Michael L.
TVWBB Fan
Got my brand new Blue Performer this week.
Did a non cooking test burn just to monitor the temp reaction. I wanted to see how many hours one chimney of charcoal would steadily hold low temps for.
I was hoping to witness locking the temp somewhere between 225 - 275.
I normally cook with Kingsford, so that's what I used. I'm familiar with it.
I loaded one full chimney of unlit coals and pushed to one side. I used the charcoal baskets that came with the grill, not filled with charcoal, but flipped around and I used the flat side as a charcoal rail.
Then I flipped my chimney upside down and lit 12 briquettes to grey ash and sprinkled them evenly over the top of the unlit coals.
Oh, and I foiled the bottom grate except for the section under the coals.
Left the top and bottom vents wide open, and put the lid on with just about 1/2" cracked open. Used the maverick therm to monitor the cooking grate directly under the hood therm.
No water, no bricks, no clay. Just the grill, the probe, the coals, and the foil. No food.
I watched the temp rise to 200 then closed the lid snuggly, close the bottom vent completely and closed the top exhaust vent to 50%. Then I watched the temp, and hoped to see it slow and lock in place somewhere between 225 and 275. I was even half expecting a spike and then settling back down.
No such luck on either. with eveything closed completely except for the top exhaust vent (at 50%)I watched the temp rise, and rise, and rise... and keep rising and finally I stopped watching at 375.
Overall.. I'm not too worried about it. Here is my theory as to the reason(s).
1.) I think I lit too many coals to start with.
2.) I think I gave it too much air, and subsequently too much momentum for it to stop at 200.
3.) It's brand new and hasn't built any "insulation" in the kettle yet.
4.) I might have waited to long before I shut it down.
My planned corrections:
1.) Fewer lit coals to start with. I'll use 8 instead of 12.
2.) I'm tempted to alter the bottom vent and/or the lid cracking. But... maybe I'll do that on burn #3 if I need it.
3.) I'll start choking the fire sooner. Around 175 or so.
I think the first burn was like going 80 miles and hour, then slamming on the brakes and trying to stop in 40 feet.
This way... I'll reduce my approach speed, and I'll also give move "breaking distance" to hit my target.
Did a non cooking test burn just to monitor the temp reaction. I wanted to see how many hours one chimney of charcoal would steadily hold low temps for.
I was hoping to witness locking the temp somewhere between 225 - 275.
I normally cook with Kingsford, so that's what I used. I'm familiar with it.
I loaded one full chimney of unlit coals and pushed to one side. I used the charcoal baskets that came with the grill, not filled with charcoal, but flipped around and I used the flat side as a charcoal rail.
Then I flipped my chimney upside down and lit 12 briquettes to grey ash and sprinkled them evenly over the top of the unlit coals.
Oh, and I foiled the bottom grate except for the section under the coals.
Left the top and bottom vents wide open, and put the lid on with just about 1/2" cracked open. Used the maverick therm to monitor the cooking grate directly under the hood therm.
No water, no bricks, no clay. Just the grill, the probe, the coals, and the foil. No food.
I watched the temp rise to 200 then closed the lid snuggly, close the bottom vent completely and closed the top exhaust vent to 50%. Then I watched the temp, and hoped to see it slow and lock in place somewhere between 225 and 275. I was even half expecting a spike and then settling back down.
No such luck on either. with eveything closed completely except for the top exhaust vent (at 50%)I watched the temp rise, and rise, and rise... and keep rising and finally I stopped watching at 375.
Overall.. I'm not too worried about it. Here is my theory as to the reason(s).
1.) I think I lit too many coals to start with.
2.) I think I gave it too much air, and subsequently too much momentum for it to stop at 200.
3.) It's brand new and hasn't built any "insulation" in the kettle yet.
4.) I might have waited to long before I shut it down.
My planned corrections:
1.) Fewer lit coals to start with. I'll use 8 instead of 12.
2.) I'm tempted to alter the bottom vent and/or the lid cracking. But... maybe I'll do that on burn #3 if I need it.
3.) I'll start choking the fire sooner. Around 175 or so.
I think the first burn was like going 80 miles and hour, then slamming on the brakes and trying to stop in 40 feet.
This way... I'll reduce my approach speed, and I'll also give move "breaking distance" to hit my target.
