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Can't get below 250- need advice

Unknown
Unknown
edited November -0001 in EggHead Forum
I've had ribs on direct for a couple of hours, but can't seem to bring the dome temp below 250. (want to be at 220) Bottom open 1/4", daisy barely a crack. Using BGE lump and a few chunks of hickory.
Any ideas?
Thanks
Al
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Comments

  • Shishkaknob
    Shishkaknob Posts: 114
    Hi Al,[p]If you let the temp run away from you and get too hot in the beginning, it can be tough to bring down because of the heat held in the ceramic walls but if you come up slowly to your target temp it should be simple to maintain.
    1/4" for the bottom vent might also be the culprit. Try closing it down completely. Allow your temp to drop to 220 and then just open the vents both just a crack. If the temp continues to drop...open the daisy wheel a crack more. As long as the bottom vent has a tiny opening, you'll get airflow. Control the smaller increases with the daisy wheel until you get where you need to be. [p]Cheers,[p]John
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  • Celtic Wolf
    Celtic Wolf Posts: 9,773
    Al B,[p] You want the dome at 250 so that the grate will be at 220. If you have the dome at 220 the grate will be below 200.[p] [p]
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  • tach18k
    tach18k Posts: 1,607
    Al B, no real reason ribs to be at 220 dome. keep at 250 and relax

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  • BobS
    BobS Posts: 2,485
    Al B,
    I prefer 250 even with my Guru. That said, when not using the Guru, I would say that my bottom vent is open about the width of a quarter or less, to get to 250.
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  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Shishkaknob,
    Thanks all for the good advice, but how do I keep the egg from getting above 220? It seems to shoot way past that while I'm starting the lump. Should I be using only one oiled paper towel to start it up, rather than two spread out?
    Thanks
    Al
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  • Shishkaknob
    Shishkaknob Posts: 114
    Al B,
    When you start the lump there will be flames. Those flames will cause a temporary spike in the temperature but it should only last as long as it takes for the starter cube (if that is your lighting method) to extinguish. That is not long enough for the ceramic walls to heat up significantly. For a low and slow cook, I only use a single weber cube to start the fire. I place it on top of and centred on the pile of lump. Build the fire with larger chunks of lump on the bottom and stack smaller bits of lump on top. That will give the fire breathing room. [p]Hope that helps.[p]Cheers,[p]John
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