HELP! Masterbuilt 2 Door..temp fluctuating 15-20 degrees each way..can't stabalize

[idsmokethat]

I bought the masterbuilt pro 2 door from HD a couple of weeks ago and this is my first time using it for a smoke.    It keeps fluctuating between 215 and sometimes as high as 245.  Is that a major problem?  Anything I can do to help?  I've been playing with the vents and currently have the smoker on the lowest flame setting. No water pan being used.

Thanks in advance!

 

[chef jimmyj]

Not really a big deal unless it is spending most of the time on the low end. The Average is 230°F which is fine...JJ

 

[SmokyMose]

A water pan wouldn't hurt. I cracked the top door open a tad with mine if the temps got too high.
There's a reason the door latches are adjustable. I fidgeted with that gasser more than I do the stick burner. It's really a decent cooker, you just have to watch it...

 

[idsmokethat]

Thanks!  I have a stick burner that I mixed charcoal/wood in...never had to work this hard to tweak the temp.  I went to propane because I thought it might be easier to set the smoker and know the temp would be constant

 

[ridnsmoke]

I've had mine for 2 weekends and 4 smokes and found the door gauge is not to be trusted.   I have a River Country on order to replace it and have an oven unit I'm using until it gets here.   

I also don't like the nuts they supplied for the circular vents on the lower sides - they're too loose and makes it hard to maintain control of the airflow.

hope this helps

RidnSmoke