2nd high heat ribs "problem"

[Kerim R.]

This is my second high heat rib cook. Got the pan in place, foiled, nothing else in it. Got temps up to ~300, then 3 racks of ribs went in. Temps dropped to ~230-235 and wouldn't come up. I put the door on upside down, I stirred the coals, nothing. And I was running short on time. So on each occasion I took the pan out, and immediately temps shot up to ~350-375. I smelled a burning plastic type smell (not too bad) each time. The first cook, the ribs had a darker color, almost blackish, but were fantastic. The second cook is on right now.

Just wondering why the big difference with an empty pan in vs out.

 

[Dan H.]

well.... that is a bit strange but I guess you could have possibly increased your flow of air just enough to get temps to rise again by taking the pan out... not sure though cause that really shouldn't have been the case especially if your pan was empty... hmm. I used to get kind of aggervated at temps. not coming up w/ a loaded cooker and I guess I learned to just tilt the fuel door, max out the vents and be patient. Seems to eventually come up to wherever I like it sooner or later.. sometimes later if its really full of food and natural heat sinks like.. well.. any meat and esp. a big pan of beans etc.