New Auger and low temps still an issue

[Rickyjk619]

The newest firmware seems to try to keep from overshooting temps overall mine has been working well. I have had where it took a while to stabilize at 225. got there in 15 minutes or so then dropped down to 190 for a while and after another 15 got back up to 225. I’ve run it at 300 or 350 a couple of times and it gets there in 15 minutes and holds steady. Seems like the new firmware still struggling with the lower temps still cooking fine for me fortunately,

I did a 15 hour cook at 250 this weekend and it worked flawlessly. It’s a roll of the dice if works correctly at low temperature.

 

[dbk402]

I did a 15 hour cook at 250 this weekend and it worked flawlessly. It’s a roll of the dice if works correctly at low temperature.

YUP! unfortunately, I'm finding that out too. My "trick" is...crank it up to like 500 to get the fan going and heat up the SmokeFire...then I'll crank it down to the temp I want it. It's hit and miss...sometimes it will hold...sometimes it'll have a mind of its own and go up 15-25 deg, then normalize after "a while."

Again, frustrating, but it held temp for at least 2hrs at 225, but I'm afraid to open the lid b/c I don't know how the damn SF will react. *sigh*

 

[Rickyjk619]

YUP! unfortunately, I'm finding that out too. My "trick" is...crank it up to like 500 to get the fan going and heat up the SmokeFire...then I'll crank it down to the temp I want it. It's hit and miss...sometimes it will hold...sometimes it'll have a mind of its own and go up 15-25 deg, then normalize after "a while."

Again, frustrating, but it held temp for at least 2hrs at 225, but I'm afraid to open the lid b/c I don't know how the damn SF will react. *sigh*

Seems to be the issue with most of the smokers at this pot. When it works it works great.

 

[bbq4ever]

Just for the fun I have put my Weber I grill probes in my 2 ovens (hot air) in the kitchen.
Guess what:

• They also fluctuate.
• Temperature is of by 5 degrees Celsius (40 Fahrenheit)
• one is quicker to get to the target temperature as the other one. The slowest one takes 15 minutes more to get to the desired target temperature.
• They also fluctuate around the target temperature (mostly overshoot)
• They have also hot spots. (when using hot air it is less of-course)

I'm not saying that we should accept the issues (definitely not, the SF is expensive enough) but we also should put it in perspective. My personnel opinion is that all current owners should get the updates and upgrades e.g. the welded auger and... and ...

 

[KevinD]

I just sent this to Weber:
Hello!
This email is in the spirit of keeping you informed. Although this is an FYI unless there is any new software/firmware update, I would like at least a comment back. I think I have all the latest software/firmware, welded chute, and control panel. On low and slow cooks my temps have taken as long as an hour to stabilize. On a 350 cook 8 days ago it was rock steady. I use Weber pellets, shop vac the grill after each use, and use drip pans. I changed the chute in late April and started with new pellets. I emptied it today and found this, note photo. It would seem to me that the reverse auger during shutdown might contribute to this impaction. It would not budge with a strong shop vac. I had to attempt to start it to loosen it up. Sorry for the fuzzy photo but I think it shows enough.
Thoughts?
Thank you
Kevin Danby

 

[SillyRabbit]

Well, I haven't seen anything new from Weber as far as the app or the controller firmware. I've added all the optional parts that they have sent and really not seeing any difference. Overall long cooks work out, the shorter cooks like reverse sear are very unreliable. Mostly temps are under, but I've seen it jump to 280 when set at 225. I tried to let it adjust on its own, but the fan wasn't slowing, the pellets were still dropping. I had to open the lid to get it to drop. I closed it back up at 245, thinking it would help settle down to 225. Nope - it dropped to 185 and took 15 mins to get back to 225. Seems like a lot of hassle for something that is supposed to regulate itself. Still not giving up, but my eyes are wondering at other products.

 

[Bruno]

YUP! unfortunately, I'm finding that out too. My "trick" is...crank it up to like 500 to get the fan going and heat up the SmokeFire...then I'll crank it down to the temp I want it. It's hit and miss...sometimes it will hold...sometimes it'll have a mind of its own and go up 15-25 deg, then normalize after "a while."

Again, frustrating, but it held temp for at least 2hrs at 225, but I'm afraid to open the lid b/c I don't know how the damn SF will react. *sigh*

I do this sometimes, it is hit or miss! Such a pain I. The ass, seems like it was better before the update. Get it together Weber. For those of us who’s re keeping the SmokeFire they need to keep trying to make it as good as it can be!’
Please email them and tell them that.

