# How to maintain my charcoal grill at 220 degrees?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-maintain-my-charcoal-grill-at-220-degrees/664208>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [July 22, 2013, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-maintain-my-charcoal-grill-at-220-degrees/664208 "2013-07-22T16:55:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![nate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nate/32/13085_2.png) [@nate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nate)\
**Post date:** [July 30, 2013, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-maintain-my-charcoal-grill-at-220-degrees/664208/21 "2013-07-30T12:50:54Z")

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> [@sweeteviljesus](#):
>
> [Here is a link to the grill.](http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_513601_-1__?N=578846087&Ntt=triton+grills&Ntk=All)
> 
> The left side is a gas grill. The right is a charcoal grill with an attached smoker box.

With over 1,100 sq ft of cooking space, it’s no wonder you have a problem maintaining a temp!

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**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\
**Post date:** [July 30, 2013, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-maintain-my-charcoal-grill-at-220-degrees/664208/22 "2013-07-30T13:23:09Z")

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one other question - what are you using to validate your temp? if you’re using the built in themometer - ‘don’t’ - those are notoriously bad - get an oven themometer and check at the grates.

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**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\
**Post date:** [July 30, 2013, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-maintain-my-charcoal-grill-at-220-degrees/664208/23 "2013-07-30T14:46:32Z")

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Also, are you filling your firebox full of coals? Give me an idea of how you set up your fire. Also, as said above, take an oven thermometer and take a few readings. One where the firebox meets the cooking area, one in the center, and one right under the chimney exhaust. Just want to get an idea of what the temps across your cooking surface are. (ETA: And, yes, your thermal mass/heat sinks/bricks would go into the main cooking area.)

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**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\
**Post date:** [July 30, 2013, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-maintain-my-charcoal-grill-at-220-degrees/664208/24 "2013-07-30T15:43:20Z")

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> [@nate](#):
>
> With over 1,100 sq ft of cooking space, it’s no wonder you have a problem maintaining a temp!

hey - it uses TARDIS tech!

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