First cook didn't go well

Rob123 · Jul 5, 2020

Tried smoking a eye of round roast and ribs. Initially couldn't get the auger to rotate. There were 3 pellets in the way. (Didn't realize how serious removing obstructions was) Finally got started. Got fire started and heated up to 350 for 23 minutes. Dropped to 250 for cook. In the first 3 hours temp varied from 215 to 345. Wound up drying out roast and in never got tender. Pulled roast at 130 degrees. Pulled ribs after 3 hours, wrapped for 2 and gave up. My old Brinkman has done a much better job . Gotta work on my grill game.

DaveXDm9 · Jul 5, 2020

Rob,

Welcome to the forums

What is your grill model?

For me I do not agree with Pit Boss on preheat the grill to 350 and then set your desire temp. I have no idea why they recommend that as I believe it is foolish especially with the newer grills.

When you start the grill do the normal start up procedure as the manual says, but this time once you get the heavy smoke and the fan kicks on which the smoke disappears close the lid and do not set your temp yet wait to the temp hits 140 - 145 then set your grill to your desire temp. Once you set your desire temp say 300 degrees let the grill heat up to 300 as you may see it go to 330 and then it will drop. Do not place your food on it until you see your grill temp stay consistent at 300 - 305.

For the Auger clog make sure you prime it properly as the auger is designed to break up large pellet pieces.

Rob123 · Jul 5, 2020

DaveXDm9 said:
Rob,

Welcome to the forums

What is your grill model?

For me I do not agree with Pit Boss on preheat the grill to 350 and then set your desire temp. I have no idea why they recommend that as I believe it is foolish especially with the newer grills.

When you start the grill do the normal start up procedure as the manual says, but this time once you get the heavy smoke and the fan kicks on which the smoke disappears close the lid and do not set your temp yet wait to the temp hits 140 - 145 then set your grill to your desire temp. Once you set your desire temp say 300 degrees let the grill heat up to 300 as you may see it go to 330 and then it will drop. Do not place your food on it until you see your grill temp stay consistent at 300 - 305.

For the Auger clog make sure you prime it properly as the auger is designed to break up large pellet pieces.

Thanks Dave. I bought a copperhead 5 vertical smoker made exclusively for Wal-Mart. Model number pbv5pw1 I believe. I will definitely start up your way next time.