Help!! Can't get my smoker above 170 Deg.

[mrcustomsteel]

Yep SoEzzy. Probably designed by some hotshot with CAD skills, tested by no one, fabbed in China, shipped to a big box store. I hope robio can get it working without having to start an ECB Mod type sticky.
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D. Tillery
Texan transplanted in Billings, MT
www.mrcustomsteel.com

[biacs]

Robio,
I bought the same style from Academy except I bought the 199 model. They aren't a $1,000 grill but they have better metal than the New Braunfels or Char-Griller models. I was able to get the Pecan wood in the box glowing red by opening the firebox door about 1/3 (4 inches or so). If you release the handle the door will probably swing almost all the way open, I used a fireplace poker to lean up against the door to keep it where I wanted. I was able to control the temp with this method also, opening more or closing more. It's a shame that the factory holes aren't enough to feed the fire but it could also be my fault, I loaded up a chimney with briquettes and poured the over a bed of wood chunk charcoal before adding the pecan logs. I'm going to raise the basket a little to make room for more ash to collect and see if the vent can feed it better with no ash sitting around the wood.

I'm also going to get a piece of 3/16 sheetmetal to cover the iron grate of the firebox, hopefully that will direct more heat through to the main. I was happy with how well it sealed but can see some leaks in the seals that should be easy to fix.

Once the fire was able to breath the temp got right up to 250 and was easy to maintain, I smoked a chicken as a test before trying a brisket this weekend. This is my first smoker so I know there is a lot of learning and fun ahead.