First Butt Smoke on the BGE - Question

Brazilian_Egg

Have a quick question... Smoking two Boston Butts on the XL BGE for the first time - Dome is at 250, grate is at 210 - what do I go by?

Dome temp is measured by stock thermometer (not calibrated btw) and the grate temp is from digital thermometer...

Any help appreciated.

Mark0525

I'v egone by dome 225 to 250 or so. You'll be fine

Rolling Egg

Just keep the dome temp at 250. It's hard to tell you which one to go by because it's just like asking me which one of your thermo's is right. I don't actually know. I just know if it was me I would just go off the dome. The dome typicaly runs around 25 degrees hotter than the grate. You've got 40 which is ok too or it may be because you have that hunk of cold meat right there by it. Either way your ok, just keep it where you have it and don't start trying to lower the dome to 230 or anything crazy. 250 dome and you will be fine.

ChargerGuy

I am doing 2 Butts as we speak err type, Dome 250 Grid 225.

Brazilian_Egg

Thanks guys. Appreciate the help.

BBQMaven

Bernardo,

I don't have my dome thermometer clipped from the inside. The clip is on the stem and I just slide it in the dome hole.
The main reason is so I can pull it and verify dome temp with my thermopen.
If needed I can calibrate the thermometer and never have to lift the lid.

Lei'd-n-Egg

Bernardo, thought I'd throw my 2 cents in. I agree with all too. Go by 250 dome and you'll be safe. Make sure you're stable and don't play around with it too much. Good luck!

Kent, that is a smart idea to leave you dome therm free so you can swap for the thermopen check. Thanks for the tip.

civil eggineer

That is why I always use the dome temp. There are a lot of variations when measuring temp at the grate level ie: cold meat, heat wash etc. The dome temp is much more stable and far enough away to not be affected by cold meat.