Fire keeps going out

wesley3flex

Everytime i try to cook a boston butt through the night the fire keeps going out. What do you think the problem would be?

Crimsongator

You have an oxygen flow issue. Either your settings are closed too much or you lump is making too much ash and clogging the holes up (assuming you have enough lump in the egg)

Be sure the egg is good an clean with all old ash removed. Fill with fresh lump and get the fire established. When you discover the fire is out, can you tell how long it has been since you last checked the egg?

wesley3flex

if I am trying to hold the temp of the egg at 235 how far should the bottom vent be open?

Rusty Rooster

235 is pretty low for butts. Try 250. On mine 250 the bottom is open about the width of a nickel. At 235 dome temp, your grid is about 210. That is pretty low to get a butt done & hard to keep a fire burning that low.

Unknown

First thing is the amount of lump you are using: for a 12 - 16 hour cook, you should use about 10-12" deep of lump in a large BGE. Try and arrange a couple of larger pieces on the bottom, this will create gaps which will improve airflow.
Second make sure your BGE is clean down below, for a long cook you do not want to start with any ash in the bottom, clean it out!
Third make sure your oxygen is flowing properly, top (Daisy Wheel) and bottom... should be clean and free of debris and BGE crunchies...

This should do it!!!! Enjoy your meal, I am starting 2 Boston butts Sat night at 5 pm for an all-nighter myself!

danny285

You should be cooking at 250 for low and slow's, anything less is hard to do for long periods of time, consider getting a TurboGrate from the BBQ Guru folks, your fire will never go out because of a clogged grate. Good Luck

Crimsongator

I agree with Tom (man I feel liberated by that statement)

Bump you temps a little higher. You can cook at 235, but run the risk of losing your fire, unless you have a pit controller.

wesley3flex

Thank you for the information. I got it running again at 250 now. I opened the bottom up a little bit more. I think I had the bottom way too close for oxygen flow.

Do you think it will hurt the butt for the grill to have been out for a few hours?

Bordello

Use this as a guide, hope it helps some. You setting may be a little different but should be in the ball park.

Posted by Grandpas Grup

http://www.eggheadforum.com/index.php?option=com_simpleboard&func=view&id=670088&catid=1

Good Luck,
Bordello

WokOnMedium

What was the internal temp of the meat? What was the dome temp on the Egg?

wesley3flex

The Dome temp was at 230, but when i realized it was out the temp was basically at outside temp. The butt temp was barely above outsite temp. Think its ruined?

WokOnMedium

I'm in Minnesota today....outside temp to me is 34 degrees.

What was the dome temp, what was the meat temp, and what was it the last time you checked (the meat temp).

2Fategghead

If you are sure the problem is not to ash buildup or cloged holes in your fire box/grate. Or your not low on lump in your egg. I would suggest cooking your butts at a little higher dome temp like 250*-275*. Assuming your dome temp thermeter is not far off calabration.

I may also suggest looking into some kind of wiggle rod. This would be a nifty rod used to aid in wiggleing out the holes in the firebox by reaching up from the bottom. Use Caution when doing this task because flames could shoot out or you could knock the fire grate out of wack.

Also, here is a link put together by our own grandpas grubs.Tim

http://www.eggheadforum.com/index.php?option=com_simpleboard&func=view&id=718915&catid=1

Ross in Ventura

This is what I use
http://secure.thebbqguru.com/ProductCart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=36&idproduct=234

Ross

danny285

Ross, I am glad to know that i am not the only one here that has discovered the TurboGrate, it is the best acc there is for the BGE

Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker

mine doesn't either. because i have a BGE. i use the "whizeroo" (see the naked whix site).

just clarifying for potential lurkers... the BGE easily maintains overnight temps without powered draft units. they are a bit of insurance, but not necessary. they are also not a guarantee, as folks have certainly has fires go out while using powered draft units.

poorly built fires, ash build-up, insufficient fuel, operator error... powered draft units can't deal with those.

no dig against the guru or any other unit. every user i have ever heard of has been happy. but they aren't required, and though they provide some insurance, they aren't fail-safe.

Little Steven

stripsteak,

Could you define "potential lurkers" please.

Steve

Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker

ok. "lurkers. potential buyers"

your knot becoming a grammar cop our you? you'll have you're hands full hear if you are

(misspellings intentional)

Little Steven

I just wanted to know if that was a new designation....sheesh :laugh:

Steve

Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker

just goofing. i don't use smileys as much as i should.

Little Steven

I knew.