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Help for a new eggguy

yx717pirate1
yx717pirate1 Posts: 2
edited November -0001 in EggHead Forum
I have the smaller egg and seem to have a problem getting the temp to about 200 degrees. After I light the charcoal, how long should I let it burn before closing the lid? After I close the lid, how rapidly can I control the temp? I have tried to manipulate the the openings to get the temp to my desired smoking temperature? HELP

Thanks
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Comments

  • Morro Bay Rich
    Morro Bay Rich Posts: 2,227
    Heat = fuel + air

    If the heat is down, one or both of the things on the other side of the equation is/are down.
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  • Broc
    Broc Posts: 1,398
    Are you trying to get the temp UP, or to hold it DOWN?

    ~B
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  • Grandpas Grub
    Grandpas Grub Posts: 14,226
    Tell us a little more..

    The mini, small, medium & large are all smaller than the XL. What size egg, how are you lighting your lump now, how full is the lump in the egg?

    GG
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  • yx717pirate1
    yx717pirate1 Posts: 2
    Thanks all for responding so quickly. I have the mini egg. I am trying to keep my temperature down, around the 200 degree range so I can smoke the food. I am lighting with a propane torch (for now). Once I light the lump charcoal, that I am stacking to just below the top of the internal fire ring, I let it burn for maybe 5 to 10 minutes, then close the lid. I cant seem to get the temperature to go below 375 or so. Thanks again for the help.
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  • Grandpas Grub
    Grandpas Grub Posts: 14,226
    Make sure your dome thermometer is calibrated or at least close to calibration.

    It is always easier to take the temperature up on an egg than trying to lower the temperature. Try not to get the initial light higher than your desired cook temperature.

    I usually don't cook that low on the mini - so I am guessing here. However, you shouldn't have any problems.

    If you are doing a long cook, light in two spots, left and right of center. With propane get it lit let the dome stay open for a short while, then close the dome.

    Once the thermometer climbs 180° (no flames) close the lower vent to 1/16 - 1/8 inch open. Put on the DFMT and close the slider and petals open 1/3. The lower vent on the mini is small as it is so the opening may have to be wider than what I said above. You will soon know.

    Watch your temperature and adjust the bottom vent for course changes and petals for smaller changes. If you add smoking wood you will have to watch the temperature.

    The mini uses so little lump you might want to do a test to see where your vents have to be and how long the mini will maintain that temperature.

    You may want to fill the lump to the top of the fire box and not the top of the fire ring. The top of the fire ring is pretty close to the grid. Of course less lump, shorter burn time.

    As I recall someone smoked a butt on the mini and had to reload once during the long cook time.

    I can get about 4 hours with the dome between 350° - 400° on one load of lump.

    GG
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