Temperature ranges on model 50

AZ,

Pretty common question, I'd recommend a search on "fluctuations" or "variations" or "swings" and see what a number come up.

For me, it's not an issue I just know some people really like to know all the information. The design has worked for 40 years and still going strong.

AZ Smoker....Have had my CS 50 since Memorial Day Weekend or so and while one of my remote thermometers also displays the internal oven temp and I've casually observed the swings, I've never recorded or plotted them out.

All I know is that it does a fantastic job slowly smokin' all the good stuff I've cooked in the past 2 1/2 months or so (about 95 lbs pork butt, 45 lbs brisket, 25 lbs ribs in total thus far).

But back to your point about the swings....Is it impacting your smoking results thus far? I know others will have some detail/info they can share and I am happy to keep closer tabs on my next smoke and share my findings with you...Good luck on the research....IBSPY

Az
My 55 runs 43 degrees over the knob settting. It will cycle when it falls 7 degrees under the knob setting.
In my eyes this makes my unit run 25 degrees hotter than it should.
Your unit will run on the hotter side while heating the interior up for the startup. Then it should settle down. Towards the end of a long smoke you should have a pretty good idea of where it is at.
Follow the forum keep good notes and become one with your new smoker. It will produce great Q for you.
There will be a few bumps in the road, But without failure there would be no success.
that my 2 cents worth.

Az
Read back through the forum - there has been a whole lot of discussion on this issue. My 50 would peak at about 320 when the thermostat is set at 225. Also the range of the temp swing changes depending on the amount you are smokin or if you were measuring an empty smoker. And like smokejacker sez, it will run hotter during startup until the unit as a whole stabilizes.

Bottom line is that the smoker works and with time, you learn to work with it. Don't sweat about the temp swings, just enjoy the end result.

I have found that if I set mine to 200 it will stay between 218 and 238. I have never moved it off the 200 setting since the first smoke. I feel like Ron Popeil "set it and forget it"

Thanks to all for the info. I was just concerned as I noticed it seemed rather high @ 225 setting. But Now I'll have no need to worry. Thanks again to all!
Gib

You'll find that if you pack it full of butts,etc.,your swings will reduce down to about +/_ 15�

This is far better than most home ovens.