- Oct 3, 2009
- 122
- 10
I completed my UDS build and did a seasoning smoke to learn nuances of unit. I placed three probes on the top grate and let it rip. I had up to a 60* variance in the temps registering by probes depending on how many caps (lower) I had off. I had a 40+* difference when I got it around 275*.
The next day I checked my probes and found I had one bad one, and pitched it. Started another fire, and was getting a 40* - 50* difference again on the same rack. Probes were pushed through onions roughly 2-3 inches apart. The difference was consistent as I would open and or close caps and let settle for at least 30 minutes before making any other adjustment. (For example, when I would take a cap off and let stabilize both would readings would raise but still be ~50* apart.)
I did notice early in the burn I had some smoke seeping out from where lid sits on barrel, later in the burn this was not present. I would not have believed this without seeing it, my lid fits tight enough that I can lift the entire barrel up using handle on lid when pressed on.
I had probe wires running through weber lid vent holes (always wide open). This is a pain in the ass. Do I need to worry about drilling holes at grate level to allow for probe wire to pass? I have always left my probes in after pulling finished product and while they are wrapped in foil. I have done this because it seems when I have pulled probes to wrap a geyser of juiciness comes pouring out of probe hole. Am I misguided on this as well?
I did construct a square charcoal basket and have included a picture at the beginning of the burn. I have it raised up 3" from ash pan, my ash pan is a cookie sheet I trimmed to size (it does have about a 1 inch side...should I flatten this?).
I can't believe I can screw this up, but somehow I have. Needless to say I am more than a little bummed out. I would appreciate any and all help.
The next day I checked my probes and found I had one bad one, and pitched it. Started another fire, and was getting a 40* - 50* difference again on the same rack. Probes were pushed through onions roughly 2-3 inches apart. The difference was consistent as I would open and or close caps and let settle for at least 30 minutes before making any other adjustment. (For example, when I would take a cap off and let stabilize both would readings would raise but still be ~50* apart.)
I did notice early in the burn I had some smoke seeping out from where lid sits on barrel, later in the burn this was not present. I would not have believed this without seeing it, my lid fits tight enough that I can lift the entire barrel up using handle on lid when pressed on.
I had probe wires running through weber lid vent holes (always wide open). This is a pain in the ass. Do I need to worry about drilling holes at grate level to allow for probe wire to pass? I have always left my probes in after pulling finished product and while they are wrapped in foil. I have done this because it seems when I have pulled probes to wrap a geyser of juiciness comes pouring out of probe hole. Am I misguided on this as well?
I did construct a square charcoal basket and have included a picture at the beginning of the burn. I have it raised up 3" from ash pan, my ash pan is a cookie sheet I trimmed to size (it does have about a 1 inch side...should I flatten this?).
I can't believe I can screw this up, but somehow I have. Needless to say I am more than a little bummed out. I would appreciate any and all help.