Broke in my new #3 had some temperature fluctuations.

[ccase39]

I smoked 3 briskets yesterday and they turned out great. I have a maverick oven thermometer and another brand. There was a 5 degree difference in temp between the two but that is probably due to the fact they weren't in the exact same spot.
I did however notice a swing in temp on both. I was smoking at 225 but sometimes I would get a reading of 250 or so. A 25 degree swing is pretty major.
Is this normal?

 

[Durangosmoker]

I have a #2, and, while I generally don't monitor the box temperature any more, I used to see swings like that, especially at first.  I think that as the seasoning in the box builds up over time, it A) forms a tighter seal around the door, so less cold air seeps in, and B) somehow absorbs more heat and transfers it to the walls, which then radiates back and helps moderate the temperature swings within the box.

The true test, though, is how did your product turn out, and it sounds like you were pleased. Unless you are smoking very temperature sensitive foods, like fish or cheese, the swings should not be an issue (you would get bigger swings with an offset smoker, for example). Think of the set temperature as the average temperature, and you will be happier.  And that oven in your kitchen? Works the same way: Heats up to higher than the setting, heating element turns off, oven cools to below the set temperature, and the heating element turns on again.

 

[old sarge]

Temp swings hi/low of the set temp are perfectly normal for an analog smoker.  This is explained in the FAQ section. Relax and enjoy.

 

[DivotMaker]

Hi Chris - how about adding your first name, and town, to your signature line?  Please and thank you!

Most of the analogs will swing 10-15°, after more use (seasoning), which is common.  It will "average out" to the set temp, during a smoke.

Don't worry, and keep smoking! 8)

 

[SconnieQ]

Don't worry, and smoke some meat! 8)

Hey Tony, he was smoking 3 briskets... ;D ;D CCase, when my #1 was new, my box temps would sometimes go way up to 265 when set at 225. Then drop pretty far below (I was more concerned about the high end). But as it got more seasoned, the swings tightened up, and were in a more normal range. I don't bother monitoring the box temp anymore unless I'm smoking fish or other low temp smoke. The temp swings will not at all adversely affect your end product.

 

[DivotMaker]

Thanks Kari... :-[  Saw "broke in" and got in a hurry.

 

[NDKoze]

My #3 is several years-old with 10s if not 100s of smokes and I still get swings of up to 20-25, but that is only at the beginning of the smoke. As most smokes go on and the meat comes up to temp, the temps get significantly smaller.

All is well with your smoker and no need to worry.

 

[AlinMA]

Hi Chris, As others have said temperature swings are normal.
I usually do not monitor the box temperature but every 2 or 3 months I do check it to see if there are any changes. The graph shows what I typically see. The drop off during the last 1/2 hour is when I pulled the ribs out to sauce and wrap.
I've had the "little guy" cranking for over 15 months and have yet to see any appreciable change.