Temp Out of Control

[Major5511]

Have a Smokin-It Smoker Model #2D-Digital WiFi and all has been fine until today. Temp set at 225 and it continually goes to 233-237 with no input.
Any ideas what's going on?

 

[sandyut]

odd... may turn it off and back on? it can be a magical easy fix to simply reset. otherwise I am not familiar with this unit. maybe edit the post to says its a Smokin It smoker? I had to google what you wrote to find it.

 

[Major5511]

odd... may turn it off and back on? it can be a magical easy fix to simply reset. otherwise I am not familiar with this unit. maybe edit the post to says its a Smokin It smoker? I had to google what you wrote to find it.

Edited, I should have know better. Off and On didn't solve the issue.

 

[clifish]

Edited, I should have know better. Off and On didn't solve the issue.

I am assuming you are measuring temps with a known remote thermometer? Otherwise, any obstructions on the in or out air flow?

 

[Major5511]

I am assuming you are measuring temps with a known remote thermometer? Otherwise, any obstructions on the in or out air flow?

Using the probe for the PID and also ThermoWorks Smoke to monitor temps. PID and ThermoWorks agree on the temp going beyond 225. Only one vent out the top of the unit, unobstructed.

 

[schlotz]

So, you have it set to 225 but it reports back at 233-237? Sure sounds pretty good to me, very low difference. Your kitchen oven swings a lot more than that.

 

[Major5511]

So, you have it set to 225 but it reports back at 233-237? Sure sounds pretty good to me, very low difference. Your kitchen oven swings a lot more than that.

So, nothing to be concerned about then. Thxs

 

[clifish]

you could probably re-calibrate he pid to read closer to actual temp, but that swing is really nothing to be concerned about.

 

[Major5511]

you could probably re-calibrate he pid to read closer to actual temp, but that swing is really nothing to be concerned about.

It's a learning curve for me on the PID and understanding it. I played with the "P" portion a bit and it seemed to tighten the temp control more. Will smoke something again soon and see what happens. Appreciate your response very much.

 

[WaterRat]

So, you have it set to 225 but it reports back at 233-237? Sure sounds pretty good to me, very low difference. Your kitchen oven swings a lot more than that.

^This^ Nothing to worry about.

 

[forktender]

Have a Smokin-It Smoker Model #2D-Digital WiFi and all has been fine until today. Temp set at 225 and it continually goes to 233-237 with no input.
Any ideas what's going on?

A lot of guys would give a nut, to have temp swings within 10 to 15* for smoking damn near anything. It could be a problem while cold smoking, but unlikely. If you can't figure out how to tighten up the parameters, I wouldn't worry about it in the least. I don't know the first thing about PID's, I have one and haven't messed with it at all, they are completely Greek too me, and it bothers the hell out'a me that I don't understand them.

In the beginning, when I was learning how to smoke,
(30 yrs later, and I'm still learning) I was all uptight about holding constant temps. In all honesty, even temp swings of 20 to 30 degrees aren't a problem in most cases. A lot of guys get all caught up in holding perfect temps, but it really doesn't affect the outcome of the food in most cases.

The sooner you realize this the better, don't stress over those temps swings at all, you got this.

Good luck.
Dan.

 

[Major5511]

A lot of guys would give a nut, to have temp swings within 10 to 15* for smoking damn near anything. It could be a problem while cold smoking, but unlikely. If you can't figure out how to tighten up the parameters, I wouldn't worry about it in the least. I don't know the first thing about PID's, I have one and haven't messed with it at all, they are completely Greek too me, and it bothers the hell out'a me that I don't understand them.

In the beginning, when I was learning how to smoke,
(30 yrs later, and I'm still learning) I was all uptight about holding constant temps. In all honesty, even temp swings of 20 to 30 degrees aren't a problem in most cases. A lot of guys get all caught up in holding perfect temps, but it really doesn't affect the outcome of the food in most cases.

The sooner you realize this the better, don't stress over those temps swings at all, you got this.

Good luck.
Dan.

 

[Major5511]

Dan, after it was all done I agree, I was worrying about it way to much. I really appreciate everyone's responses to this. I got a bit of a training session from my neighbor on the PID. Playing with the "P" setting seemed to help towards the end of the smoke. As for the "I" and the "D" not so much in understanding it as well. My next smoke I won't be so concerned and enjoy the process and results.

Thanks again
Frank

 

[chopsaw]

Playing with the "P" setting seemed to help towards the end of the smoke. As for the "I" and the "D" not so much in understanding it as well. My next smoke I won't be so concerned and enjoy the process and results.

P is measured in degrees . So if you set the smoker to 225 , and P=5 , that means the smoker starts coming out of full power 5 degrees before set temp .

I and D are measured in seconds .

I controls over run on heat up .

D controls the response to a temp drop .

If P = 5 , and the smoker is over running set temp , ( to extreme )
Increase the value of I .
If P = 5 , and the smoker is taking to long to get to temp ,
Decrease the value of I .

If you open the door , and it takes to long to recover ,
Increase the value of D .

Are you using an aftermarket controller , or is that a factory setup ?
The above info works with an Auber plug and play , but as far as smokers go , I think the settings are the same .

 

[forktender]

Dan, after it was all done I agree, I was worrying about it way to much. I really appreciate everyone's responses to this. I got a bit of a training session from my neighbor on the PID. Playing with the "P" setting seemed to help towards the end of the smoke. As for the "I" and the "D" not so much in understanding it as well. My next smoke I won't be so concerned and enjoy the process and results.

Thanks again
Frank

Frank, you have a better understanding of the PID's than me.

 

[forktender]

P is measured in degrees . So if you set the smoker to 225 , and P=5 , that means the smoker starts coming out of full power 5 degrees before set temp .

I and D are measured in seconds .

I controls over run on heat up .

D controls the response to a temp drop .

If P = 5 , and the smoker is over running set temp , ( to extreme )
Increase the value of I .
If P = 5 , and the smoker is taking to long to get to temp ,
Decrease the value of I .

If you open the door , and it takes to long to recover ,
Increase the value of D .

Are you using an aftermarket controller , or is that a factory setup ?
The above info works with an Auber plug and play , but as far as smokers go , I think the settings are the same .

P is measured in degrees . So if you set the smoker to 225 , and P=5 , that means the smoker starts coming out of full power 5 degrees before set temp .

I and D are measured in seconds .

I controls over run on heat up .

D controls the response to a temp drop .

If P = 5 , and the smoker is over running set temp , ( to extreme )
Increase the value of I .
If P = 5 , and the smoker is taking to long to get to temp ,
Decrease the value of I .

If you open the door , and it takes to long to recover ,
Increase the value of D .

Are you using an aftermarket controller , or is that a factory setup ?
The above info works with an Auber plug and play , but as far as smokers go , I think the settings are the same .

I may have to stick with using my knuckles on the smoker lid. LOL!!!
For some reason, I'm having problems understanding these darn things, and it's really bothering me that I can't wrap my brain around them.

I hope to have them figured out by next spring. LOL.

 

[Major5511]

I may have to stick with using my knuckles on the smoker lid. LOL!!!
For some reason, I'm having problems understanding these darn things, and it's really bothering me that I can't wrap my brain around them.

I hope to have them figured out by next spring. LOL.

I'll put the knowledge you shared to good use, very much appreciated.