I don't know what's wrong. I've never had a problem with it before. Last cook I did was a tri-tip. I always cook tris at 350. I usually put almost a full ring of charcoal in, light it by putting some charcoal lighter fluid on the whole thing, let the coals completely ash over, assemble and add 2 gals of water to the brinkman pan. Almost always my temp will go right to 450. Then, when I put the meat on, the heatsink will drop it down to 350 and it will stay there like a rock for the entire cook.
Well, my last tri it wouldn't stay there. As a matter of fact, it barely gets to 300. Same thing is happening tonight with my chicken.
1. I checked the temps with 2 thermometers...both within 1 degree of each other. So it's not the therm.
2. Bottom section is clean of ashes, and vents are 100% open and clear. I even cracked the door a little to allow more oxygen in after the temps wouldn't come up.
3. It is not cold here, actually 100 degrees.
4. Top vent is fully open.
5. I'm using kingsford charcoal, and the bag has been sitting open in a shed. But, I live in an extremely arid environment, so I highly doubt it picked up moisture.
All I can think of is that the charcoal has to be "bad" somehow. I don't know how, but it's all I can think of. Any other guesses?
Well, my last tri it wouldn't stay there. As a matter of fact, it barely gets to 300. Same thing is happening tonight with my chicken.
1. I checked the temps with 2 thermometers...both within 1 degree of each other. So it's not the therm.
2. Bottom section is clean of ashes, and vents are 100% open and clear. I even cracked the door a little to allow more oxygen in after the temps wouldn't come up.
3. It is not cold here, actually 100 degrees.
4. Top vent is fully open.
5. I'm using kingsford charcoal, and the bag has been sitting open in a shed. But, I live in an extremely arid environment, so I highly doubt it picked up moisture.
All I can think of is that the charcoal has to be "bad" somehow. I don't know how, but it's all I can think of. Any other guesses?
