RTD probe experiment...

[680bear]

How much better was the more expensive Savanah probe versus the Bitt Boss probe?

the results were virtually exactly the same so I have left the Savanah probe in...

 

[680bear]

I assume that the load of pan/briquets/steel plate does not interfere with the placement of the drip pan (the space between is limited)? Bit more of a chore when cleaning? Warm up time extended?

I like the results with the shortened RTD but wonder if you could have achieved the result with the temp diversity, by just moving the diffuser a bit off center to deflect the heat more to the weak side? We old Traeger owners did that with great success. As I recall, I had a 15*-20* difference on left and right sides of the grates and moving the diffuser about 1/2 inch did the trick.
However, it appears that you have resolved the problems very well to your desires. Congratulations.

PS. I have decided not to replace the RTD on the 380. I use it for hot/sear/medium temp short(chicken) cooks and use my 590 for the Low/Slow. The Offset changes I made earlier seem to have been satisfactory for the 380.

The diffuser plate in the 680 can't be moved over,,, it has cut outs that provide for the auger...

 

[680bear]

Here is the final outcome of the diverter mod,,, I may still box in the sides and attach the steel plate so it comes out as a unit,,, but it's easy enough to lift out without removing the ceramics as it is now,,, with this the temperatures across the grill surface are within 5° side to side,,, and I no longer have to adjust the temperature offset for the RTD... I call this experiment complete and finished...

 

[okie]

I forgot about the center auger feed on 680. In looking at your pics, I would be interested in doing one more simple experiment if for no other reason than accomplishing the same result with less stuff to move.
Take out the ceramics and keep the steel plate on. Move the steel plate away from the lower temp side toward the hotter side, enough to even the temps on both sides. Probably no more than 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Same as moving the heat deflector. Just a suggestion. Why would I do it?
1. simpler setup if it works. IF. I like simple.
2. shortens heat up time by whatever the ceramics take to get to set temp. And shorter cool down.
3. Easier cleanup.

 

[Roaniecowpony]

no worries,,, if we can all contribute and learn from each other it just makes things that much better for everyone,,, if what I am doing here with my 680 helps out someone even if they don't have the same grill,,, it's all worth it...

Early on when I got the RT700, I did some location testing across the grill. I got some pretty large deviations as well. I didn't pursue it further, as you did. I have noted that I need to rotate positions of racks of ribs to get them to all cook at the same rate as well.

My thoughts go to how hot the pellet burn pot has to run at. Looking at the flame color, I would guess it burns at up to 1200-1300F (max, when going wide open blower for long periods) and much lower when smoldering and low blower use. Evenly dispersing these high temperatures with just the two OEM diffusers as well as they do, still won't be perfect. Adding more diffusers as you did, is a step to fine tuning the Bull.

Good work on the diagnosis and solution.