"Oscar" > wrote in message
. com...
> Hey - I've been using a Char Griller Super Pro with side fire box for
> several months, with mixed results.
Normal beginning cycle, to be expected.
>This is my first real attempt at using a
> smoker, trying to move up from using indirect heat on a grill, and wide
> swings in the chamber temperature are about to drive me crazy. I've read
> thru the FAQ and have tried to adopt its suggestions. I extended the
chimney
> down to the cooking surface, and inverted the fire box in the cooking
> chamber, to act as a baffle.
>I replaced the cheap thermometer with a
> Tru-Temp. I'm also using a remote thermometer with meat probe and chamber
> probe, that agrees pretty well with the Tru-Temp.
Smart man.
> thru bags of the stuff. Anyway, I'm having a helluva time maintaining any
> control over temperature. Shooting for about 250, I'm getting continuous
> swings from about 280+ when the wood flames up, then dropping to 210 or
> less. I've been keeping my exhaust damper wide open, then trying to use
> small adjustments to the side box damper, but nothing seems to work. I'm
> desperate, and would appreciate any advice that will help keep me from
> turning this smoker into a very large boat anchor. Thanks for your help.
>
I went crazy the first summer on this cooker as well. Basically I was trying
to control it *too* much. Unless I put on a big chunk of wood or lump which
need to get burning so it won't just smolder, I'll keep the intake at about
1/2 inch to an inch open mostly. Yeah, keep the exhaust full open. Wood is
harder to control than most things so you've got your work cut out for ya,
but on the other hand, it can be the best fuel too. You patience WILL be
rewarded, just figure the first summer to be your internship and lower your
expectations and it'll be fine. Maybe you just need more beer, or something
harder?
Anyway, here's a longish post that describes my typical burn and load cycle
for pork butt (bit different for ribs). I'm now getting up to two hours on
a fuel load, when I first started out an hour was good. You WILL improve and
it will be worth your while, but I understand the frustration too. Did I
mention having another beer?
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/...3e206858?hl=en
Dale
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