RecTec 590 wont go above 180

[BrianGSDTexoma]

Getting ready to make my Over The Top Chili and and ABT's and cant get smoker over 180. It is 18 degrees out but I would think it should go to 225? Getting ready to shift gears and just do on the stove. Going to give it another 30 minutes.

 

[BrianGSDTexoma]

Well it finally made it and put food on. Looks like 225 going to be the max in cold weather. Should of added a smoke tube but just going with it. Let go a couple hours and bring inside to finish everything up.

 

[Rafter H BBQ]

Living in a colder climate, bump up your temp Brian. I’d roll between 275-300*

However, just a suggestion.

 

[Buckeye1]

I use my recteq in cold weather a lot.

Not sure which vintage of the 590 you have. But make sure the vents are clear, fire pot clean and good pellets. I’ve run my in sub zero temps

 

[BrianGSDTexoma]

I use my recteq in cold weather a lot.

Not sure which vintage of the 590 you have. But make sure the vents are clear, fire pot clean and good pellets. I’ve run my in sub zero temps

It had just had a good cleaning. Took a hour but got to 225 and held. Lucky we dont get these bitter cold to often.

 

[BrianGSDTexoma]

I use my recteq in cold weather a lot.

Not sure which vintage of the 590 you have. But make sure the vents are clear, fire pot clean and good pellets. I’ve run my in sub zero temps

I have the Recteq RT-590 Stampede bought in 2020. Meant to ask you how long it take you to heat up? I remember having trouble during cold spell last year and gave up. Took right at a hour to get to 225.

 

[jcam222]

Do you use a welding blanket to insulate it?

 

[BrianGSDTexoma]

Do you use a welding blanket to insulate it?

No. We dont get to much of that really cold weather often. After thinking about it I guess one hour not that bad to heat up. At the time is was a bit worried about it running flat out for that long. In my mind I was thinking hopper fire but I guess these are made to do it.

 

[Buckeye1]

I have the Trailblazer. It might take a few minutes longer. If it’s below 20 I put a blanket on it.

I also store in garage when not in use. I’m sure that helps because it’s a little warmer that way. Also pellets not exposed to rain or other moisture.

 

[Winterrider]

Yes ,that would be strange because I have used mine in -20°. Is your internal thermostat probe clean, that tends to goof mine up occasionally.

 

[sandyut]

Man I would call them. They stopped selling the cold weather blanket as it was "not needed" in their words. They will help you out.

Maybe check the min feed rate too and crank it up. I had to turn it down due to overheating at my old house as the smoker got too much sun and would always run way hot.

 

[sandyut]

Do you use a welding blanket to insulate it?

Or this. But I would shake them down first and see what they think.

 

[BrianGSDTexoma]

Yes ,that would be strange because I have used mine in -20°. Is your internal thermostat probe clean, that tends to goof mine up occasionally.

Yes the probe is clean and I also have one of my Inkbird probes right next to it. It is right on.

 

[BrianGSDTexoma]

Man I would call them. They stopped selling the cold weather blanket as it was "not needed" in their words. They will help you out.

Maybe check the min feed rate too and crank it up. I had to turn it down due to overheating at my old house as the smoker got too much sun and would always run way hot.

I sent them a message.

 

[sandyut]

I sent them a message.

Keep us posted brother!

 

[BrianGSDTexoma]

Keep us posted brother!

All they had to say is to get a blanket. No big deal as we dont have those low temps for to long around here.

 

[Winterrider]

Yes the probe is clean and I also have one of my Inkbird probes right next to it. It is right on.

Another thing to maybe check Brian, did that probe get accidentally knocked over a bit towards the sidewall (should be straight up and down, could try bend to inside slightly )? The heated metal close to the probe would tend to mess with temps slightly. Just a thought

 

[chopsaw]

No big deal as we dont have those low temps for to long around here.

Maybe . You'll find out when it warms up .
Something's not right in my opinion .
When's the last time you put an igniter in it ?
I'm running a Weber , but when it's slow to get to temp , it's usually a weak igniter .
Warmer weather it overflows the burn pot .

 

[civilsmoker]

Yea I think your hot rod is going out or your auger motor.... Hot rods go out all the time and are usually the issue, however, If your auger motor is running slow (a rusted rod or bad motor brush) that will cause it to not get temp either. If you are getting lots of smoke it could also be the fan (something blocking the flow). Something is wrong as it shouldn't have any issues getting to temp and shouldn't take an hour to do so.

 

[BrianGSDTexoma]

Maybe . You'll find out when it warms up .
Something's not right in my opinion .
When's the last time you put an igniter in it ?
I'm running a Weber , but when it's slow to get to temp , it's usually a weak igniter .
Warmer weather it overflows the burn pot .

Yea I think your hot rod is going out or your auger motor.... Hot rods go out all the time and are usually the issue, however, If your auger motor is running slow (a rusted rod or bad motor brush) that will cause it to not get temp either. If you are getting lots of smoke it could also be the fan (something blocking the flow). Something is wrong as it shouldn't have any issues getting to temp and shouldn't take an hour to do so.

It is 36 degrees out. I gave it a test run. Took about 30 minutes to get to 225. I had just gave smoker a good cleaning, scrapping and probably vacuum up some pellets from the auger.