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First Slow'n'Low Temp Question

DialSquare
DialSquare Posts: 34
in EggHead Forum
Hi guys, doing my first low cook after a handful of very successful grilling attempts and had a vent setting question. 

Setup:
XL, Woo with stone, Rockwood, a few oak chunks, drip pan elevated on stone with air gap. 

I did my best catching temp on the way up and put on 8lb butt after temp was stable in high 200's for about 30 minutes. My top and bottom vents are barely open a sliver but my temp has kept creeping and is at about 375 now. I just decided to put a half inch of water in drip pan to soak up some heat. 
Thanks! 

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Comments

  • bweekes
    bweekes Posts: 725
    How much is a "sliver" - can you take a pic? Seems unusual to be running up to 375 if just open slightly. 
    Ajax, ON Canada
    (XL BGE, MED BGE, La Caja China #2, and the wife's Napoleon gasser)
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  • td66snrf
    td66snrf Posts: 1,838
    When you open it to put water in the  drip pan you're letting a lot of oxygen in. 
    XLBGE, LBGE, MBGE, SMALL, MINI, 2 Kubs, Fire Magic Gasser
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  • lousubcap
    lousubcap Posts: 36,814
    Welcome aboard and enjoy the journey.
    Thermo calibrated?  Either that or you have an air-leak.  The air-flow drives fire size and with your vent description, it has to be coming from somewhere else.  Good luck-and the butt can handle a high heat cook as long as your rub doesn't have a lot of sugar. FWIW-

    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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  • Mattman3969
    Mattman3969 Posts: 10,458
    Keep an eye on the liquid because once it evaporates off your heat sync is gone and you will get another temp spike.   

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

    analyze adapt overcome

    2008 -Large BGE. 2013- Small BGE and 2015 - Mini. Henderson, Ky.
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  • jtcBoynton
    jtcBoynton Posts: 2,814
    Trying to regulate temp by adding water may not be the best path.  It can temporary soak up some heat, but it does not address the underlying issue of the airflow is too great for your target temp.
    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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  • DialSquare
    DialSquare Posts: 34
    edited February 2017
    Thanks guys temp is down to 350 now. My lower vent is closed to the point you can't see the opening. I will try to post pic. 
    Perhaps I didn't catch the temp low enough as I thought, I'm sure it's operator error lol. All of my vents and gasket seem well sealed. 
    I have not calibrated my dome thermo. Good news is I just got a Thermapen so I will calibrate against the dome thermo tonight. 
    I'll keep you guys posted thanks for helping me! 
    Cheers! 

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  • DialSquare
    DialSquare Posts: 34
    Just figured out my problem. Looks like my dome has slipped in its band a bit, leaving an air gap around the back 1/3 of the egg. Will update! 
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  • jtcBoynton
    jtcBoynton Posts: 2,814
    DialSquare said:
    Just figured out my problem. Looks like my dome has slipped in its band a bit, leaving an air gap around the back 1/3 of the egg. Will update! 
    That will do it!
    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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  • lousubcap
    lousubcap Posts: 36,814
    Fire physics again validated.  
    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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  • THEBuckeye
    THEBuckeye Posts: 4,232
    Someone said on here that for 225 you want it open about the width a quarter.

    I'll let it get upwards of 350 and heat up then crank it down and settle in. Takes some patience.  
    New Albany, Ohio 

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  • SmokingPiney
    SmokingPiney Posts: 2,319
    THEBuckeye said:
    Someone said on here that for 225 you want it open about the width a quarter.

    I'll let it get upwards of 350 and heat up then crank it down and settle in. Takes some patience.  
    My XL doe not like holding anything less than 250 unless I use the Flame Boss. 

    At 250, my bottom vent is open less than 1/2", and the daisy wheel is almost closed.

    But, I guess this has tons of variables involved, also. :)
    Living the good life smoking and joking
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  • pgprescott
    pgprescott Posts: 14,544
    Btw. Great call on the heat sink with the water in drop pan. Very heady  
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  • DialSquare
    DialSquare Posts: 34
    edited February 2017
    Thanks again guys. This morning with everything cooled off, I was able to adjust my dome band and get a good seal all around. Looking forward to giving it another shot. 

    To my surprise, other than one corner edge that was a bit dry, the butt turned out great! Lots of leftovers for the week. 

    Appreciate the help, you all have a great Sunday! 


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