Does a dirty kettle affect temp?

[Vette10R]

I feel like I've been having trouble getting temps into the 400s. I use the SnS and if I remember correctly I didn't have any issues at first. I bought this kettle new last summer and haven't cleaned the inside at all other than using the ash sweeps. Theres a good amount of build up in the lower part of the kettle and I'm wondering if I should scrape that out to help get the temps up?

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[addicted-to-smoke]

Ash and grease build-up at the bottom will cause the sweeps not to seal when done, and over time bend the sweeps upward, causing greater fuel usage since it won't snuff out as well.

But it won't make the grill run cooler. That's all about airflow, and giving coals time to fully get cranked up, especially if not using a chimney.

[Vette10R]

I always use a chimney, I use either web briquettes, RO briquettes or RO lump. The lump gets over 400, the weber will top but I cant get the RO briq over 400...

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[addicted-to-smoke]

One chimney may not get you much past 400 depending on how coals are arranged and where it's measured. I guess it depends on what you are trying to cook, and how.

There's a natural governor a 22 has, based on its size and shape, but it can be overcome with say 2-3 chimney's worth of charcoal!

I have a dislike of RO briquettes because they are a little smaller, and so they die sooner than KB blue in my experience. But that's probably a red herring here.

[Vette10R]

This is my first bag of RO briqs and I'm not a fan...

Problem with more than one chimney is it won't all fit in the SnS. I guess I don't need to use it all the time but I do like using it

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[kettlebb]

Royal Oak Ridge Briquettes? I’ve had no problem cracking 450+ with a single full chimney. I let them nearly ash over at the top though. I wait till the top briquettes are 1/4 to 1/2 ashed over then dump it. All vents wide open.


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[Vette10R]

Royal Oak Ridge Briquettes? I’ve had no problem cracking 450+ with a single full chimney. I let them nearly ash over at the top though. I wait till the top briquettes are 1/4 to 1/2 ashed over then dump it. All vents wide open.


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That's exactly what I did tonight and maxed out at 393 with all vents wide open

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[HoosierKettle]

A couple factors at play. Are you using the lid thermo as a guide?  That’s ok but they can deceive.

Do you have the sns plus?  Any ash build up at all coupled with that grid pattern of the plus would reduce airflow. Honestly 1 full chimney with vents wide open should be at least 550 when you first dump and settle around 450-500 with all vents open with clean airflow. That’s without any gizmo in the grill.


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[Vette10R]

I use the thermoworks smoke for temp, it's off to the side just past the removable center grate so not all the way to the side. I do have the SnS plus but I shake that out each time i use it.

I do end up re-using a very small amount of charcoal from the previous cook but it's never that much.

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[HoosierKettle]

I use the thermoworks smoke for temp, it's off to the side just past the removable center grate so not all the way to the side. I do have the SnS plus but I shake that out each time i use it.

I do end up re-using a very small amount of charcoal from the previous cook but it's never that much.

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I use the Marty bigger better basket mod and it can be very temperamental if there is any ash at all. I find it’s best to dump it completely and refill with the usable used coal then dump the new on top. There might be some ash that isn’t shaking out completely.  You might try dumping it and refilling if you haven’t already.

As long as there is clean airflow, it cranks just like the sns does I’m sure.

Just like addicted to smoke said, a dirty kettle shouldn’t be causing you any trouble at all as long as the vents are open.


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[kettlebb]

Try a different bag from a different store. Maybe this supply got wet or damp somehow. Good dry fuel shouldn’t give you any trouble.


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[Vette10R]

I'll play around with it I just wasnt sure if that dirty kettle was affecting it. Thanks for the suggestions.

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[Harleysmoker]

Sell the SNS for scrap metal,or leave it at the curb for local pick up,,,,,no need at all in a Weber kettle,

[56MPG]

I use the Marty bigger better basket mod and it can be very temperamental if there is any ash at all. I find it’s best to dump it completely...

Yes, my ash can be temperamental at times. Dumping helps a lot.

Marty

I did a cook the other night and had no trouble maintaining 450ish. Single layer of raw KBB in the bottom of my BBBasket, 2/3chimney of lit on top of that. Kind of windy, so that probably helped airflow. Grill itself is filthy, but I keep it swept out. I have also noticed that if the ash pan is too full it seems to choke airflow, but I don’t empty it every cook, and have not noticed a huge difference. Ambinet temps can be a factor too. I did have a few small chunks of hickory in the mix, so they may have raised temps too. Lots of variables, but clean airflow is key. You can crack the lid a bit to bring in more air and keep temps up. They do that at the Weber Grill restaurant so it’s a legit technique.

[PotsieWeber]

PLEASE!  Everyone knows a dirty kettle affects temp.

In pics, the clean ones are usually much hotter.

But, in person, the ones currently in the process of being dirtied are hotter.