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Temp control

mikeinccfl
mikeinccfl Posts: 119
in EggHead Forum
My first raised-direct tonight -- spatchcocked chicken (5.5 lbs). Full firebox, started in two spots. I closed down bottom vent most of the way (naked top vent) when it hit 375 and let it run for 30 mins. Temp held steady at 375 for 30 mins and I figured it was OK to add the chicken. It had started raining (pouring) about 15 minutes after it hit 375 but the temp held steady.

I expected a temp drop from the cold mass and it obliged. It was about 300 10 minutes after the chicken hit the grid. I expected it to climb again but it didn't I kept tweaking the lower vent about every 10-15 mins. After an hour of cooking it just made it to 350 but the bird temp was good and I pulled it. I had to load in a heavyt rain but I can't believe opening the dome for 30 seconds, even in a heavy rain, would affect the lump that much.

It cooked faster than I expected (esp. at a lower temp) and I'll check the thermo calibration. But did the temp stay lower because of the protein mass or did the rain contribute (or something else)?

Of course the weather was fine when I lit the egg. But there is a definite correlation between meteorological events and me cooking outside. The moisture hit the fan after this photo...



Getting dressed for dinner...




It was a good chicken!


L BGE, XL appetite
Cape Coral, FL
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Comments

  • GregW
    GregW Posts: 2,678
    Looks great.
    And a sweet tropical landscape also.
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  • johnnyp
    johnnyp Posts: 3,932
    It's a combination of the two

    Lots of guys on here will say that rain doesn't impact temp, but that hasn't been my experience.  I experience small temperature drops when it rains.  doesnt seem to impact my cooks though 
    XL & MM BGE, 36" Blackstone - Newport News, VA
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  • lousubcap
    lousubcap Posts: 36,797
    However, you got there-the end-game was most eggcellent.  BTW- nice adult supervisory beverage choice. 
    Louisville; Rolling smoke in the neighbourhood.  Life is too short for light/lite beer!  Seems I'm livin in a transitional period. CHEETO (aka Agent Orange) makes Nixon look like a saint.  
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  • GrateEggspectations
    GrateEggspectations Posts: 11,603
    I suspect a culprit for your temp issues - the empty bottle.  =)
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  • tikigriller
    tikigriller Posts: 1,389
    Obviously it was at 350 and your blurred vision made it seem less!!  LOL

    Chicken looks great. My question would be how much rain got on the limo when you opened it?  Wet lump takes longer to heat from everything I have read and based on your surroundings being so tropical, my imagination is picturing a tropical down pour when you opened the lid. 
    Just bought an Egg?  Here is what you get to look forward to now:

    Plate Setter, FlameBoss 200, Spider, PSWOO-CI, Additional Rig Shelf for dome cooking, Thermapen, iGrill2, Cast Iron, Blackstone, Cooking Accessories for the Blackstone, Cover for the Egg and the Blackstone, shopping for Rub like a fine wine or IPA, and a new fascination with lump and what brand is the best-all to be debated every Friday Night.  Next desires-Joetisceriie, Adjustable Rig, Grillmates, table and more eggs

    Livermore, California
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  • mikeinccfl
    mikeinccfl Posts: 119
    tikigriller said:
    Obviously it was at 350 and your blurred vision made it seem less!!  LOL

