Author Topic: Not getting to temp  (Read 2185 times)

iamimdoc

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Not getting to temp
« on: February 04, 2019, 05:55:21 PM »
I have the Smokin it Model 3 smoker and the •Model: WSD-1500H-W Auber device.  Never "tuned" but has worked well with desired temp with in a few degrees of my 225 set temperature.  Smoker about 3 years old and worked fine as of Xmas

Probe is held up with a clip form Auber that goes into the top grill.  Always in the same position

Yesterday, tried to do 5 racks of ribs.  Usually do 2-3.   After more than 2 hours, temp is  < 200.  Smoker was not opened during that period and ambient air temp was about 60.

Kicked set temp to 240 and go to be about 210 internal temp.  At 275 got to about 230 finally

Suggestions as to issues or solutions what to look for?

Thanks

old sarge

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Re: Not getting to temp
« Reply #1 on: February 04, 2019, 07:46:57 PM »
A couple of questions and I am by no means an expert at trouble shooting.
1.  If you fire up the smoker empty in the dark, does the element have a uniform glow or are there some dark areas? If you have dark areas you may need a new element.
2.  Are the temps you are reporting read from the Auber or a separate thermometer?  If a separate thermometer is used, does it register correctly in ice water and boiling water?  If from the Auber, you may need to do an auto-tune.
3.  When using the Auber, do you have the analog controller maxed out to 250? Anything less and the Auber and analog will be in conflict.
4.  Is the Auber temp probe clean?
5. Is the smoker's built in probe clean?

I hope some of this helps. 
David from Arizona
US Army 70 - 95
SI 3D & Big Red Controller
CS 066
Lodge Sportsman Grill
Weber Kettle
Ducane Meridian 42 inch Grill
LEM MaxVac 1088A
LEM Big Bite #8 Grinder
Chef's Choice 665 and Rival Slicers
Old Hickory Knives
InstantPot Duo80 Plus

pappabear

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Re: Not getting to temp
« Reply #2 on: February 04, 2019, 08:52:22 PM »
Sure am glad I bought the analog smoker!
« Last Edit: February 05, 2019, 11:29:20 PM by pappabear »
Gary
Acme Pa
USAF Vet
Retired coal miner

Stevegardner

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Re: Not getting to temp
« Reply #3 on: February 04, 2019, 09:04:53 PM »
I am with you Gary. I really like the offerings and things digital has to offer. But, posts like this keep me from going that route.

iamimdoc

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Re: Not getting to temp
« Reply #4 on: February 05, 2019, 08:01:57 AM »
A couple of questions and I am by no means an expert at trouble shooting.
1.  If you fire up the smoker empty in the dark, does the element have a uniform glow or are there some dark areas? If you have dark areas you may need a new element. - will look
2.  Are the temps you are reporting read from the Auber or a separate thermometer?  Auber   If a separate thermometer is used, does it register correctly in ice water and boiling water?  If from the Auber, you may need to do an auto-tune.  OK, but all seemed fine until now without tuning
3.  When using the Auber, do you have the analog controller maxed out to 250? Anything less and the Auber and analog will be in conflict. at 250
4.  Is the Auber temp probe clean? prob not
5. Is the smoker's built in probe clean? where is smokers probe?

Thanks for suggestions

old sarge

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Re: Not getting to temp
« Reply #5 on: February 05, 2019, 12:29:49 PM »
The built in probe is on back wall probably down low mut could be toward top, on back wall.
« Last Edit: February 05, 2019, 12:31:46 PM by old sarge »
David from Arizona
US Army 70 - 95
SI 3D & Big Red Controller
CS 066
Lodge Sportsman Grill
Weber Kettle
Ducane Meridian 42 inch Grill
LEM MaxVac 1088A
LEM Big Bite #8 Grinder
Chef's Choice 665 and Rival Slicers
Old Hickory Knives
InstantPot Duo80 Plus

iamimdoc

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Re: Not getting to temp
« Reply #6 on: February 10, 2019, 11:41:58 AM »
So, I cleaned the temp probe.  Did nothing else

Ran smoker with factory settings for PID and got results below under Standard PID settings (P=6, I=600, D=150) as I remember 
Reset the Auber to the suggested settings by Steve Lanier (P=60, I=800, D=150 ).  Results below under Adjusted PID settings.
Both were done in  45 degree weather with no load (ie no meat) in smoker

My comments are
1) Both seemed to work quite well
2) I don't see much difference in the cycling (but I am not sure what I am looking for)
#) should cleaning the temp probe make a difference?

Any comments from others as to why everything seems up to snuff now.  I presume having cold meat in the smoker makes a difference but I had a 13 pound brisket at XMAS that had no temperature issues.  Thus it seems to me that 5 racks of ribs last weekend would have not been a challenge (which is when I  did not get up to temp).

Thanks for looking

Walt

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Re: Not getting to temp
« Reply #7 on: February 11, 2019, 01:17:39 PM »
The meat load wasn't your issue. I have cooked 9 racks in my#2 with no issues.
Walt from South East Louisiana
Model#2 Bypassed with
Auber PID WSD 1200 GPH
Weber EP-330 LP grill