems getting temp up it’s been because the bottom was full of water and or wet ash.  Too late for you now, but something to look for

Bwill

theyolksonyou said:

Anytime I’ve had problems getting temp up it’s been because the bottom was full of water and or wet ash.  Too late for you now, but something to look for

I think it was dry (relatively) I added new charcoal.  However, it was coming down pretty good while I was trying to light it so yes there was some moister in there.  

Bwill

lousubcap said:

Forget the temp- (we are talking *F here?) Toothpick test for the rib finish-line.  Get a toothpick (or any fine pointed thing) and insert between the rib bones.  No resistance and they are done.  Beats the bend test any day for me.  FWIW-

Good tip.  I had to cut the ribs in half to fit my egg so they are half a rack so that will take some bend out of them too.