I didn't expect this

Babyboomerboy · 03-09-2010, 09:02 AM

I just fired up the UDS so we could have some pork butt this evening. After I lit the basket and ran my two probes into the drum, I put the grate on and spread the probes out to opposite sides. The wind is really blowing here in Kansas today, (whats new), so that is probably the reason that the probes read 10 degrees different while heating up. I just didn't expect to see that much difference in such a small space as a drum. I've used this drum a bunch the last 6 months or so and air leaks are pretty much eliminated. Does this seem right?

thirdeye · 03-09-2010, 10:30 AM

That's not bad at all. I notice quite a difference between an edge reading (like I get from my thermometer mounted on the drum) to a center reading. I can see a temp difference in the windward and leeward side of the pit too. Some folks rig up a wind block for their drums when cooking in the winter.

Bear in mind you will get different readings after the pit is loaded, and how it is loaded too. I like to monitor the temp close to the center of the grate, about 2 or 3 inches above the meat. And to balance out the hot spots I may have on an edge, I will rotate my grate during the cook. Rotation is especially helpful when balancing out the doneness of chicken.

N8man · 03-09-2010, 11:23 AM

Here's something else to watch for while you're cooking...
I've had meat register 10 degrees apart
across the Drumpit
Rotating the cooking grate is a must...

Nick@ParkAQ · 03-10-2010, 11:16 AM

Yep. When we BBQ specially on the beach the temp fluctuations more drastic so in days of high wind if we want steady temps a 3 sided windbreaker helps reduce the effect but I find it easier to gauge the wind direction and cook with that in mind. In the wind, smoking like golfing can be - a challenge.

jonboy · 03-10-2010, 11:27 AM

Has anyone developed a rotating grate? Something like a turntable that spins.
Maybe i should pm this to the rib olator guy. I think it would help to even out the hot and cold spots.
jon

Nick@ParkAQ · 03-10-2010, 12:00 PM

Interesting. Wer'e testing a version soon. Were named it the Turn-A-Q. If you're interested we'll keep you posted.

Park it. Grill it! Eat it!

jeffjenkins1 · 03-10-2010, 12:17 PM

I have four intakes and six exhaust holes space evenly. I cook with all four intakes about 1/2 open. No problems side to side, however, the middle to edge temps do differ.

Jeff

03-09-2010, 09:02 AM	#1
Babyboomerboy is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 10-28-08 Location: Frontenac, Kansas	I didn't expect this I just fired up the UDS so we could have some pork butt this evening. After I lit the basket and ran my two probes into the drum, I put the grate on and spread the probes out to opposite sides. The wind is really blowing here in Kansas today, (whats new), so that is probably the reason that the probes read 10 degrees different while heating up. I just didn't expect to see that much difference in such a small space as a drum. I've used this drum a bunch the last 6 months or so and air leaks are pretty much eliminated. Does this seem right? __________________ CBJ #31626 UDS Lots of Weber Grills Traeger Texas Pellet Grill My cooking blog [URL]http://babyboomerboyscookinblog.blogspot.com/[/URL]

03-09-2010, 10:30 AM	#2
thirdeye somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 01-14-06 Location: At home on the range in Wyoming	That's not bad at all. I notice quite a difference between an edge reading (like I get from my thermometer mounted on the drum) to a center reading. I can see a temp difference in the windward and leeward side of the pit too. Some folks rig up a wind block for their drums when cooking in the winter. Bear in mind you will get different readings after the pit is loaded, and how it is loaded too. I like to monitor the temp close to the center of the grate, about 2 or 3 inches above the meat. And to balance out the hot spots I may have on an edge, I will rotate my grate during the cook. Rotation is especially helpful when balancing out the doneness of chicken. __________________ ~thirdeye~ I Play With Fire and Smoke *Barbecuist ~ Charcuterist ~ KCBS Master Judge & CTC* Big Green Eggs, Big Drum Smokers, Big Chiefs, Weber Smokey Joe "Custom Tall Boy" Oil Patch Horizontal, SnS Deluxe Kettle Visit my Cookin' Site by clicking HERE Barbecue is not rocket surgery “The problem with quotes on the Internet is that it's hard to verify their authenticity” ~ Abraham Lincoln

03-09-2010, 11:23 AM	#3
N8man Babbling Farker Join Date: 05-09-07 Location: God's Country Ossipee-Osceola NC	Here's something else to watch for while you're cooking... I've had meat register 10 degrees apart across the Drumpit Rotating the cooking grate is a must... __________________ N8man Average Joe Backyard Enthusiast How I Fire Up That Ugly DrumPit Smoker!!!!

03-10-2010, 11:16 AM	#4
Nick@ParkAQ Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 12-19-09 Location: Danville, CA	Yep. When we BBQ specially on the beach the temp fluctuations more drastic so in days of high wind if we want steady temps a 3 sided windbreaker helps reduce the effect but I find it easier to gauge the wind direction and cook with that in mind. In the wind, smoking like golfing can be - a challenge. __________________ ParkAQ Nick - Park it. Grill it! Eat It!

03-10-2010, 12:00 PM	#6
Nick@ParkAQ Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 12-19-09 Location: Danville, CA	Interesting. Wer'e testing a version soon. Were named it the Turn-A-Q. If you're interested we'll keep you posted. Park it. Grill it! Eat it! __________________ ParkAQ Nick - Park it. Grill it! Eat It!

03-10-2010, 11:27 AM	#5
jonboy is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 01-14-07 Location: Mount Washington, Kentucky	Has anyone developed a rotating grate? Something like a turntable that spins. Maybe i should pm this to the rib olator guy. I think it would help to even out the hot and cold spots. jon

03-10-2010, 12:17 PM	#7
jeffjenkins1 Babbling Farker Join Date: 03-01-08 Location: Akron, OH	I have four intakes and six exhaust holes space evenly. I cook with all four intakes about 1/2 open. No problems side to side, however, the middle to edge temps do differ. Jeff __________________ You do what you have to do, so you can do what you want to do! Ole Hickory Ultra Que 2 18" WSM 18" Weber OTS Primo Oval XL NB American Gourmet offset smoker UDS Big Chief Smoker Turkey Fryer

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