Akorn - One Mod Too Many For Low & Slow?

[churrodog]

How low and slow can the Akorn get while still able to breathe?

I'd like to preface this by saying that I have only attempted to get low temps out of my Akorn twice and both were in the same day while I two butts were going on the smoker. I have done the typical modifications of nomex gasket on the ash pan, the upper lid, and the intake vent has a healthy sealing of gasket/RTV combo.

The next mod is my favorite, but may be where it has been taken too far. Looking at the BGE "kick ash basket" and a few youtube videos, I decided to purchase a 14" stainless fryer basket and chopped off the handles. This works out great because I also bought a 5 gallon bucket and line it with a trash bag to shake out the ash. It works beautifully for clean up and keeps the ash down in the fire bowl and ash pan. I still wipe it down every time, but it's a considerably smaller mess to clean up.

When I ran it both times I filled the basket with Roal Oak lump using larger pieces on the bottom and tried not to use any of the smallest pieces at all and used the volcano method with 1/2 weber cube to get it going. I started shutting the vents down pretty around the 125* mark since I was just getting used to it and let it creep up. This is using the Chargriller ceramic stone.

No matter how far I kept things shut down it seemed to want to climb. It balanced out at about 300-325 with the intake and exhaust dampers closed as much as I felt they could be without feeling like it was choking out.

So, looking to hear from other Akorn brethren on how low and slow they can maintain on this little cooker. Any input on whether the basket had a possible negative effect on the air and temps?

300* still turns out some good looking short ribs! Nice snack while I was waiting on the butts.

 

[LarryO1947]

I put my Akorn down to 1 on the bottom vent. My top vent is closed all the way except for the half moon. I can hold 225 without any problem. I don't use a basket or anything. Just fill it with lump. I think the fuller it is,the better it seems to work. Also,I don't worry about what sizes are where. I just throw it in. My suggestion....get rid of the basket.

 

[ebijack]

Sounds like you have some leaks, quite a few folks say to not modify the Acorn just run it how is was made. I modified mine so I could hold from 180 on up without a problem. Read thru this , and questions just ask. Smoke Ninja is using my Acorn and it has worked for him with ease.
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=203185&highlight=acorn+mods

 

[Single Malt Slacker]

I put my Akorn down to 1 on the bottom vent. My top vent is closed all the way except for the half moon. I can hold 225 without any problem. I don't use a basket or anything. Just fill it with lump. I think the fuller it is,the better it seems to work. Also,I don't worry about what sizes are where. I just throw it in.

I could not have said it better. Keep it simple.

 

[THoey1963]

Can you run the snake method on the Akorn?

 

[toymaster]

I use the ring method and can keep 250 for about 3 to 4 hours

 

[Single Malt Slacker]

Can you run the snake method on the Akorn?

I suppose that you could. However, from my observations and research, kamado style cookers perform more consistently when they have a full load of lump charcoal. The key is to not light too much and bring the temps up slowly.

 

[deguerre]

I'm also with the few as possible mod camp. In fact, once we had a few cooks in ours, and with the ceramic plate as the only mod, we no longer had leak issues. I do always insure that the cooker is fully loaded with fuel, and I start mine with a single starter cube with a "tent" of coals to ignite. It may take a little while longer to get to the target temp, but it never runs away from me.

 

[LarryO1947]

I use the ring method and can keep 250 for about 3 to 4 hours

I pile it full in a pyramid and can hold 225-250 for 15-18 hrs. I light it at the top of the pyramid and it goes and goes and goes.

 

[iamrwnut]

I have no mods on mine. I put a chimney full of lump in and use a single weber fire starter. Let the starter do it's job and when it's gone, I spread out the coals. I set the lower damper to just a sliver open and the top closed until just the small indentation is open. 215-225 for hours. I can get a 18-20 cook on the initial lump load with fuel left over. Over time, I have gotten a little soot build up on the top vent, so I have to set that open a little more now than when it was new. I have been slow cooking on the CG for over 5 years without temperature issues.

 

[churrodog]

Sounds like after I ditch the basket I should be able to nail this thing. I will probably still use it for high temp stuff for the cleanup.

Glad to hear so many people able to run it solid! I will keep at it...

 

[churrodog]

Sounds like you have some leaks, quite a few folks say to not modify the Acorn just run it how is was made. I modified mine so I could hold from 180 on up without a problem. Read thru this , and questions just ask. Smoke Ninja is using my Acorn and it has worked for him with ease.
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=203185&highlight=acorn+mods

Thanks for the link, I will def check it out.

 

[churrodog]

I'm also with the few as possible mod camp. In fact, once we had a few cooks in ours, and with the ceramic plate as the only mod, we no longer had leak issues. I do always insure that the cooker is fully loaded with fuel, and I start mine with a single starter cube with a "tent" of coals to ignite. It may take a little while longer to get to the target temp, but it never runs away from me.

Is your tent method similar to a volcano method where you light the cube and place a piece or two over the top? I'm trying not to blow the lid off the volcano but couldn't really tell because I had thrown the diffuser stone in while it was coming up.

 

[deguerre]

Is your tent method similar to a volcano method where you light the cube and place a piece or two over the top? I'm trying not to blow the lid off the volcano but couldn't really tell because I had thrown the diffuser stone in while it was coming up.

Yep. I eyeball the height by the resting points, then drop the plate in place and remove to see if I've disturbed it and adjust if needed.

 

[Yellowhair42]

Why in the heck do you have a grate on the grate?

 

[BigBobBQ]

I have no issues with low and slow on my Akorn. I did add some gasket to the ash pan and the bottom vent. I can hold 225-230 with the bottom vent about 1/4 inch open and the top with just the half moon part cracked open. I add briquettes and start it with a Weber cube. I have also since gotten a Tip Top Temp controller and ran 18 hours at 240-255 without ever having to adjust anything.

 

[ButtBurner]

I agree with the others

Mine has no mods and after I figured it out I can run at any temp I want

I just pile the coals and for low and slow, light it with a Mapp torch by holding it on the center top of the pile for 30-45 seconds. Let it go for a few mins and close it up and adjust vents like has been mentoned

I used to use the volcano method with a weber cube or cotton balls but the torch works great.

If I want a hotter fire (like for pizza) I light it in 2 spots

its just amazing how many cooks I can get with just one load of coals. Cut down my lump use by at least 75% from my kettle

 

[eolian]

What kind of basket is that for the charcoal? I have a new akorn and i have been wondering what to use?

 

[ButtBurner]

What kind of basket is that for the charcoal? I have a new akorn and i have been wondering what to use?

I don't see any need for a basket in the Akorn.

 

[tnfan47]

Only mod I did were nomex gaskets on lid and ash pan the first year I had it. I usually don't do cooks at 225 range. Takes too much time and no taste difference if doing it at higher temps. I try to stay around the 255-260 when doing ribs though. Everything else is around 300.

After using it for a few years, I don't see using nomex gasket would help much except in the beginning possibly. After several cooks, it will seal itself.