G+_Jason Williams Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 It's BBQ season and I'm getting into smoking on my Weber grill. My questions are: 1) do I moderate temp by using x number of coals? 2) do I moderate temperature by regulating access to oxygen? I'm aiming to maintain 225 degrees for 7 hours. When I lit 10 coals I notice temp spikes to 275 degrees even with vents closed, but eventually flattens out to 225 in about an hour. Discuss please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Jason Williams Posted June 10, 2016 Author Share Posted June 10, 2016 Could I use 60 charcoal briquettes as long as I wait an hour or so for the temp to stabilize? Or would I end up with a realllly hot grill for a looong time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Carlton Dodd Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 The ones I've seen use vents to regulate temperature. I'd guess that your temp spiked with the vent closed as it used up the available oxygen. Since it flattened after an hour, I'd say you have a lot of air leaks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_610GARAGE Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 I know very little of grilling, but I don't think you could reliably control temperature by controlling burn rate. I know that gas furnaces have only recently done this, but that is with precisely controlled gas valves and I believe controlled blower fans. I don't know if charcoal burns at such a predictable rate for you to be able to count the number of briquettes. But if you did, you would have to stack them so that you get the same amount of burning surface area each time. Outside temperature and wind will be a BIG factor. Grills aren't insulated, so a little bit of wind/change in ambient temperature will through off your calculation. Temperature may not be a big factor. Depends on how precise you need to be. In order for something to burn, it has to be a certain air to fuel reaction. If you starve the fuel source of oxygen, you may not have enough control before the fire goes out. I think outside air would be best. Not sure what you planing on exactly, but you could tie a motor to some vents and have it controlled via an arduino or a thermostat. When it's cold, close the vents. When it starts to get to hot, open the vents. Would be pretty simple to program and give you the best control. To build is another situation. You would have to be very careful not to overheat the motor. You would need heat shielding and probably mount it as far away from the grill as feasible. Maby have a motor on the ground, pushing on a stick that opens and closes the lid a little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Eddie Foy Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 done a ton of smoking. love the little brinkman smoker. I like the smoker to be tall, smoke will pool at the top an easier to keep the temp down. yes starving it for air is a good way to keep the temp in check. I've had on the 'back burner' sotospeak a nauto vent just using a bimetal coil (an old automatic choke from a carburetor comes to mind) As for # of coals, thats kinda like asking how long is a piece of string. Do a dry run. Also do NOT soak the wood/wood chips, thats just adds steam. As a side note, you can add in a distill tube at the top and make your own 'liquid smoke' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Eddie Foy Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 Wayne Hobbins pretty slick idea/link. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Brian “Yikesfpv” Gipe Posted June 11, 2016 Share Posted June 11, 2016 It's summer. This would be a great topic for the show. Talkin' to you Fr. Robert Ballecer, SJ :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Ben Yanke Posted June 13, 2016 Share Posted June 13, 2016 Just hook up a RPi or Arduino with a temp sensor, and get a servo or fan that'll add more or less air over the coals based on temperature! Perfect temp grill every time. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts