Not maintaining temp long....

[jayzi]

Help! This is my second test burn and I can't keep the thing at 250 for longer than 4 hours. First burn I had a little less than 1/4 of the basket loaded with lump. It didn't burn all the lump. Tonight I put a little over 1/4 in and it's been 4 hours and I'm down to 215 and dropping! I have my 3 intakes one is just the 3/4" nipple and two vertical pipes with ball valves... I have them all open! What am I doing wrong?

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[Big Ed]

I have 2 1'' ball valves on mine and it will stay on 250 all day! I would get rid of the 90s and the upright pipes, I think that might be your problem.

[jayzi]

The problem is that my 90s are welded in.

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[Big Ed]

Try filling your basket up full and see what she does, you can reuse anything left over when finished.

[jayzi]

That's my next step, this is frustrating. I followed the tips and guides. My friend and I built ours the same with the only difference being his charcoal basket is smaller than mine and his test burn he got almost 12 hours of good burn. My UDS will not even burn all the lump in the basket. I'm hoping it's just a case of getting the fire right. Thanks!

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[BluDawg]

The problem is the 90's at the top of your riser pipes every 90 in line reduces Flow by 50%a 1 " line with 1 90 will flow at the same rate as a 1/2 line with none, a 1" line with two 90s will flow the same a a 1/4" line with none. I tole you to get rid of the 90's the at the top of the PCV other day when you experienced the same problem.

[jayzi]

The problem is the 90's at the top of your riser pipes every 90 in line reduces Flow by 50%a 1 " line with 1 90 will flow at the same rate as a 1/2 line with none, a 1" line with two 90s will flow the same a a 1/4" line with none. I tole you to get rid of the 90's the at the top of the PCV other day when you experienced the same problem.

I removed those BluDawg, I was running just the metal 90s at the drum with vertical pvc to the ball valves. I even completely removed one of the verticals leaving just the open metal 90, with the other intakes wide open as well and the temp would just drop once the lid was back on. I am tempted to drill another intake and just place a straight metal ball valve there!

[Swamp Donkeyz BBQ]

How much LIT charcoal did you place in the basket? How long did you let the basket burn before putting the lid on the drum!

[jayzi]

How much LIT charcoal did you place in the basket? How long did you let the basket burn before putting the lid on the drum!

I used lump and placed about a good quarter of a charcoal chimney lit on top of the unlit lump. Yesterday it burned for about 5-10 minutes without the lid on, the fire seemed to be going nicely. All intakes wide open and the weber lid wide open.

[BluDawg]

It may well be that you don't have enough exhaust; stale smoke is choking the fire. To find out if this is the problem crack the lid for a 1/2 hr a little and see if the temp increases. Is it possible that your charcoal is damp??

[jayzi]

It may well be that you don't have enough exhaust; stale smoke is choking the fire. To find out if this is the problem crack the lid for a 1/2 hr a little and see if the temp increases. Is it possible that your charcoal is damp??

The coals get plenty red and hot when the lid is off, I don't believe my lump coal is damp. It has been stored on the patio away from the rain or sprinklers. Have you ever heard of or seen that the Weber lids do not have enough exhaust? I am going to go buy some Kingsford Briqs tonight, load up the basket ignite it and get to the bottom of this! I HAVE GOT MEAT TO COOK DANGIT!!!!

[Swamp Donkeyz BBQ]

What brand of lump are you using? Some brands aren't worth two cents and don't burn we'll at all.

[jayzi]

What brand of lump are you using? Some brands aren't worth two cents and don't burn we'll at all.

Royal Oak

[Big Ed]

Do you have at least 2" of space under your basket, that maybe the problem!

[Swamp Donkeyz BBQ]

I've never had any issues using RO. Big Ed is absolutely right. If you don't have enough air space under the basket you're fighting a losing battle.