How to maintain temp

[elfstone]

Hi all, new to the site. I am a novice and just got a Brinkmann Vertical/Rectangle Smoker with the top and bottom doors. I have followed the instructions regarding curing it and used brickets. While I was doing that I could not get the temp any higher them 150 degree's. Today I thouhght I would try again before I actually smoked anything and used hardwood charcoal and was able to get the temp up to 200 degree's for a while. What do I have to do to get to to 200 to 250 and maintain that heat?? Help

 

[meowey]

The first thing to check is your thermometer. What thermometer were you using to measure the temp? If you were using the built it stock thermo, chances are that it is off. Confirm your temps with a digital probe thermo.

Hopefully someone who used that unit will be along to suggest any mods needed to improve performance.

Hope this helps!

Take care, have fun, and do good!

Regards,

Meowey

 

[elfstone]

Thank you, Yesterday I used the temp gauge on the unit. Today I bought a a gauge that goes inside the smoker and that is how I new I had reached 200 degree's.

 

[jjrokkett]

Welcome Elfstone! I'm not familiar with that unit but I'm sure someone knowledgeable will be along to help you!

 

[bmudd14474]

Welcome to SMF. Are you getting alot of soot built up? Might have to build a basket to help with air flow thru the coals.

 

[irishteabear]

Welcome to SMF. Glad you joined us.

 

[richoso1]

Welcome to the SMF. I see you've already gotten some good advise, so I'll let you work on it. Good luck my friend, and never concern yourself about asking questions. It's all good my friend.

 

[smokin_tarheel]

I saw a post just a few days ago about this somewhere. They got a grilling basket without any coatings to put the charcoal in. These baskets are common at Wal-Mart etc.http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=10909683 The one the guy used had round holes it it but this should work just as well.

Wal-mart has two different priced digital thermometers that are good to use smoking. I have the 16.00 one and it works just as good as a 50.00 talking thermometer.

 

[the_selling_blues_man]

I have a similar smoker. Several things come to mind on getting the temperatures up:

Switch over to lump charcoal - less ash to disrupt airflow.

Use a remote therm - the one on the front of my smoker was off 40-60 degrees.

Replace the charcoal pan with a wok grill pan.

Go without water in the pan (I run mine empty). Or at least go with sand in the pan rather than water.

The pan height is adjustable on my smoker. To increase temps, raise the pan higher above the charcoal basket.

Make sure that the vent on the top is completely open at all times.

With some simple modifications, you should be able to run with one bottom vent 1/4 way open and the other closed and still maintain temps of 225 - 250 degrees. You will use a lot less charcoal too!