Re: Help Temperature Control
kevanjc said:
The temp is running low. When I open the cook chamber damper it climbs rapidly and then as soon as I partially close it, the temp starts dropping just as rapidly.
I got a better fire by raising the fire grate about 4 inches and I drilled a 3/8 inch hole in the bottom center of the cook chamber to add a grease cup. No other modifications have been done.
I fed about a bag into the Bandera but I realize that it is because I don't know the smoker yet.
Smoke chamber damper, leave it wide open all the time. Its the fire grate that is your problem.
#1 modification is to buy/cut a piece of expanded steel and raise the fire grate up into the chamber. Cut the piece to fit the entire box, increasing your fire/coal bed size dramatically (20"and16")
#2 modification is to fashion a baffle to more evenly distribute the heat into the cook chamber.
Another mod, though not high on the list, is the use of the heat shield I mentioned earlier. Condense the chamber, to get more efficient.
Download the Bandera 101 file from the file section and look ad the mod pictures and files in the files and photo section too.
After these, and just a tiny bit of practice, you end up using half the amount of fuel and really increase your enjoyment.
I'm no expert, but the above helped me from the get go.
Good to have you aboard brother.