Brinkman Dual Stage Smoker Temp Question

[galenabob]

Has anyone else had problems getting the temperture up to 235 with their Pitmaster Deluxe for Baby Back Ribs?  Yesterday I used my charcoal starter and loaded the firebox with hot charcoal.  The temp got up to 235 and then I added a water pan (9x13) tin foil pan and three slabs of ribs.  The side air damper was open approximately 60-66% and the smoke stack was was approximately the same opening.  The heat wouldn't get over 150ish inside the smoker (tried for approximately 2.5 hours).

I have made the following modifications to my smoker:

• Extended the Smoke Stack inside of the unit to touch the grate
• Added a heat shield that extends approximately 1/2 way into the smoker
• Added two additional thermometers to the smoker side at grate height
• Added a charcoal basket so the coals can get plenty of air flow
• Expandable metal grate inside the smoker

All three thermometers are within 8-10 degrees of each other when the smoker heats up...

I was thinking about installing a Pitmaster IQ 110 to get a more even air flow for temperture control.  Has anyone else done this with their Brinkman PitMaster Deluxe?  Any other suggestions?

Thank you in advance for any assistance you can forward me...

 

[daveomak]

Has anyone else had problems getting the temperture up to 235 with their Pitmaster Deluxe for Baby Back Ribs?  Yesterday I used my charcoal starter and loaded the firebox with hot charcoal.  The temp got up to 235 and then

I added a water pan (9x13) tin foil pan and three slabs of ribs.Have you tried smoking without the water pan ? It absorbs a lot of heat...

The side air damper was open approximately 60-66% and the smoke stack was was approximately the same opening.

The stack should be fully open, when smoking, and the heat control is the adjustment at the firebox. One more mod might be to try lengthening the stack a foot or two...  that will increase the draft thru the smoker and that in turn increases the air flow thru the firebox creating more heat....     

The heat wouldn't get over 150ish inside the smoker (tried for approximately 2.5 hours).

I have made the following modifications to my smoker:

• Extended the Smoke Stack inside of the unit to touch the grate. Raise the smoke chamber extension about 2" off of the grate... The grate may be restricting the airflow to the exhaust...
• Added a heat shield that extends approximately 1/2 way into the smoker
• Added two additional thermometers to the smoker side at grate height
• Added a charcoal basket so the coals can get plenty of air flow
• Expandable metal grate inside the smoker

All three thermometers are within 8-10 degrees of each other when the smoker heats up...

I was thinking about installing a Pitmaster IQ 110 to get a more even air flow for temperture control.  Has anyone else done this with their Brinkman PitMaster Deluxe?  Any other suggestions? Before adding the IQ 110, be sure to seal all leaks in the smoker between the air inlet and exhaust..  Leaks will cause the smoker to run cold...  all the air should pass through the firebox and smoke chamber and out the stack....  

Thank you in advance for any assistance you can forward me...

Bob, morning....   give these ideas a try and get back to us..... We want you to be successful and make great Q...   Dave