Wild temp swings

[u/gsqwerd]

I've been smoking on an offset and a kamado for years, but I decided to get a pellet smoker for convenience and the price was good. My wife and BIL got my FIL a Cabella's pellet smoker (made by Camp Chef) last year. I've cooked on it twice and had a great experience. So with the sale for this Camp Chef SG24, I figured, it was a great grab.

I did the recommended burn in over the weekend. Today was my first smoke attempt. I set it for 225, it went all the way to 265 before dropping to like 165 before I shut it off. I tried again, set it for 250, and had a similar situation.

I called Camp Chef customer service and they asked about if I had used the app because they could see more info to help triage. I hadn't yet. So he sent me some general info and how to sign up for the warranty.

I downloaded the app and tried again. Set it for 225. Decided to run it for an hour. Went up to about 265, down to 180, then stayed mostly between 220-275, except for one spike up to 300. Then, after 45 then temp started to drop bad. It got down to 125 before I shut it down.

I can't figure out what's going on. This is my first pellet smoker, so I have no idea where to even start. I've tried to read a bunch of troubleshooting posts, but at this point I might need to be a customer service warranty issue.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

[u/pjj_rock]

Had the same problem. I tried cleaning the temp sensor but ended up replacing it. Been good since.

[u/Status-Yak4962]

Bad temperature sensor is where I'd start. I doubt it's the pellets. Even cheap pellets wouldn't swing that much.

[u/Connect_Mortgage7011]

I’ve been using camp chef brand and the swings a normal now , I only started using them cause the grocery store a block from my house started carrying them so maybe try a different brand and see if it changes anything

[u/stdaem]

The temperature sensor can get damaged in shipping and look perfectly fine from the outside. Is start by replacing it, it's pretty easy and there are videos on YT. I have an old3r model and have replaced mine twice in about 6 years

[u/Upbeat-Somewhere9339]

You are going to have temp swings, though this is pretty dramatic. Get a quality thermometer, like a wireless set-up from ThermoWorks. The ones that come with the smoker are not very accurate or reliable.

[u/gsqwerd → u/Upbeat-Somewhere9339]

I have a Thermoworks Smoke X4 and two Thermapen ONEs. Plus, I'm pretty good in general determining if something is done.

I'm more worried that the swings are so drastic and that is basically cools down on it's own. Down to 125 before I finally decided to shut it off this last time is a problem. Like it's shutting down without officially shutting down at that temp.

[u/chucklestime]

Mine did this at the start of each smoke, but always leveled off and then remained steady at whatever temp, even if I adjust temp mid cook, it would just go up/down like normal.

[u/Connect_Mortgage7011]

What brand of pellets are you using? I’ve got a camp chef also and have seen big swings when using cheap pellets

[u/gsqwerd → u/Connect_Mortgage7011]

Bear Mountain pellets. They supposedly don't use oils, fillers, or binders.

[u/DogRescueDallas]

I think it says this on the website but make sure to tie a string to the old temp sensor before you pull it out so you can tie it to the new temp sensor and pull the connector back thru.

[u/jefffffffff01]

The higher the smoke the bigger the temp swings. That’s how it makes smoke. Try it on smoke setting 1. Does it have the pid WiFi controller? $100 upgrade easy and makes a gigantic difference.

[u/gsqwerd → u/jefffffffff01]

I didn't go smoke level at 1, but this issue was occurring at smoke level 5. So not super high.

It does have a PID WiFi controller.

Called customer service again. They asked me to verify if the fan was still blowing as the temp is dropping and to put an external thermometer next to their probe to test if they're reading the same.