The Texas BBQ Forum

So far during my cooks I find my self adjusting vales roughly every 30 min as temp goes up and down. That is maintaining between 220 and 240. Outside temp has been roughly 30-40 degrees. plan to cook this weekend and it will be about 20 degrees. Does outside temp make temp control more difficult? Or maybe I need to do something differently. How long does it take to get up to temp with a slow increase before trying to hold? I have had it as little as 15 min up to 1.5 hours. Would love to be able to set and forget (mostly).

Not a hard question to answer but not that easy either. Short answer; Yes.. Ambient temps do make for a more rigorous fire vigil. Ambient temps are causing strain on cook chamber temps, you will be adjusting your airflow to keep up. Then you're chasing your thermometer like a mad man. How long it takes to "settle" depends on your draft efficiency. The draft of your pit, assuming it is proper, will work regardless of the ambient temps.