For the past 12 months, I've noticed a clear downward trend in temperatures on my WSM. I'm curious if anyone has suggestions for how to fix the problem.
I have gone through several cheap thermometers. I check them in boiling water before I smoke anything. I toss them out when they are off by more than 15 degrees.
I followed the instructions for the self-basting turkey. I fired up the WSM with 2 full chimneys of Kingsford.
When I first did a turkey (11/2003), the temperature started at 380, then dropped to 350. I started with the vents at 50% , and opened them wider as the temperature dropped. The temperature slowly decreased to 330. The turkey took 2.5 hours to reach 155 degrees in the breast.
The next time was 04/2004. The temperature started at 300. I started with the vents at 100% . The temperature stayed level at 300 for the entire cook. The turkey took 3 hours to reach 155 degrees in the breast.
The next time was 06/2004. The temperature started at 280, then dropped to 270. I started with the vents at 100%. The temperature slowly increased to 290. The turkey took 3 hours to reach 155 degrees in the breast.
The last time was 11/2004. The temperature started at 300, then dropped to 275. I started with the vents at 100%. The temperature slowly decreased to 250 and remained there. The turkey took 3.5 hours to reach 155 degrees in the breast.
I have gone through several cheap thermometers. I check them in boiling water before I smoke anything. I toss them out when they are off by more than 15 degrees.
I followed the instructions for the self-basting turkey. I fired up the WSM with 2 full chimneys of Kingsford.
When I first did a turkey (11/2003), the temperature started at 380, then dropped to 350. I started with the vents at 50% , and opened them wider as the temperature dropped. The temperature slowly decreased to 330. The turkey took 2.5 hours to reach 155 degrees in the breast.
The next time was 04/2004. The temperature started at 300. I started with the vents at 100% . The temperature stayed level at 300 for the entire cook. The turkey took 3 hours to reach 155 degrees in the breast.
The next time was 06/2004. The temperature started at 280, then dropped to 270. I started with the vents at 100%. The temperature slowly increased to 290. The turkey took 3 hours to reach 155 degrees in the breast.
The last time was 11/2004. The temperature started at 300, then dropped to 275. I started with the vents at 100%. The temperature slowly decreased to 250 and remained there. The turkey took 3.5 hours to reach 155 degrees in the breast.