Temp Swings on my 075

[Plowboy]

This is probably most interesting to Q_Egg, so I hope he sees it.

I was up early today to get beans and ribs on for wife's Christmas party at work (but that's another thread). Put everything on at 5:45a and have been sitting here with my remote thermometer watching my pit temp from the recliner. I set it to 180 to start with some good smoke in the pit. I find the lower temps produce more smoke in the pellet cookers. So I start low and then move it up to 250.

I'm noticing a swing of 80 degrees top to bottom. I know my readings are right because I tested it in boiling water against intant reads and the temp on the digital controller on my pit has the exact same reading. At 180 setting on the controller, I peak at 243, then gradually drop down to 163, then swing back up quickly (2-3 minutes) to 243. The process starts over with gradual decline and rapid rise.

So I understand what the cookers doing with the rise and fall. It has to do with the entry of fresh fuel (pellets) into the fire ring. I'm just surprised by the range.

 

[FatDaddy]

is there anyway to adjust the rate at which the pellets drop?

 

[Plowboy]

is there anyway to adjust the rate at which the pellets drop?

Its all managed by a digital temp controller which runs the auger speed and forced air. I'm wondering if the brand of pellets makes a difference. I'm using CHEAP oak fuel pellets (which might not be such a good idea, but dang they are cheap, I'll probably change that). Maybe I'll try another brand and see what happens.

 

[FatDaddy]

ahh, yea the cheap ones might have more filler in them which might not burn as hot. are they different in size compared to the more expensive ones? Ive never used a pellet burner but after reading Yours and Qeggs post they seem interesting.

 

[Plowboy]

ahh, yea the cheap ones might have more filler in them which might not burn as hot. are they different in size compared to the more expensive ones? Ive never used a pellet burner but after reading Yours and Qeggs post they seem interesting.

I suspect that, too. They are different in size (larger) than the Traeger pellets. I've not tried anything else.

 

[TygerSmokes]

Plowboy,

I had a similar problem when I first started using my Traeger back in the spring. What seemed to remedy the situation was starting at a higher temperature (325) for 10-15 minutes and dropping down to the 250 setting.

I don't believe the introduction of fresh pellets is the cause of the problem, otherwise you would see the same variation at other temperature settings. For me, the 180 settings has always been problematic at best. I've seen the wide temperature swings only at this setting, with me getting best results at the 250 setting.

 

[Plowboy]

Plowboy,

I had a similar problem when I first started using my Traeger back in the spring. What seemed to remedy the situation was starting at a higher temperature (325) for 10-15 minutes and dropping down to the 250 setting.

I don't believe the introduction of fresh pellets is the cause of the problem, otherwise you would see the same variation at other temperature settings. For me, the 180 settings has always been problematic at best. I've seen the wide temperature swings only at this setting, with me getting best results at the 250 setting.

Thanks. I do start high and then come down. To start my cooker, I crank it to the very top of the dial. I can come back in 5-10 minutes and i'm up to 300. That is one of the things I love about these cookers. You don't have to fark around waiting 30-45 minutes for your coals to be ready. I can be cooking in minutes.

What affect does ash build up seem to have for you? Burn more fuel? Do you have a rule of thumb for how often you clean your ash out? Maybe after so many hours of cooking?

 

[Plowboy]

Hmmmm... Now the range is 190-249. I can live with that. The 225 setting jumps as high as 280 I think. Something I need to monitor more to get the full understanding.

 

[TygerSmokes]

I let mine run at a higher temperature a little long before I drop down, so I don't get a big dropout when I place my meats in the smoker.

What affect does ash build up seem to have for you? Burn more fuel? Do you have a rule of thumb for how often you clean your ash out? Maybe after so many hours of cooking?

I get very little ash. So, I vacuum out my firebox about once every 3 times I smoke. If you clean it out every other time you smoke you should be OK.

 

[Q_Egg]

Hmmmm... I note the same thing, but seems to be much more swing now that cold ambient temps have arrived. My Traeger is older and has the original 1 rpm motor. Your newer models have a slightly higher rpm motor to allow higher max temps by pushing more pellets to the firepot. I too am seeing higher dial thermometer temps (near the stack) than earlier. One thing that would be interesting to know is how much 'rotational' (end-to-end) convection flow there is as the fan pushes air from one end faster than the stack can exhaust it. That would push hot air back toward the temp probe (at the other end) used by the controller. I have used only Traeger pellets to start and then Branch Creek recently. Since pellets are a major issue in this process, it will be important to pay attention to any consistent differences (if any) in how these different pellets burn. Many variables too, as different woods and blends are used and ambient temps change.

