Minimax temperature and smoke question

Stormbringer · May 2016

I have a LBGE and MM as well. When I fire up the large, the lump gets going, I put on the platesetter and the temperature does a steady climb to where I want it to be. There is a bit of smoke to begin with but it goes away.

On the MM however, the lump can be glowing with very little smoke, as soon as I put the platesetter on the temperature nosedives and lots of smoke comes out the top. It does get back up to temperature and the smoke does stop, but takes longer than the large egg does.

Is this a common problem, or am I missing something? I was wondering if the smaller cavity caused by the platesetter was starving the lump of oxygen a little, which wouldn't be a problem on the large.

This happens even when I have cleaned out the MM completely.

Darby_Crenshaw · May 2016

cold platesetter drops the ambient temp. that means the fire starts to starve a bit. and a starving fore smolders.

blow out a candle. the wick still burns for a bit with that tiny ember, but there is smoke. because it is incomplete combustion.

the minimax is probably so small that a cold platesetter upsets conditions or changes airflow (maybe more likely) enough momentarily that the fire drops back in strength before it recovers.

smell the smoke, if the fire was burning clean, but then starts smoking AND the smoke is bad, it's incomplete combustion.

it could also be something burning off from the platesetter, but that'd be obvious.

my guess is just the momentary reduction in airflow causes your fire to choke a bit and smolder.

Stormbringer · May 2016

Darby_Crenshaw said:

my guess is just the momentary reduction in airflow causes your fire to choke a bit and smolder.

^^ that's what I thought too. I just wondered if this was inherent in the design of the MM and if others had experienced it. Would be interesting to try the PS with legs up to see what difference that makes.

Darby_Crenshaw · May 2016

not inherent other than it gets lagnified due to size.

for starters, put the platesetter in when the thing is coming up to temp. that will alleviate the issue

Stormbringer · May 2016

Darby_Crenshaw said:

not inherent other than it gets lagnified due to size.

for starters, put the platesetter in when the thing is coming up to temp. that will alleviate the issue

Tried that to begin with, and still the same, hence thinking leaving the PS out for a bit and then putting it in might work. Meh. Just have to accept that it gets smokey and probably because of limited oxygen/confined space. It's not like it doesn't cook properly, seriously happy with it:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5017260/uploads/editor/ox/xrcxzdtj3ohq.jpg

johnmitchell · May 2016

I didn't read all the stuff above... I got hooked on this fantastic looking plate of grub.. Awesome looking burger and fries..

Stormbringer · May 2016

johnmitchell said:

I didn't read all the stuff above... I got hooked on this fantastic looking plate of grub.. Awesome looking burger and fries..

Thanks. The "fries" are Triple Cooked Duck Fat Chips, a variation on standard fries. If you fancy trying it the recipe is available on my food blog (not sure if this link is allowed, if it's not I'll remove it).

1move · May 2016

Yeah it's due to oxygen starvation, I have encountered the same issue especially if you have the older version of the fire ring and plate setter in the MM, which looks like you do.

Stormbringer · May 2016

1move said:

Yeah it's due to oxygen starvation, I have encountered the same issue especially if you have the older version of the fire ring and plate setter in the MM, which looks like you do.

Old version? That's a bit disappointing as I bought the MM new just over a month ago. What is the sign that this is the old model?

rockymountaineggster · May 2016

I bought mine a month ago and it's the old version. From what I have seen the distance from the top of the fire ring to the felt is shorter. Not really sure if the changes they made affect anything or what the reason for the change was.

Mattman3969 · May 2016

So why not load less lump so you have a bigger gap between the fire and the PS. That's what I do when using a stone on the mini. No issues.

Stormbringer · May 2016

Mattman3969 said:

So why not load less lump so you have a bigger gap between the fire and the PS. That's what I do when using a stone on the mini. No issues.

I'll try that. The other thing I can try is having the PS not seated in the grooves in the fire ring so there is more margin for air flow.

I had a look at the CGS website, from the description of the appears that BGE HQ decided to raise the height of the firestone. I took the measurements they suggested, our measurements are 11.25" internal diameter and 0.75" drop. Whether that means we have the old or new version, don't know.

1move · May 2016

You have the old version as the fire ring drops down the grid below the felt line about 0.5-0.75 of an inch.

They reduced the fire rings size and reduced the plate setters diameter from what I have seen. You can get these and have a "new version" but it's no big deal really.

fishindoc · May 2016

Hmmm, I want that MM so I can have that plate of grub!

Stormbringer · May 2016

Problem solved. Raise the PS up as per picture below and use slightly less lump. No smoke outside of the initial fog whilst lighting.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5017260/uploads/editor/5g/9tgvutgsoq7c.jpg

YEMTrey · May 2016

@Stormbringer, that's exactly how I setup my Mini Max now for indirect cooks. It helps a lot.

FATC1TY · May 2016

Exactly! I got my MM when it came out, and just didn't like it originally for smoking and stuff when I used the plate setter.

The gap around the edges is slim slim pickin's, Even with my woo, which is great, but with the plate setter, holy hell is it a fight sometimes to get the two apart from each other the fit is so tight.

I quickly started doing what you have there, was able to get a good gap, and raised into the dome, only issue I've seen is taller cuts like a butt, or even some chickens were a big tighter than I cared for.

Has anyone upgraded their fire ring and whatnot, and noticed any real difference worth noting?

Minimax temperature and smoke question

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