Help!!!! Quick!!!

drewc · 02-08-2010, 09:54 AM

I have a problem!!! I have four pork shoulders on my smoker. Charbroil smoke n pit. I cannot get the temp to come up past 150 degrees. I have shut all the dampers and opened them up slightly again to see if I could get any change. Nothing. I put them in thinking it would come up soon, I have smoker box full of charcoal. Kingsford Original and RO Lump charcoal. I am trying RO Lump for the first time, I see where everyone is talking about it burning hotter. Since it is 33 degrees outside I figured I would need some to add in there. I just cannot get it to come up to at least 225 degrees. I really do not want to do these in the oven.

Thank you

drewc · 02-08-2010, 09:56 AM

It is also been over an hour and half now. Just cannot get it up to 225

Diver · 02-08-2010, 09:58 AM

How did you load the charcoal and how much coal? If minion type of load, how many lit coals did you start with? how certain are you that the thermometer is reading correctly? Did you load the meat before getting it to temp?

Pit Boss Honeycutt · 02-08-2010, 09:58 AM

Try placing a fan towards the inlet of the firebox. You will burn up the charcoal faster, but it should get the temp where you need it.

CajunSmoker · 02-08-2010, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drewc

I have a problem!!! I have four pork shoulders on my smoker. Charbroil smoke n pit. I cannot get the temp to come up past 150 degrees. I have shut all the dampers and opened them up slightly again to see if I could get any change. Nothing. I put them in thinking it would come up soon, I have smoker box full of charcoal. Kingsford Original and RO Lump charcoal. I am trying RO Lump for the first time, I see where everyone is talking about it burning hotter. Since it is 33 degrees outside I figured I would need some to add in there. I just cannot get it to come up to at least 225 degrees. I really do not want to do these in the oven.

Thank you

Open those dampers wide open and get some air to the fire. Like Pit Boss said try puttin a fan to the coals (hair dryers work). I'd pull the butts off till I got the fire under control just to be sure I didn't get a nasty taste off a smoldering fire.

drewc · 02-08-2010, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diver

How did you load the charcoal and how much coal? If minion type of load, how many lit coals did you start with? how certain are you that the thermometer is reading correctly? Did you load the meat before getting it to temp?

I confess this is my SERIOUS second year of smoking. I started out with two charcoal chimneys of charcoal. They were gray and ashed over. I wondered about the thermometer, but you can tell the inside of the smoker is not very hot. I have another themometer I will put in there when done typing this. Yes, I went ahead and put it in there and put some wood chips in it. I was thinking backup plan if I have to finish them in the oven at least I would have some smoke flavor????

drewc · 02-08-2010, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CajunSmoker

Open those dampers wide open and get some air to the fire. Like Pit Boss said try puttin a fan to the coals (hair dryers work). I'd pull the butts off till I got the fire under control just to be sure I didn't get a nasty taste off a smoldering fire.

How long can I leave them sitting out before I have to worry about it. I cant put them back in the fridge????

Arlin_MacRae · 02-08-2010, 10:09 AM

Is it windy out? If so, you might build a wind break around your intake or point it into the wind to make sure you've got a good air source. But I'd do like CajunSmoker recommended and yank the meat off and hit the coals with a hair dryer until you get clean heat.

Smokin' Gnome BBQ · 02-08-2010, 10:09 AM

I would 1st put a probe into the cooking chamber, the lid is gonna be off. if you have a roaring fire and your temps are still low, throw a blanket on the cooking chamber to try and insulate it..my brother tried cooking in 17 degrees this weekend on his WSM, after a couple of hours of his butts being in smoke, he wrapped an into the oven they went..

Diver · 02-08-2010, 10:11 AM

I agree with Cajunsmoker about the meat. Get the butts off till the fire is rightt or you will probably get an off taste from the acrid smoke.

I would get as much air to it as possible and probably use another chimney and pour it own while still on fire before it totally ashed over. Get enough air to it and the temps will rise. I brought the thermometer up because I found a bad one this weekend. Pitt was burning 40 degrees hotter than the reading.

drewc · 02-08-2010, 10:19 AM

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!! The fan and opening all the vents worked. I feel stupid, but I was stressing on my pig and I knew you guys would have the answer. I have been arguing with this thing for about two hours now.

THANK YOU AGAIN TO ALL OF YOU. I KNEW YOU WOULD HAVE THE ANSWER!!!!!!!

drewc · 02-08-2010, 10:32 AM

We are heading in the right direction now. You guys are AWESOME!!!!!

THANK YOU!!!!!

Arlin_MacRae · 02-08-2010, 10:50 AM

No need to feel stupid, brother - we've all been there.
The stupid guy is the one who doesn't ask and has to cook in the oven. ;)

drewc · 02-08-2010, 02:10 PM

LOL!!!!! I like that!!!! I will have to write that one down so I do not forget it.

BlkJeep · 02-08-2010, 02:32 PM

Update? how's things holding out? how's the shoulder's looking?

