Dome Temp vs Grill height

Unknown

Just brought 1st B.G.E. home yesterday - waiting for back ordered dual function metal top, grid extender, & plate setter. In the meantime, have been wondering about recommended dome temps vs. height of grill above coals; i.e., the dome thermometer is located near the top of the dome, as opposed to the grill, which is sitting on the fire ring, & much closer to the coals. Assume I go with dome temps posted in recipes, but can't help but wonder about the difference in temp between grill & dome probe. Can postulate my own theories, but would appreciate any other thoughts/advice on the matter...

Nature Boy

E.B.,
Welcome to the family!! You come out of the starting gate asking great questions! I am still learning, as I just got my egg last summer, and I would be nowhere without these great people we have on this forum.[p]The difference between the dome temp and the cooking level temp really comes into play when cooking indirect. The cooking level temp, especially when there is liquid in the drip pan, is quite a bit lower than the dome temp. A polder probe (or thermocouple) at the cooking level will help if you really want the lowdown (Cat puts hers thru a potato to hold it in place). [p]Just received an email from someone who did a lot of tests and experiments. His results show that, when cooking indirect, the difference between cooking level and dome temps are greatest during the beginning of the cook, since the ceramic is not totally heated up yet. Once the egg is heated thru, the difference is less...but still substantial.[p]Most all of the recipes on this forum account for this difference, as they are from actual experiences. As an example, JJs direct ribs at 220 cook in about the same time as indirect over a liquid filled drip pan at 300. [p]Another example is cooking chicken thighs/drumsticks over a liquid filled drip pan at 400-450. A unique environment is created with the 212 degree water underneath, and the 400 plus temp above. I have found this creates beautiful browning on top, and steady cooking underneath.[p]Play around with different setups, and keep track of your observations. Lots of different ways to cook![p]Have fun. What you cooking first??
NB

Zip

E.B.,[p]I believe it is about 20-30° for the most part. Cat had a post back in the archives that gave temperature differences. I'm not sure if it was part of the archives that were deleted.[p]Z