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Temp won;t get over 225

BHFG
BHFG Posts: 17
edited November -0001 in EggHead Forum
I lit the BGE about 3 1/2 hours ago and hooked up my BBQ Guru with pit temp set to 325. Then I put in a 13.7 lb turkey in a roasting pan. The fan has been running full time ever since, but the pit temp won't get over 225. The BBQ Guru and dome temp gauge both show the same.

The meat temp is up to about 130 and its starting to brown, so things are cooking, but should I be concerned about the pit temp never getting up where it should be?

I have the daisy wheel door closed, but have the vents full open now.

Any advice?

Rick
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Comments

  • mad max beyond eggdome
    mad max beyond eggdome Posts: 8,134
    make sure you dome temp probe isn't stuck in the bird. ..and make sure you pit temp probe isn't touching the bird or the pan on the side or anything. ...

    put your hand over the top vent. ..does it feel flaming hot? or does it "feel" like a 325 degree oven?? ...
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  • BHFG
    BHFG Posts: 17
    Temp coming out of the top is hot, but definitely not flaming. Feels about what the probe says. I moved the temp probe to the clip that holds the pit gauge in to see if that affects it in case it is hitting the bird. Would it be be advisable to clip the BBQ Guru temp probe to the top pf the roasting pan?

    I am thinking of checking the air temp coming out of the top with an infrared gun.

    Rick
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  • mad max beyond eggdome
    mad max beyond eggdome Posts: 8,134
    i would stick a skewer into the side of the bird so that it is sticking straight out the side. .. hook your guru temp probe to that so that it is outside of the edge of the pan. ...that should give you an accurate pit temp reading at the same level as your bird...
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  • BHFG
    BHFG Posts: 17
    I just basted the bird again and noticed the wood chips had not even burned. So I stirred the coals around and have noticeable more airflow now.

    I checked with an infrared gun and the air out of the daisy wheel was 146, but now is about 190. The coals were 246, but now appears to be climbing.

    I will check again in about 30 minutes.

    The bird is up to around 140 though, which sounds a little slow, but does it sound about the right the right pace?

    Rick
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  • Shiff
    Shiff Posts: 1,835
    Maybe the fire grate holes are clogged. This is where a wiggle rod comes in handy. You can make one out of a metal coat hanger. Do a forum search for info.
    Large BGE
    Barry, Lancaster, PA
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  • BHFG
    BHFG Posts: 17
    After 6 hours I finally gave up and decided to finish the bird in the oven. The white meat is pretty well done, but the dark meat is not.

    All I can figure is there was some airflow issue or else bad charcoal. This bag has been sitting on the garage floor with the top open for about a month. Maybe it drew some moisture or something. I think I will just let this load burn up and try it again next time.
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  • PhilsGrill
    PhilsGrill Posts: 2,256
    Before you started you totally cleaned out all the ash and cleared out the air holes from the egg right?
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  • Shiff
    Shiff Posts: 1,835
    I've seen this moisture mentioned by several people in various replies. I find it hard to believe since if the charcoal is lit and in a BGE that is running at several hundred degrees, I would think it would dry out rather quickly.

    I still say it was caused by plugged fire grate holes that need to be cleaned with a wiggle rod. This has always been my most common solution to temperature problems. You can buy a very nice one at

    http://thirdeyebbq.com/WiggleRods.aspx

    or make a functional one from an old metal coat hanger.
    Large BGE
    Barry, Lancaster, PA
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