02-08-2010, 09:54 AM	#1
drewc On the road to being a farker Join Date: 05-03-09 Location: Bean Station, TN	Help!!!! Quick!!! I have a problem!!! I have four pork shoulders on my smoker. Charbroil smoke n pit. I cannot get the temp to come up past 150 degrees. I have shut all the dampers and opened them up slightly again to see if I could get any change. Nothing. I put them in thinking it would come up soon, I have smoker box full of charcoal. Kingsford Original and RO Lump charcoal. I am trying RO Lump for the first time, I see where everyone is talking about it burning hotter. Since it is 33 degrees outside I figured I would need some to add in there. I just cannot get it to come up to at least 225 degrees. I really do not want to do these in the oven. Thank you

02-08-2010, 09:58 AM	#3
Diver Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 03-12-09 Location: Currituck NC	How did you load the charcoal and how much coal? If minion type of load, how many lit coals did you start with? how certain are you that the thermometer is reading correctly? Did you load the meat before getting it to temp? __________________ [COLOR=red]The Soundside Smokers Competition Team[/COLOR] 2 UDS / 1 XL UDS / Chargriller Duo / 2 Weber Kettles / Masterbuilt / Home-made whole hog cooker

02-08-2010, 09:58 AM	#4
Pit Boss Honeycutt Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 11-09-09 Location: Murrieta,Ca	Try placing a fan towards the inlet of the firebox. You will burn up the charcoal faster, but it should get the temp where you need it. __________________ CG Outlaw & Mods,WK, Performer,16 year old Weber Gasser,UDS.

02-08-2010, 10:09 AM	#8
Arlin_MacRae somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 04-14-04 Location: Choctaw, OK	Is it windy out? If so, you might build a wind break around your intake or point it into the wind to make sure you've got a good air source. But I'd do like CajunSmoker recommended and yank the meat off and hit the coals with a hair dryer until you get clean heat. __________________ Arlin MacRae Primo Oval Junior, Traeger Model 075 Pellet Pooper, Big Chief, Kingfisher Kooker 14" gas/wood combo, PBC Brethren Edition, Pit Boss NASCAR Tailgater Home Brewer, Murderer of Squirrels, Armadillo Inspector Flaming Pig Head Mod Certified KCBS Master BBQ Judge

02-08-2010, 10:11 AM	#10
Diver Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 03-12-09 Location: Currituck NC	I agree with Cajunsmoker about the meat. Get the butts off till the fire is rightt or you will probably get an off taste from the acrid smoke. I would get as much air to it as possible and probably use another chimney and pour it own while still on fire before it totally ashed over. Get enough air to it and the temps will rise. I brought the thermometer up because I found a bad one this weekend. Pitt was burning 40 degrees hotter than the reading. __________________ [COLOR=red]The Soundside Smokers Competition Team[/COLOR] 2 UDS / 1 XL UDS / Chargriller Duo / 2 Weber Kettles / Masterbuilt / Home-made whole hog cooker

02-08-2010, 09:56 AM	#2
drewc On the road to being a farker Join Date: 05-03-09 Location: Bean Station, TN	It is also been over an hour and half now. Just cannot get it up to 225

02-08-2010, 10:09 AM	#9
Smokin' Gnome BBQ is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 05-31-07 Location: Shippensburg PA	I would 1st put a probe into the cooking chamber, the lid is gonna be off. if you have a roaring fire and your temps are still low, throw a blanket on the cooking chamber to try and insulate it..my brother tried cooking in 17 degrees this weekend on his WSM, after a couple of hours of his butts being in smoke, he wrapped an into the oven they went..

02-08-2010, 10:19 AM	#11
drewc On the road to being a farker Join Date: 05-03-09 Location: Bean Station, TN	THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!! The fan and opening all the vents worked. I feel stupid, but I was stressing on my pig and I knew you guys would have the answer. I have been arguing with this thing for about two hours now. THANK YOU AGAIN TO ALL OF YOU. I KNEW YOU WOULD HAVE THE ANSWER!!!!!!!

02-08-2010, 10:32 AM	#12
drewc On the road to being a farker Join Date: 05-03-09 Location: Bean Station, TN	We are heading in the right direction now. You guys are AWESOME!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!

02-08-2010, 10:50 AM	#13
Arlin_MacRae somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 04-14-04 Location: Choctaw, OK	No need to feel stupid, brother - we've all been there. The stupid guy is the one who doesn't ask and has to cook in the oven. ;) __________________ Arlin MacRae Primo Oval Junior, Traeger Model 075 Pellet Pooper, Big Chief, Kingfisher Kooker 14" gas/wood combo, PBC Brethren Edition, Pit Boss NASCAR Tailgater Home Brewer, Murderer of Squirrels, Armadillo Inspector Flaming Pig Head Mod Certified KCBS Master BBQ Judge

02-08-2010, 02:10 PM	#14
drewc On the road to being a farker Join Date: 05-03-09 Location: Bean Station, TN	LOL!!!!! I like that!!!! I will have to write that one down so I do not forget it.

02-08-2010, 02:32 PM	#15
BlkJeep is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 10-02-09 Location: Centralia, MO	Update? how's things holding out? how's the shoulder's looking? __________________ Jud 1-Weber Silver 22.5" 1-Jeep® UDS 1-Topless 22.5" Red Weber Kettle

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