Help with DigiQ DX2

bunchde · 11-11-2013, 03:07 PM

I've had the 22.5 WSM with a DigiQ DX2 for a couple months. I'm having trouble keeping the pit up to temperature. During the last couple hours of the cook, the fan blasts non stop and temps stay below 200. I have to open vents in order to get the temp up. Plus the fan blowing nonstop seems to be blowing ashes around which tend to get on the food. There is plenty of briquettes in the smoker, so it's not running out of fuel. And if I have to mess with the vents, what's the point in spending $$ on the DX2? Any suggestions? Maybe don't use the water pan? Very frustrating.

mep · 11-11-2013, 03:56 PM

It sounds to me like you are running out of fuel (charcoal) and the unit is trying to run to keep the fire going.

ccarter · 11-11-2013, 04:14 PM

It would sound like you're running out of fuel, except your post claims you have plenty of charcoal still available. I'm just taking a stab since I can't actually see your pit, but I'd have to say somehow you're having a significant airflow problem, and there's also a possibility of damp charcoal.

How far open is your top vent?
How far open is the dampner that's housed in the guru fan?
What kind of charcoal are you using?
Is that charcoal fresh?
Where do you store your charcoal?

Smokesignalsfromtx · 11-11-2013, 04:24 PM

^^^^^^what he said^^^^^^

IamMadMan · 11-11-2013, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunchde

I've had the 22.5 WSM with a DigiQ DX2 for a couple months. I'm having trouble keeping the pit up to temperature. During the last couple hours of the cook, the fan blasts non stop and temps stay below 200. I have to open vents in order to get the temp up. Plus the fan blowing nonstop seems to be blowing ashes around which tend to get on the food. There is plenty of briquettes in the smoker, so it's not running out of fuel. And if I have to mess with the vents, what's the point in spending $$ on the DX2? Any suggestions? Maybe don't use the water pan? Very frustrating.

If the fan is running constantly then you are having problems producing heat, maybe there is an air flow issue, maybe the charcoal is burning out losing the ability to produce heat, or maybe the charcoal is damp as "ccarter" suggested.

With the BBQ Guru DX2 there is no need to adjust the intake vents, in fact opening them would be counter-productive to the cook. Your top vent should always be open and once at the set temperature the fan will pulse for a moment but not run continually.

Keep in mind that briquettes do produce much more ash than lump charcoal. Once you have your charcoal loaded light a large handful of charcoal in the chimney and dump in center of the unlit charcoal with your scattered wood chunks. The charcoal will burn outward keeping an even burn and consistent temperature.

I have a much larger cooker and an 8 pound load of charcoal will burn for 14+ hours maintaining perfect temperatures. It should be no problem for the WSM to do the same.

.

MilitantSquatter · 11-11-2013, 06:29 PM

if you have too much ash buildup, sometimes just giving one of a legs a medium tap with your foot or a gentle stir will help....

Also, not sure what CFM fan you have, but try it with a very small opening on the slide so it pumps air in short bursts for long periods... If it's too open you also run the risk of letting to much cold air into the fire...

ajstrider · 11-11-2013, 06:55 PM

I am not exactly sure what the problem is but as someone stated above, opening another air intake is counter productive.

bunchde · 11-16-2013, 07:42 AM

OK, I'm an idiot. Thanks for the posts. One of them made me realize there is a damper in the fan. I checked it and it was essentially closed. Went back and looked at the owener's manual and now see for my smoker it probably needs to be 1/2 open. Can't wait to try it again!

BASSER · 11-16-2013, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunchde

OK, I'm an idiot. Thanks for the posts. One of them made me realize there is a damper in the fan. I checked it and it was essentially closed. Went back and looked at the owener's manual and now see for my smoker it probably needs to be 1/2 open. Can't wait to try it again!

s**t happens

ajstrider · 11-16-2013, 10:42 AM

Yup, damper will get you every time!

IamMadMan · 11-16-2013, 11:33 AM

Glad you found the problem...

11-11-2013, 03:07 PM	#1
bunchde Got rid of the matchlight. Join Date: 08-24-13 Location: Bethesda, MD	Help with DigiQ DX2 I've had the 22.5 WSM with a DigiQ DX2 for a couple months. I'm having trouble keeping the pit up to temperature. During the last couple hours of the cook, the fan blasts non stop and temps stay below 200. I have to open vents in order to get the temp up. Plus the fan blowing nonstop seems to be blowing ashes around which tend to get on the food. There is plenty of briquettes in the smoker, so it's not running out of fuel. And if I have to mess with the vents, what's the point in spending $$ on the DX2? Any suggestions? Maybe don't use the water pan? Very frustrating.

11-11-2013, 03:56 PM	#2
mep Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 06-11-13 Location: Kansas City, MO	It sounds to me like you are running out of fuel (charcoal) and the unit is trying to run to keep the fire going. __________________ Assassin Smoker; Large BGE; Char-Broil Gasser; Black Thermapen; Looftlighter; KCBS CBJ

11-11-2013, 04:14 PM	#3
ccarter Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-05-12 Location: Acworth, GA	It would sound like you're running out of fuel, except your post claims you have plenty of charcoal still available. I'm just taking a stab since I can't actually see your pit, but I'd have to say somehow you're having a significant airflow problem, and there's also a possibility of damp charcoal. How far open is your top vent? How far open is the dampner that's housed in the guru fan? What kind of charcoal are you using? Is that charcoal fresh? Where do you store your charcoal? __________________ 18.5" WSM, Large BGE, Backwoods Party [COLOR="Blue"]Blue[/COLOR] BBQGuru DigiQ DX2 [COLOR="Blue"]Blue[/COLOR] Superfast Thermapen

11-11-2013, 06:29 PM	#6
MilitantSquatter Moderator Join Date: 09-17-05 Location: Mooresville, NC	if you have too much ash buildup, sometimes just giving one of a legs a medium tap with your foot or a gentle stir will help.... Also, not sure what CFM fan you have, but try it with a very small opening on the slide so it pumps air in short bursts for long periods... If it's too open you also run the risk of letting to much cold air into the fire... __________________ XL BGE (#2) & Performer Platinum Former owner: Jambo Backyard, Klose BYC, Lonestar Vertical offset w/ Insulated Firebox, Medium Spicewine, Pitts & Spitts, XL BGE (#1) & (2) Medium BGE's, 22" WSM & (2) 18" WSM's, 18" & 22" Weber Kettles

11-11-2013, 06:55 PM	#7
ajstrider is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 09-02-12 Location: Kentucky	I am not exactly sure what the problem is but as someone stated above, opening another air intake is counter productive. __________________ Weber Summit Charcoal Grill and 22” WSM. Former user of pellet grills and XL BGE

11-11-2013, 04:24 PM	#4
Smokesignalsfromtx is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 07-29-13 Location: Fort Worth, Tx	^^^^^^what he said^^^^^^

11-16-2013, 07:42 AM	#8
bunchde Got rid of the matchlight. Join Date: 08-24-13 Location: Bethesda, MD	OK, I'm an idiot. Thanks for the posts. One of them made me realize there is a damper in the fan. I checked it and it was essentially closed. Went back and looked at the owener's manual and now see for my smoker it probably needs to be 1/2 open. Can't wait to try it again!

11-16-2013, 10:42 AM	#10
ajstrider is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 09-02-12 Location: Kentucky	Yup, damper will get you every time! __________________ Weber Summit Charcoal Grill and 22” WSM. Former user of pellet grills and XL BGE

11-16-2013, 11:33 AM	#11
IamMadMan somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-30-11 Location: Pemberton, New Jersey	Glad you found the problem...