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Trouble w temps

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    #1

    Trouble w temps

    Hi - wondering if anyone has some insight. Ive had a mak one star for a few years and I find I have trouble getting the temp up to around 350 when cooking chicken, turkey, etc. I don't seem to have trouble when testing when it's empty, but if I try smoking at 250 for a while the bumping it up, it climbs very very slowly and then seems to stall around 285-90. Is this a pellet brand issue? Should I not use a drip pan below the chicken on the top rack (blocking heat?).
    Tags: None
    #2
    Where are you checking temps and what are you setting the controller to? If you're setting the controller to 350 and using a drip pan, that's likely all it is. The air is deflecting around the pan and making it hotter by the RTD. I usually put my Fireboard on the rack with the food and adjust the controller to get what I want at that spot. Sometimes I using the MAK roaming thermocouple, usually it just stays in its spot though and I adjust high or low to get what I want near the food.
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    • Primo
      #2.1
      Primo commented
      August 22, 2021, 12:45 PM
      Editing a comment
      Sorry I didn't put my comment as a reply and thanks for responding: I don't have the roaming thermocouple
      so it is in its regular spot. And I'm just using the mak controller. Yesterday I had the chicken on the upper rack on left side w drip pan below it. Even when I bumped the set temp to 375 it wasn't getting above 300. I guess I can try doing that on the right side, or conversely testing temp w FireBoard where the food is.
    #3
    I don't have the roaming thermocouple so it is in its regular spot. And I'm just using the mail controller. Yesterday I had the chicken on the upper rack on left side w drip pan below it. Even when I bumped the set temp to 375 it wasn't getting above 300. I guess I ca try doing that on the right side, or conversely testing temp w FireBoard where the food is...

    Comment

      #4
      So you say it's an older 1 Star, how old is it? A pic would help. Anyway I'm going to guess you don't have the newest firmware and you probably don't have the flamezone? The 1 star was sold as a solid smoker, and it is, but the older ones with the stock heat deflector and older firmware won't climb fast from smoke temp to a grilling temp.

      Comment

      • Primo
        #4.1
        Primo commented
        August 22, 2021, 01:58 PM
        Editing a comment
        Thanks, It's from 2017, although I have a new pit controller on it; no flame zone. I'm also wondering if my using some really old pellets may have affected this...
      • ItsAllGoneToTheDogs
        #4.2
        ItsAllGoneToTheDogs commented
        August 22, 2021, 05:32 PM
        Editing a comment
        Primo yeah, old pellets could be the culprit. You say new controller... but if you are running new firmware (within the last 12 months) it is assuming you have a flamezone since that is standard now.
        • 1 like
      • Primo
        #4.3
        Primo commented
        August 22, 2021, 05:56 PM
        Editing a comment
        Well that's an interesting point, about the controller - I've ordered new pellets so I'll see if they solves things- otherwise I have to follow up w Mak about the firmware.
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