Huge Temperature Drop

[David Willis]

I'm trying to do my first briskets, second smoke overall. Have a question about the temperature. It was just over 225 (Midnight cook instructions BTW) so I put my two 10lb briskets in. Temp went down to around 175 after I finally got everything in and closed. Bottom vents all @ 100%, top vent fully open. It's been @ 175 for the last 15 minutes. Should I be worried or just patient...help!!!

 

[Jim Minion]

It takes a little time, the temp will come up and you will have to close down the bottom vents some. The top was off and you put in cold meat, it just takes some time.
Jim

 

[David Willis]

Thanks. It is up to 220-ish now. I think I may have put in too much wood 'cause when I moved a few pieces around, the coals underneath them started to really glow. A few minutes later, the temp really came back up....