GMG help

[winsa12]

I currently have a brisket on my DB Choice and have a question that I hope someone might have experience with already. I set it to 225 and set up a probe hovering over the edge of the brisket. The temp fluctuated as assumed 10-20ish degrees, but it fluctuates primarily between 240 and 250. I dropped the temperature to 215 and it still fluctuates between 240 and 250. Is there any tricks to getting the temp to drop?

 

[radio]

Are you using the DB probe, or a another unit such as a Maverick? MY GMG Daniel Boone fluctuates 10-15 degrees as new pellets are augered in. I do not trust the GMG probe and always use my Maverick to monitor chamber and meat temps.
My guess is the mass of the meat is affecting the temp readings with the probe being so close to the meat.
Another thing that I found that creates temp swings is the position of the deflector that sets above the burn pot. I had to play with the positioning of mine until I got the temps somewhat even from one end to the other and it also helped tame the swings. Once I found the sweet spot, I actually cut a piece of copper to use as a gauge when repositioning the deflector after cleaning the burn pot so it goes back in the same spot every time

 

[winsa12]

I was using a different probe, but it’s not a ambient temp probe. That’s probably throwing my data off.

I ended up making the decision to pull the meat out and reset the deflector. It seems that is helping. I also cleaned the GMG probe. We will see how it does for the rest of the cook.

 

[oonighttrain]

let us know how your brisket turns out. ive been having temp issues with my DB also.. tried two so far and both sucked.. im thinking it has to do with the temp fluctuations.. im currently waiting for GMG to send me a new controller which they claim will help.

 

[radio]

I find that the fan in my Daniel Boone circulating the heated air can dry out things a bit too much for my liking. When doing a long cook like brisket or pork butt, I start them in my stick burner until they hit 160-170° or so, then wrap and put in the pellet grill basically using it as an oven in the summer to keep from heating up the kitchen. I have a pellet heating stove and buy premium pellets with nothing but white oak which I burn in the pellet grill when I am cooking something foiled. I have noticed that my heating pellets actually leave less ash residue in the burn pot than the GMG or Pitt Boss cooking pellets!

 

[ostrichsak]

FWIW 10-20 temp fluctuations aren't anything to stress about.

 

[winsa12]

FWIW 10-20 temp fluctuations aren't anything to stress about.

Stress no, but if I set the temp to 225 and it runs at 250, then I set the temp at 215 and it still runs at 250- seems a little odd and like something isn’t working correctly. If it was set at 225 and it went from 220 to 240 you wouldn’t have known I was smoking something Saturday.

The brisket came out very good, but we are pretty sure we inadvertently followed the hot and fast method. I think it was on there for 6 hours. We let it rest for 3 more. Full packer 14 lb (before trimming) Prime from Costco. And I had the grill set at 150 for at least an hour in the middle. When it was set at 150 I threw a bowl of water in for 15/20 minutes and it was gently boiling as it sat in the back right (exhaust) corner.

I was generally trying to figure out if anyone had similar issues and what they did to fix it. I guess I’ll find a thermoworks and run some tests, maybe recalibrate. Maybe I’ll pull my thermodynamics book out too.

 

[ostrichsak]

Water shouldn't be boiling obviously. That's going to be 212 degrees if you're at sea level which, to me, would be too much variance at 150 degrees. Especially sustained long enough to boil water.

I would read the forums about moving the main box as I ended up having to shift mine all the way to the right side of the smoker and I also had to adjust the exhaust cap. I think they want like 2" of clearance or about enough to fit two stacked fingers in between. I believe these two things helped me get more consistent and stable temps but I've also been through several controllers so you will likely have to get customer service involved as well and don't be surprised if they verify you have the latest firmware (which you should) and then send a replacement controller.

I love my GMG but I've had an awful lot of issues over the years. To the point where I can no longer recommend them to friends in the market for a smoker which is sad because I really want to love it. The customer service is solid but, in the end, when you need them as often as I've needed them it doesn't matter how good that is.

 

[Desjardo]

Use the calibration in the app - Grill Options.
Mine was out 10 degrees at 220.
I used 4 thermometers and adjusted heatshield until even.
Then I calibrated and it is now bang on.
You need to adjust display and actual temp.

 

[oonighttrain]

Use the calibration in the app - Grill Options.
Mine was out 10 degrees at 220.
I used 4 thermometers and adjusted heatshield until even.
Then I calibrated and it is now bang on.
You need to adjust display and actual temp.

did you have temp fluctuations before adjusting? and what do youi mean by heatshield being even? thanks

 

[Desjardo]

did you have temp fluctuations before adjusting? and what do youi mean by heatshield being even? thanks

Well any smoker will fluctuate.
I did not have major issues.

But if the Temp at grill is not the same as temp on display things will not work out.

I adjusted heat shield until all 4 thermometers read the same. Then set app so it was running grill at temp i wanted. Set at 220 I was running 200.

Now at 220 it is 220 and reads 220. And is bang on at 475.

 

[oonighttrain]

The problem i am having is my db will fluctuate by 30-40 degrees within less than 15 minutes.. in other words, if i have it set at 250, it will fluctuate from 220 to 250 constantly.

 

[Desjardo]

Yes.
Are you using prototype software? Newest firmware update?
And calibration should be done as it may help.

Should be calibrated before cooking anyway.

 

[oonighttrain]

i called GMG last friday to have them walk me through it.. my controller wouldnt connect to my modem so, they are sending a new controller. my grill is 2 weeks old.. urgh.