UDS temp problem

[Bigunsbbq]

Having hard time to maintain steady temp seams like everybody is getting long steady control. Been lighting off basket lowering in after about 10 min temp gets up to 250 -275 start shutting down intakes and exhaust . Shut all intakes except ball valve and two exhaust and temp falls quick to 150 - 175 have to open up and get going again seams I have to leave lid off set to draw Can cook a rack of ribs they are great . Shut down like everybody says and by 4:00am temp is at 125 start at 8:00pm only 8 hrs using kingford about 10-12lbs would like to get that long burn I read about ? Basket is 12 by 14 , 4 3/4 intakes and 4 3/4 exhaust.
Got another barrel ready to start building but dont want 2 that dont work
HELP!! Bigun

[BluDawg]

Ok heres the deal. Never control temp by closing down on the exhaust. The reason your temps are dropping is because you don't have enough exhaust I would add at least 2-3 more holes and leave them all open. Catch your temps on the way up by limiting the intake air. I have 3 intakes and 1 2" bung for my exhaust.
I burn lump in the basket and use about 15 briquettes that I light in a chimney to fire the lump( think Consistency). I leave it to sit for 10 min before dropping it in the drum all 3 intakes WFO as well as the exhaust. At 200 I close 1 intake, at 240 I cap the second and close the ball valve about 1/4 and it settles in between 275- 325 every time. Unless I'm shutting it down th exhaust remains WFO . Your grate temp will be 50 deg hotter in the center than the reading on the mounted thermo.

[Davidtxs]

Ok heres the deal. Never control temp by closing down on the exhaust. The reason your temps are dropping is because you don't have enough exhaust I would add at least 2-3 more holes and leave them all open. Catch your temps on the way up by limiting the intake air. I have 3 intakes and 1 2" bung for my exhaust.
I burn lump in the basket and use about 15 briquettes that I light in a chimney to fire the lump( think Consistency). I leave it to sit for 10 min before dropping it in the drum all 3 intakes WFO as well as the exhaust. At 200 I close 1 intake, at 240 I cap the second and close the ball valve about 1/4 and it settles in between 275- 325 every time. Unless I'm shutting it down th exhaust remains WFO . Your grate temp will be 50 deg hotter in the center than the reading on the mounted thermo.

DITTO DITTO leave exhaust wide open it ats two folds
1. no stale smoke lingering
2. eliminates one variable

[ChileFarmer]

The Dawg, telling it right. Works for me. CF

[Bigunsbbq]

Thanks, BluDawg I think I will just start with a new lid got several laying around and will get me some lump and try that also . Don't think I can find lump locally will have to go to Abilene maybe @ academy . Go there regularly to the Dr.