Temperature problems

[TheSneakyZebra]

I am on my second smoke and I have 3 racks of baby backs in my unit and I am having really bad temperature problems. I set it at 225 at first, after 30 minutes the temp was at 165 so I bumped it up to 250 with the intent of turning it down once it got up to temp. I am almost 2 hours into the smoke and the highest my unit has gotten is 194?!?! It is 40 degrees with almost no wind. I am pretty bummed out at this point. I am checking temp with a maverick that is spot on with temp readings. I have a few hours left in this smoke..... Well maybe more than a few if this temp does not get up. I will update, any tips up to this point is much appreciated. Thanks.

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[DivotMaker]

Where did you place the Maverick box temp probe?  Are you sure it's not touching the cold meat, or sitting just above the meat?  You may be getting false temp readings.  Set the temp at 240 and look at the ribs after 5 hours.  If they're not done, go longer.  You very well may be getting improper readings.  Let's see what the results are, without hyper-analyzing the internal temps during a cook.  This is not your first cook, is it?

[DivotMaker]

One other question - do you have a large drip or water pan below the meat?  Not next to the smokebox, but on a shelf below the meat?

[TheSneakyZebra]

The probe is between 2 ribs on the top rack not touching them.

I did have a small loaf pan on the bottom rack with a little hot water in it. However, I removed it about 30 minutes ago.

Should I move the probe down 1 rack? Is it safe to open, I do not want to throw anything off. I appreciate the help!

[TheSneakyZebra]

So, I moved the racks down 1. So 2 ribs are on the second to the top rack with a probe and the other rib is on the 3rd from the top. I will see how this helps.

[Three Sons BBQ]

Do you have a water pan in there?

[TheSneakyZebra]

I removed the water pan 1.5 hours into the cook just incase. I hit a high temp of 205 at the 2.5 mark. I am very frustrated at this point....

[DivotMaker]

Sorry, Mikey, been busy with my own cook.  How's it going now?

[TheSneakyZebra]

about 3.5 hours in and still set at 250 my maverick is reading 207 

[DivotMaker]

Give it 2 more hours, then peek.  I always do 3 racks for 5:30-5:45.  I think you're going to be surprised; don't stress.  Correct me if I'm wrong.

[TheSneakyZebra]

We will see. I am pretty bummed out at how it is performing temperature wise.. A lot of money ya know. I will let you know the end results in a couple of hours.

[TheSneakyZebra]

I tested my maverick a few weeks ago. I am praying that it has broken since then which is why my temps are reading so low. Rather have to buy a new maverick rather than.....

[NDKoze]

I have put the water pan (sometimes two) on the very bottom pushed up against the smoker box and have not had trouble going way past 225 in zero degree weather. During my pork butt smoke (0 degrees) I saw swings from 190 up to 260. During my St Louis cut rib smoke I bumped the temp up to 240 to get it a bit hotter as I was not getting above 215. At 240 on the dial, I was easily averaging 225.

I think others have experienced problems with getting up to temp with water pans placed on the shelves.

So next time I would say leave the pan in but place it on the bottom of the smoker up against the smoker box.

[TheSneakyZebra]

I have no pan in anymore and have not for a while. There should be no reason that it cannot get up to temp. It has been at 250 for almost 4 hours and the highest it has gotten is 214.

[Three Sons BBQ]

May want to adjust you stock controller... There is a link. You will be fine.