ECB didn't get my butt hot enough

[graybeard]

Well, I dusted off my ECB Friday and smoked some ribs and a 5 pound butt. I smoked the butt for 8 hours but the temp only got to 185 degrees. When the butt hit 165 I wrapped it in foil but 185 is all I got. It looked great and tasted great but not sure why it didn't hit 205. The slab was dang near perfect as well. I only used 14 lbs of charcoal which is way better than 22+ pounds for my SFB smoker. Also, no mods done to my ECB, YET!
beard

 

[williamzanzinger]

Thats where the ECB becomes a liability, going the long haul. Follow plan B.

 

[flash]

Nope, ECB does just fine with Butts. Actually better than my GOSM. I can do 8 1/2 lbers in 7 1/2 hours on my ECB and reach close to 400º if it is wanted. (with mods)
More than likely you hit a plateau where the meat temp stalls for a bit. If you had left it alone, it would have moved eventually.
What temp was the smoker at?

 

[tn_bbq]

".....you hit a plateau"

I too agree. That plateau can really raise your stress level when trying to meet a firm deadline (neighbors, wife & kids expect to eat at exactly 6PM every day).

My good old ECB cooked a pretty good butt back in the day (2 years ago).

 

[walking dude]

William.........i have done 18 hour smokes on my ecb gourment............so where's the liability???????