Higher Temperature

[Jackie]

On my last pork butt my maverick read 270 degrees.  I had not seen that high of a temperature before on my #2.

I did use the whiskey barrel oak.  Could that be the reason?

 

[DivotMaker]

Could have been - might have had a bit of combustion.  I've had that happen with the whiskey barrel oak; it's pretty dry.  Normally, you shouldn't see swings more than 20-30°.  Also, could have been probe placement.  If it gets too close to the smoke box, you'll see higher temps.

 

[swthorpe]

Did you have your temp set to 225?  If so, then 200-250 would be a normal +/-25F degree swing.  Was the 270 reading early in the smoke?  When I experienced combustion (before I starting putting foil around the wood) it would happen within the first 30 minutes of the smoke and I would see dark smoke.

 

[Jackie]

The temperature was reached about two thirds into the smoke.  I had it turned all the way up. 

Almost all my smokes are a little faster than the times posted here.  I do not think that is necessarily bad as long as I adjust my cooking times.

I appreciate your input.

 

[DivotMaker]

That makes sense, then.  If you dialed-up to 250, a reading of 270 is perfectly normal.

 

[swthorpe]

Yep, with a 20 degree +/- swing, I can see 270 if you set at 250F.    You might want to try dialing it down a bit to get more time in the smoker...I normally set for 225F on practically any meat that I am smoking.

 

[es1025]

Before the bypass i hit 280 in an empty smoker. I have seen my smoker hit mid 260's with meat inside. Its the averages +/- 20 degrees.
Since the bypass i have only gone up to 250.