New Egger - Won't heat up

Vikings333 · January 31

Hey y'all I am a new owner of a medium egg that I purchased used and I am having some trouble getting it to heat up. I know this has been asked before but let me know what you think as I cannot get it to heat up over 375-400 even after an hour!

I have no problem lighting, but even with both vents open I cannot get it to heat up. I cleaned out all ash and made sure holes were open for airflow and opening was lined up with bottom vent as other posts mentioned. So I am thinking it could be either -

Bottom of the bag lump charcoal is plugging the airflow? They are 2" or 3" chunks still so that would be surprising. It could be older too but as I said it lights just fine.

Or, thermometer is broken or not calibrated properly. The previous owner did replace it and I don't think this is it because my meat isn't cooking too fast.

alaskanassasin · January 31

Welcome to the forum! How much charcoal are you dumping in there? I usually fill to the top of the fire ring, especially in cold weather. Summer can be a bit more forgiving.

Vikings333 · January 31

Yes top of the fire ring for sure!

lousubcap · January 31

Believe your indications until you don't. In other words conduct a one point boiling water test of your thermo. If that's good then based on the above, something doesn't fit. Light in three places and get a good fire going with the dome and the vent open. Shut the dome and leave the top uncovered and the bottom vent wide open. It should easily climb above 600*F in a matter of a few minutes. FWIW-

Vikings333 · January 31

Can you elaborate on that test? It’s weird! I had a chicken on for almost an hour and it wasn’t at temp so it definitely didn’t climb to 600…

lkapigian · January 31

Vikings333 said:

Can you elaborate on that test? It’s weird! I had a chicken on for almost an hour and it wasn’t at temp so it definitely didn’t climb to 600…

put your thermometer stem into boiling water, should read 212 @ sea level

Vikings333 · January 31

Thanks! Im at 6200'

lkapigian · January 31

Vikings333 said:

Thanks! Im at 6200'

you will boil water @ +-200 F

alaskanassasin · January 31

Fire ring or fire bowl? you cant have too much charcoal in there.

Vikings333 · January 31

200

Vikings333 · January 31

alaskanassasin said:

Fire ring or fire bowl? you cant have too much charcoal in there.

Ohhh there may be the problem. I think I was filling to the top of the bowl rather than the ring…should be to where my hand is?!

WeberWho · January 31

There's a nut on the back if you wanted to adjust but 10-12 degrees is nothing.

WeberWho · January 31

Make sure your fire bowl opening is lined up with the lower vent so you can get adequate air flow.

alaskanassasin · January 31

Yes where your hand is. fill that sucker up and you will be fine.

fishlessman · January 31

it looks like a newer egg. older ones sometimes had a small firebox that was too smaall leaving a larger gap around them, some foil wrapped like a rope squeezed around that gap fixed it, i dont think thats your problem. ash builds up in the fire /lump grate if its upsidedown, beveled hole side goes down. test the gage, get something to shake the grate thru the lower vent to loosen ash buildup, and or, build the fire with bigger lump underneath the pile. only other thing i can think of is that the ceramic picked up some moisture and needs a long burn to dry it out, can be wet ceramic, wet lump, water in a drip pan etc, it wont go high temp with moisture/water in there

Vikings333 · January 31

alaskanassasin said:

Yes where your hand is. fill that sucker up and you will be fine.

Ergg I thought I knew what I was doing! ok that makes sense.. now to find some meat to try tonight!

DoubleEgger · January 31

I own a medium and it’s a great cooker but it’s different than the other eggs. A kick ash basket helps improve airflow. The medium ash grate thing is pretty small and it restricts airflow. The little dog bowl they have to catch the ashes is pretty spiffy too.

alaskanassasin · January 31

Vikings333 said:

alaskanassasin said:

Yes where your hand is. fill that sucker up and you will be fine.

Ergg I thought I knew what I was doing! ok that makes sense.. now to find some meat to try tonight!

I usually top mine off to the top of the ring before every cook and clean out every two or three. Last week I was lazy and it was cold as heck, so I just lit what was in there... and it never got above 300. Again, you might be okay in the summer for a quick cook, but heating all those ceramics up when its 10 degrees out takes some fuel.

Foghorn · January 31

Welcome aboard!

DoubleEgger · January 31

Vikings333 said:

alaskanassasin said:

Fire ring or fire bowl? you cant have too much charcoal in there.

Ohhh there may be the problem. I think I was filling to the top of the bowl rather than the ring…should be to where my hand is?!

No. More charcoal is just going to restrict airflow. You should be able to get a ripping fire by filling it up the bowl only.

I cook on a medium 4-5x week and use it mainly for hot and fast cooks.

You’ve got a little Ferrari for a cooker. We’ll get it rolling for you.

Ozzie_Isaac · January 31

Want to confirm the fire bowl opening is lined up with the lower vent opening. On my medium having that slightly off impacts temps a lot. However, when she is all lined up she gets up to temp faster than a sailor in Thailand.

TechsasJim · January 31

I skipped some reading but keep your vents wide open and your dome open until the fire breathing dragon is going crazy. At that point close your dome and adjust vents.

If that doesn't help make sure your bowl is aligned.

GrateEggspectations · January 31

DoubleEgger said:

I own a medium and it’s a great cooker but it’s different than the other eggs. A kick ash basket helps improve airflow. The medium ash grate thing is pretty small and it restricts airflow. The little dog bowl they have to catch the ashes is pretty spiffy too.

I miss my Med, now replaced by a Large and two MMs. Best performer.

MaskedMarvel · January 31

Interesting. I have three larges and one medium. Larges all perform similarly to each other.

My medium doesn’t get to temp easily at all.

I’m still running the original internals. I have a KAB I haven’t installed I expect will get the Medium moving.

Corv · February 1

I had a Medium for years till it crashed. The only recommendation I have is to use larger charcoal. Looks to me like you're simply choking off the airflow with all that small scrap. I toss out anything smaller than maybe 1 1/4" or so.

Vikings333 · November 26

Still having problems! Tried some ribeyes last night and they were great but I had no control. Would not heat above 300/350 and only got a good sear when I have a grease flare up going! I am shocked with this amount of embers that it will not heat up still...

DoubleEgger · November 26

Are you sure that your thermometer is calibrated against boiling water? That fire looks hotter than 350F.

What were your vent settings?

Ozzie_Isaac · November 26

DoubleEgger said:

Are you sure that your thermometer is calibrated against boiling water? That fire looks hotter than 350F.

What were your vent settings?

^^^^^ 100%, if you have no plate setter in that should 600+ on your thermometer.

Ragingirishman2 · November 27

Welcome to the group and stick with it. This is the BEST group to help you get dialed in.

zaphod · November 27

with a group this large and wide spread, perhaps someone is close enough to wander over and have a visit? Is there a dealer involved who could help?

something just isn't adding up it must be something like a backwards firebowl.

kl8ton · November 27

Ozzie_Isaac said:

Want to confirm the fire bowl opening is lined up with the lower vent opening.

I skimmed this thread but have you checked this?? Very important.

New Egger - Won't heat up

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