UDS temp control & pitmaster iq110

[facepeeler]

So I've completed a few cooks on my UDS, and first off I love using this thing, it's so much easier than the crap-ass chargriller smokin pro I cut my teeth on. I only have a couple of issues/questions. 

First off, for my intakes I cut in 3 ea 3/4" pipe nipples, two capped and one with a ball valve. The way I understand it, you should be able to close down the two capped intakes, and adjust temp with the ball valve, and it should just cruise right along at that temp. I haven't really been able to do that with mine, I always have to have at least one of the others uncapped, and try and find the sweet spot with the ball valve. So Im still going up and down on the temps, just not as drastically as I was before. I want to be able to get the temp set and not come back and mess with it until it's time to do something with the meat. Are the 3/4" nipples too small? Am I not getting enough airflow to hold temps like I want them?

And with the pitmaster iq 110. The hose barb that came with it has a 1" adapter, so I went and bought a reducer fitting to connect to my ball valve. Am I choking down my iq by reducing it down to 3/4" Because today, just like usual, I had to have a second intake open and toy with the damper on the iq itself to get it to hold temps, which it would do for a good while. 

For reference, Im using Kingsford comp briquettes with hickory chunks.

 

[smokin john]

Facepeeler I have heard other say they have one cap off and fine tune with the ball valve. I am about

to complete my first UDS build and I have opted to use 1' inlets, two of which are capped and one with

a 1" ball valve. I am hoping this will help with the fine adjustment. I am sure there are other who can give more info. If you are not satisfied with the temperature control, increase the diameter of the ball valve.

 

[dtatro69]

Smokin John,

I am also building a UDS. I went with one 1" nipple and ball valve, and a 2" X 3' smoke stack. The way I looked at when building mine even though I haven't tested my theory and build yet, I looked at the way a wood stove operates.

 

[smokin john]

dtatro69 you are right, a wood stove is a good example. I am interested to know what temps you are able to reach when you do your test and what air inlet combination if any that you might use.

 

[wneill20]

I have a IQ 110 also and did install the 1 " npple and i have no issues at all it will maintain any temp i want it too with all vents closed except the top vent which is 100% open.