Temperature Swings / Max Temp / Concerns / Etc

[Wik]

I was just thinking maybe we should make a formal sticky on this subject with some of the experiences many of us have came to understand.  As well as maybe some of the outstanding questions.  Some topics I was thinking that could be included are:

• Seasoning Temp Swings - Don't fret it will act way different with a meat load
• Max Temp Too Low - Knob adjustment link http://smokinitforums.com/index.php?topic=1219.0
• Large Swings in Temp during Smoking - Pan placement, Pan as heat sink, some swing expected with analog
• Probe placement - Too close to meat, differences in placing on top versus bottom rack
• Probe Calibration - Ice Bath / Boil calibration test for your thermometers
• Holding to a few degrees - PID unit such as Auber is really needed if you "want" this type of control
• Tuning Auber - Stock setting may be fine, but unit allows you to AutoTune to your smoker
• Other advantages of Auber - Up to 6 Smoke steps based on either Time or IT before proceeding to next step

I'm sure I'm over simplifying the list and forgetting things, but I think it would be nice to have a checklist for people to start with then we can always continue trying to help.  I know I had my fair share of questions early on and there is definitely some good info on the forum on various posts.  Maybe we can treat is as a living document.  Again the above is just a quick brain dumb with very little details on each.  I can certainly put some more effort in this list and add some cross reference links over time.  We seem to continually learn more as we go and it nice to have feedback from others using the same smoker / conditions / etc.

Thoughts?
Wik

 

[DivotMaker]

Great idea, Wik!  As we continue to grow, we're going to see more people with these concerns.  I'll work on this.  Thanks!

 

[Wik]

Didn't mean to add work for yah, I'll try and put some stuff together as well and you can use what you think is useful.  Have some flight time coming up, so I may have some time on my hands...
Wik

 

[DivotMaker]

PM me what you have in mind.  Thanks Wik!

 

[Thesneakyzebra]

This sounds great. I would love to contribute here shortly as I have been fine tuning my #3 since I purchased it.

 

[benjammn]

I think this should be a community effort to help those that are having similar issues. This is a great place to put those past experiences but keep limited to make it easier to sort through the post.

 

[DivotMaker]

You're absolutely right, Ben.  But, consolidating some of the previous solutions may help folks find the answers they need without having to reinvent the wheel. 

One easy step, to start with, would be to move the threads with problems to the Problems and Troubleshooting section.  That way, those that are looking for a solution won't have to dig for all the scattered problem posts.  You all ok with that?

 

[benjammn]

Sounds like a plan

 

[GeeBee]

That's probably also the best place to put the sticky. BTW, in reference to calibrating probes, I read somewhere (another forum I think) that barometric pressure (i.e. your "altitude") can make a difference of 2 or 3 degrees for those that are really into precision. There was even a link to a calculator where you could enter your pressure and see the difference. Sorry I didn't take notes, it wasn't that important to me, just something interesting.

 

[old sarge]

Gary,

This may be what your are referring to.



http://www.csgnetwork.com/h2oboilcalc.html

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/boiling-points-water-altitude-d_1344.html

 

[Walt]

That's only for the boiling water test.  If you use the ice bath altitude doesn't matter.

 

[old sarge]

Agree.

 

[WeekendWarrior]

I wanted to bump this post, was this ever done.

Is there a calibration procedure that can be done to ensure a unit is operating  normally?

I am not sure at this point what "normal" is.

Seems like we could come up with a procedure that could be reproducible  for each model to see what sort of temperatures to expect.

Maybe setting a water pan on the highest level with x amount of water, and then taking temperature readings at various points to establish some sort of base line would work.