Chargriller Pro with Side Fire Box Temp

[stealthc98]

I'm pretty new to smoking. In fact, I just smoked my first set of St Louis ribs this past weekend. They were amazing! I did notice an unevenness in the heat at the grate level. It could be the fact that most all of the surface area was covered and probably should have used a rib rack, but what do you guys recommend to keep an even temperature? I have a chargriller pro with the side fire box smoker.

 

[jake0531]

I have the pro as well. Unless you have tuning plates I've found that flipping the charcoal pan upside down and putting it at the top of the firebox vent seems to regulate temperatures at the grate decently. I've always found the hottest side and put the thickest part of the meat on that side and rotating throughout the duration of the cook.

 

[stealthc98]

Have you ever tried using a water pan with this setup?

 

[SmokinAl]

Have you ever tried using a water pan with this setup?

I don't have your smoker, I have a RF.

But I do put a pan of water on the firebox side to even out the grate temps.

Al

 

[stealthc98]

I'll give both of these methods a try and get back to you. Thanks for your help!

 

[jake0531]

I use a water pan with some of my smokes. If I do I usually put it on the top grate that's attached to the lid, just have to be careful when opening and closing so as not to spill. I've had better success putting it there since warm air rises I've noticed it regulates temps better that way vs on the grate with the meat or under the grates.

 

[geezer]

I'll give both of these methods a try and get back to you. Thanks for your help!

How big of temp swings were you seeing? 

 

[stealthc98]

I'm thinking it was about 20 ish degrees

 

[geezer]

I'm thinking it was about 20 ish degrees

Not that bad really, but as others have said a water pan helps a lot. Ideally a rock steady temp would be great, but it isn't going to happen on a long cook in the real world. 

Good luck with it. 

 

[stealthc98]

Yeah I had anticipated a temp difference I was just hoping there was a way to narrow the gap. I'll give these a try though and see how it goes.

 

[jake0531]

Also if you haven't done the mods such as adding the oven rope around the rim of the smoker to seal the air gap, or extending the smoke stack down to just above grate level you should check them out. I hear great results from people who have done this. I need to do them myself. It's on the project list but I got bigger fish to fry right now

 

[geezer]

Also if you haven't done the mods such as adding the oven rope around the rim of the smoker to seal the air gap, or extending the smoke stack down to just above grate level you should check them out. I hear great results from people who have done this. I need to do them myself. It's on the project list but I got bigger fish to fry right now

Yeah as much as is possible its good to be able to control any and all air intake/exhaust.