 

[Bruno]

Well, I haven't seen anything new from Weber as far as the app or the controller firmware. I've added all the optional parts that they have sent and really not seeing any difference. Overall long cooks work out, the shorter cooks like reverse sear are very unreliable. Mostly temps are under, but I've seen it jump to 280 when set at 225. I tried to let it adjust on its own, but the fan wasn't slowing, the pellets were still dropping. I had to open the lid to get it to drop. I closed it back up at 245, thinking it would help settle down to 225. Nope - it dropped to 185 and took 15 mins to get back to 225. Seems like a lot of hassle for something that is supposed to regulate itself. Still not giving up, but my eyes are wondering at other products.

Amen!

 

[Frank Neher]

The newest firmware seems to try to keep from overshooting temps overall mine has been working well. I have had where it took a while to stabilize at 225. got there in 15 minutes or so then dropped down to 190 for a while and after another 15 got back up to 225. I’ve run it at 300 or 350 a couple of times and it gets there in 15 minutes and holds steady. Seems like the new firmware still struggling with the lower temps still cooking fine for me fortunately,

Me too

 

[SillyRabbit]

I am trying to smoke pastrami today. Fully cleaned the smoker before I started. Using oak and hickory lumbar jack pellets. So far, hit 225 in 10 mins. 5 mins later it is at 185, 5 mins after that it is at 175. Back to 225 5 mins later. Basically 15 min to come back to set temp. I am gonna let it ride until it settles at 225 for 10-15 before I put on the brisket.

After coming back up to 225, it dropped to 195 after 5 mins. 5 mins later, it was back to 225 and has held for 15 mins, so I am ready to smoke 45 mins after starting the smoker.

Its been an hour since I put the meat on the smoker and it has not flinched. 225 solid, didn't even drop when I opened the lid to add the brisket. Its 50-60 deg here today, but the winds are blowing 15 mph. I have no doubt the cook will turn out awesome, but it sure can be frustrating to get the smoke fire to settle on a temp.

Brisket has been on for 4 hours now and internal temp is stalling. Just hit 160, so I'm gonna place it in a tray with water and cover with foil and take it to 200. - Trying a variation of what Trendkill did. Smokefire is staying steady at 225.

6.5 hrs into the cook - 2.5 hrs in the water pan and it reached 200. The smokefire has given me no problems. I removed the aluminum foil and the bark is no longer crisp. I pulled the meat from the smoker and probe says 186. I removed the water pan, set the smoke fire to 265 and put the brisket back on to try and crisp up the bark and get the brisket back up to 200. I don't understand this, but the internal temp keeps dropping. After 10 mins, it is down to 165 and still dropping. When I stick a thermometer in it, it gives resistance, so I don't think it is done. Smokefire only took 1 min to go from 225 to 265 and it is holding steady. I plan to keep smoking until it gets back to 200+.

I ended up wrapping in foil and upping the temp to 275. Hit 205 in an hr and I called it done. Once the Smokefire finally settled at 225, it was rock solid even when I upped the temp to finish off the cook. I am letting it rest, then will put in the fridge and serve for lunch tomorrow.

 

[jmccrack650]

Both times I have cooked at 225-250 I have seen this exact behavior. Yesterday it took about 20 min to come back to 250 after putting on food. After that it stayed there for the remainder of the cook.

It makes you worry that it has gone out or something is wrong, but really for a long low cook, 20 min of this 175-225 range won't hurt anything.

But still hope Weber resolves in future firmware.

 

[Frank Neher]

I am trying to smoke pastrami today. Fully cleaned the smoker before I started. Using oak and hickory lumbar jack pellets. So far, hit 225 in 10 mins. 5 mins later it is at 185, 5 mins after that it is at 175. Back to 225 5 mins later. Basically 15 min to come back to set temp. I am gonna let it ride until it settles at 225 for 10-15 before I put on the brisket.

After coming back up to 225, it dropped to 195 after 5 mins. 5 mins later, it was back to 225 and has held for 15 mins, so I am ready to smoke 45 mins after starting the smoker.

That is the crazy stuff mine has been doing since firmware update

 

[topkatt4518]

Welcome to the 4008 club... I wish I could go back to 4003 at least that software was "predictably erratic" I told that to Weber and was just informed they know of the issues and are working on an update soon. I truly want to love this grill, but, everytime I let my guard down it kicks you right in the butt, no pun intended.

 

[Bruno]

That is the crazy stuff mine has been doing since firmware update

Me too.

 

[Bruno]

Welcome to the 4008 club... I wish I could go back to 4003 at least that software was "predictably erratic" I told that to Weber and was just informed they know of the issues and are working on an update soon. I truly want to love this grill, but, everytime I let my guard down it kicks you right in the butt, no pun intended.

Sad we are all experiencing the exact same thing