Catching the temp - UDS

[jrobertson50]

Any temps for getting the temp on a UDS exactly where you want it? I am usually within 20 degrees of where i think i wanna be. but i am in Vegas and its already 110 outside and usually very dry heat. I find that 225 is really hard to get. and 250 is easy. I am using kingsford comp briquettes, and the minion method. Where ever the temp settles is awesome and keeps there for a long time (longest has been 13 hours but could go way more).

[Jerod Broussard]

Robert, sometimes you just have to go with what it wants to run with. 250 is still technically low and slow.

Those comp briquettes also burn a lot hotter than the standard blue and white.

[jrobertson50]

Didn't realize they burned hotter. I am doing a brisket point for burnt ends right now. I have it settled at 215. But trying to slowly mess with it to get it hotter. This time i closed the vents mostly off around 150 and i am letting it creep. How much vent do you have open / closed on your intakes?

[Jerod Broussard]

I run a PBC (Pit Barrel Cooker) and it has one vent that stays put. I use exhaust vents to control temp.

Looks like you are figuring it out.

I know one guy that has a small vertical ring of expanded metal in the middle of his charcoal basket. It may be about 3" in diameter. This has helped with more even temps.

[jrobertson50]

I am using the Big Poppa kit. so i end up with a sliver of one hole open. that seems to keep it steady.

[boftx]

I'm in North Las Vegas (Decatur and Cheyenne) and we're seeing close to 105 right now. My oldest step-son is getting ready to do a bunch (8 each, the whole famn damly is over) of chicken thighs and drumsticks on the COS so he'll be playing with vents, too. The only thing I can think of for a UDS is to use fewer live coals at a time and feed more often so you can run the vents more open. But I'm a stick-burner so that could be completely wrong.

[jrobertson50]

I am using 10 to light the UDS. and have just a sliver open. As you know the wind just picked up. at least here in henderson. So i had to close one side and open it up on the other. now im contending with wind being blow into the vent lol.

[David Parrish]

First thing I'd do is switch to kingsford blue bag. As Jerod said they run cooler. If that doesn't fix it try lighting with 6 or 8 briquettes instead of ten. It's easier to coax a fire hotter than cooler.

[boftx]

You folks gotta understand that here in Vegas we can see our cook chambers run 150+ degrees with NO fire lit during the summer.

[jrobertson50]

Thanks for the input. yesterday i managed to keep it right at 225. It was a bit cooler outside. no more than 100 degrees so that helped a bit. But pit boss ill take your recomend and use a few less starters as well. Once im out of the charcoal im using ill try the blue and see what i notice to be the difference.

[Jerod Broussard]

Good to hear.