"One test is worth ........"

 

[Arlin_MacRae]

I wonder if the controllers are slow to react to a faster cold-weather temperature drop and therefore switch the system into high gear to compensate. Then the temperature rises really fast and spikes before the controller shuts it off...? I would think you'd see this every winter, though, but the per-pellet energy differences between good and cheap pellets might factor in, too. <scratches head>

 

[DeanC]

While I don't know exactly how the Traeger works, the reason I was given for the temp variation in my FE was the forced air fan. It does not slow down as it approaches the target temperature, therefore it will often blow past 180 and end up in the 220 range after a pellet dump. This was supposed to be solved with the new IQ controllers which employ a multi-speed fan that is supposed to slow down when it approaches the target temp. Then again, I am sure some of it lies in ambient temps, some of it lies in pellets, etc. The "smoke" setting on my FE does not work well in the cold. Under normal conditions it functions at around 100 to 120. It struggled to get past 70 a couple of weeks ago. If it is windy the fire will actually blow out on smoke.

 

[Q_Egg]

... really good to hear your comments since they seem to indicate some similar performance characteristics with a very different pellet cooker. Since there are many FEC posters here, I feel I can add their comments to my Traeger 'database' with more confidence. I wonder if Traeger has this multi-speed fan on their comaprably priced cookers ... or is consdiering it.

Thanks for the post.

 

[HoDeDo]

I've never cooked on the Traeger, but the FEC's you typically have a temp difference of 20-30 degrees between your top and bottom racks ( the probe/limiter sits under the second rack) and typically the temp follows a cycle similar to how you have seen it. I used to really question that... and at one point, had a thermometer on every shelf and watched temp across the cooker in 10 min intervals over a cook... I've found that it doesnt effect the end product... but is very interesting.

I have to agree with Arlin - where the traegers aren't double walled like the FEC's - I think you would see the temps spiking to try to compensate( or going in underneath by the fan area.)

In general however, the pit temps seem to travel the 40 degree swing in the FEC I use in all cases. 180 will cook as hot as 225 and 250 gets darn near 300 during some parts of the cook, per my remote probes.

Having used a guru on my Kingfisher... it didnt have a multispeed fan... but it did feather the fan on and off as it arrived at temp... and then maintained it in that fashion. Only using full speed and fan during the ramp up period. That maintained very consistent temps. I bet a multispeed fan in the FEC's traegers would have that same effect. IT would likely change the amount of smoke from the pellets too....

 

[The_Kapn]

Anyone ever check the temp swings in their oven?
I did.
Interesting, to say the least.

6 y/o Kennmore residential electric oven.
Taylor probe through onion in middle of oven.
Digital temp control set to 250 F.
Room Temp 71 F.
Relative Humidity (per Weather Channel) about 58% at airport.
Astrological conditions, unknown. :lol:

Max temp range was 281-286 F.
Temp fell to 222-227 in 7 to 8 minutes.
Returned to max in 1.5 to 2 minutes.
Averaged about a 60 degree swing on a 9 to 10 minute cycle.

Can't wait to get my FEC!

Just FWIW :lol:

TIM

 

[Q_Egg]

... nice effort and interesting results! Got to love the double-insulated cookers ... (and the high thermal mass ones too :wink.

 

[Arlin_MacRae]

Wow, Tim, that's a lot less precise than I would have figured...

 

[The_Kapn]

Wow, Tim, that's a lot less precise than I would have figured...

Me too.

I first did this about a year ago when I was stressing over temp control.
A couple of old pros told me to quit worrying and to check my oven for comparison.
I did the test and quit micromanaging my cooker temps on the spot.

That is why I post temps on the forum in terms of "mid 200's" or "Low 300's".
The meat really does not care!

Just re-did the test today to get accurate numbers.

Anyway, the oven makes my WSM and Dera seem like "precision cooking machines". :lol:

TIM

 

[Arlin_MacRae]

So basically black steel, wood and fire triumph over porcelain, calrod and electricity! Right on!

 

[qman]

Kapn, my Magic Chef gas oven has temp swing about like you are reporting. I did a test several years ago-my range is about12 years old.

The results of that test led to permission from my bride to get a Convection oven.:mrgreen:
That is where I do most of my baking where temp control is important.