Dry Run

This is a time line and temps on the smoker.

9:15 set up charcoal basket with 10 - 12lbs of Kingsford original briquiets and about 5 pecan chunks.
started the coals by the minion method about 12 coals ashed over into the center of the basket.
Also started with all three intakes open (two have pipe caps and one with a valve).
9:25 200* capped off one intake , set valve @ 1/2 open
9:55 running @ 240*, one intake open , valve @ 1/2 open
10:02 245* climbing slow, cut back valve to 1/3
10:15 253* cut back valve to 1/4
10:30 250* left alone
10:55 255* closed valve
11:15 165* capped 2nd intake set valve @ 2/3
11:30 225* Opened one intake and reset valve to 1/2
12:20 250* 1 open valve @ 1/2
12:30 250* trying something 2 capped valve @ wide open
12:55 225* I intake open valve @ 1/4
1:25 250* 1 open closed valve to 1/8 approx
1:40 245* :)
2:14 240* :)
2:45 235* opened valve a touch
3:40 230* again opened valve to prob 1/4 shook coal basket for ash build up
4:00 225* small adj on valve
4:25 230* :)
4:51 240* small touch on valve
5:40 240* :)
6:15 220* ? opened valve (getting shady)
7:00 225* opened valve to 1/2
8:20 233* left alone
9:00 238* shut it down.

I burned about 2/3 rds of the charcoal ... I'm saving the un-burned to reuse. This this seems to very efficient and a steady temp run.
I guess it'll take a little playing with to really find a sweet spot setting to be able to run all night.

That was a dry run and never having had a UDS before I really didn't know what to expect. A few days later we did two racks of ribs,, set the ball valve @ 1/3 and 1 capo open and it ran @ 225 for 6 hours steady.

bustintires said:

wow man. dont over-think it. throw some pork in it and let it go. youll be suprised how much more stable it is when loaded

Click to expand...

Agreed ... lot better than a dry run. Don't ask why just do it.