    Chicken looks great. My question would be how much rain got on the limo when you opened it?  Wet lump takes longer to heat from everything I have read and based on your surroundings being so tropical, my imagination is picturing a tropical down pour when you opened the lid. 
    The lump was exposed for a very short time to a soaking rain. Open the dome, bird on the grid, close the dome. But with the egg stable-hot, wouldn't most of the added moisture dry quickly?
    L BGE, XL appetite
    Cape Coral, FL
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  • mikeinccfl
    mikeinccfl Posts: 119
    GrateEggspectations said:
    I suspect a culprit for your temp issues - the empty bottle.  =)
    LOL, I'll make sure there's a full backup bottle next time to prevent empty-bottle issues. 
    L BGE, XL appetite
    Cape Coral, FL
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  • jtcBoynton
    jtcBoynton Posts: 2,814
    @mikeinccfl   Probably a combination of things contributed to the temp drop.  Yes the cold mass of the bird will have some impact, but it should be temporary.  Water getting into the egg will also have some impact - it takes a bit of energy to convert water to steam. You may have had a significant amount entering because you had no top on (I once had a fire put out from one of our south fl downpours).  One other factor is the change in solar radiation that was hitting the egg.  Changing the heat balance can be significant if you go from full sun to no sun (at our latitude).  I estimate about 20º difference for long cook temps.
    Southeast Florida - LBGE
    In cooking, often we implement steps for which we have no explanations other than ‘that’s what everybody else does’ or ‘that’s what I have been told.’  Dare to think for yourself.
     
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  • mikeinccfl
    mikeinccfl Posts: 119
    jtcBoynton said:
    @mikeinccfl   Probably a combination of things contributed to the temp drop.  Yes the cold mass of the bird will have some impact, but it should be temporary.  Water getting into the egg will also have some impact - it takes a bit of energy to convert water to steam. You may have had a significant amount entering because you had no top on (I once had a fire put out from one of our south fl downpours).  One other factor is the change in solar radiation that was hitting the egg.  Changing the heat balance can be significant if you go from full sun to no sun (at our latitude).  I estimate about 20º difference for long cook temps.
    Thanks, @jtcBoynton! I'll be more prepared next time the rain goes heavy and adjust the lower vent right away instead of waiting. Possibly there's a smokeware cap in my future but I prefer to go commando :)

    L BGE, XL appetite
    Cape Coral, FL
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  • yljkt
    yljkt Posts: 799
    You can just get an old coffee can with some holes in the side and stick it over the top vent. Not pretty but it works. 
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  • mikeinccfl
    mikeinccfl Posts: 119
    yljkt said:
    You can just get an old coffee can with some holes in the side and stick it over the top vent. Not pretty but it works. 
    Cool, thanks!
    L BGE, XL appetite
    Cape Coral, FL
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  • Mattman3969
    Mattman3969 Posts: 10,458
    mikeinccfl said:
     Full firebox, started in two spots. I closed down bottom vent most of the way (naked top vent) when it hit 375 and let it run for 30 mins. Temp held steady at 375 for 30 mins and I figured it was OK 
    Under normal conditions this is the perfect scenario. I really don't think the egg was stabilized after 30 mins.  Normally you wouldn't see any problems with what you did but when you combine the rain and the ceramics that are just starting to stabilize you will get a temp drop in the ambient temp of the egg.  The chicken cooked quickly because the fire was still hot and trying to reach the temp of your vent settings(if that makes sense).   
      I agree with @johnnyp on the weather elements mess with the egg.  I've seen as much as a 25° drop on a stabil egg.  
      No matter the issue, you handled it great and looks like you had an awesome meal.  


    -----------------------------------------

    analyze adapt overcome

    2008 -Large BGE. 2013- Small BGE and 2015 - Mini. Henderson, Ky.
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  • mikeinccfl
    mikeinccfl Posts: 119
    edited September 2016
    Mattman3969 said:
    I really don't think the egg was stabilized after 30 mins.  Normally you wouldn't see any problems with what you did but when you combine the rain and the ceramics that are just starting to stabilize you will get a temp drop in the ambient temp of the egg.  The chicken cooked quickly because the fire was still hot and trying to reach the temp of your vent settings(if that makes sense).   
      I agree with @johnnyp on the weather elements mess with the egg.  I've seen as much as a 25° drop on a stabil egg.  
    Thanks! I'll let it idle longer, esp. in rain and when sun starting to set.
    L BGE, XL appetite
    Cape Coral, FL
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