British BBQ Society Forums

I bought and tested out my new BBQ Guru PartyQ and it seemed to be working brilliantly until at some point in the middle of the night the batteries ran out. It was a cold night (about 2-3c) but anyone got any ideas how long the four pack should last on one of these things?

Also should I use the minion method for the coals or just sprinkle a few lit ones over the bucket of unlit?

It was brilliant getting everything started, got to temp in about 20mins, and once the batts were replaced everything went brilliantly (pics below) but now I need to start planning the next cook I want to try only using it to avoid having to get up during the night.

from this


to this in 16 hours

The current from a battery is generated by a chemical reaction, when it is cold the reaction in the battery slows down causing less current to be delivered. To the point where the batteries can't power the device. If you take the batteries inside and warm them to room temp after a couple of hours things are back to normal.

I suppose you could insulate it somehow.

tommo666 wrote:The current from a battery is generated by a chemical reaction, when it is cold the reaction in the battery slows down causing less current to be delivered. To the point where the batteries can't power the device. If you take the batteries inside and warm them to room temp after a couple of hours things are back to normal.

I suppose you could insulate it somehow.

I will give it a try. Never thought of that - I figured it was odd that the batteries ran out in such a short time with such a small amount to do.

I think the partyQ is a high drain on batteries. Constant current to run the elctronics and then the fan kicking in. That requires a surge to get it spinning then the drain drops as it requires less to maintain it's rpm's.

I am buying one of these as well and the concensus is to get some good rechargeable batteries.

Batteries have a shelf life but unless they spent a couple of years on the shelf it Was the cold wot done it...check the box the batts were in, should have a date stamp...... Got 4 or 5 very long cooks out of mine. The batteries they supply with the PQ are good quality high capacity items

;@)

ConorD, what batteries did you use ? I don't tend to use anything unless it has a copper coloured top. Made a devise to use for my Pitmaster IQ, just incase the electric goes out again at a comp. 16 D size batteries has cost me a small fortune.

Eddie

Eddie wrote:ConorD, what batteries did you use ? I don't tend to use anything unless it has a copper coloured top. Made a devise to use for my Pitmaster IQ, just incase the electric goes out again at a comp. 16 D size batteries has cost me a small fortune.

Eddie

Yeah I use the rechargeable version of said black and gold brand. Tried the PartyQ on the BBQ the other day and it really struggled getting the temp even up to 250 let alone holding it for anytime.

I tried just dumping some lit coals on top of unlit ones (as per the instruction) and will definitely be going back to the minion method.

I also strapped a couple of golf and warmers to the battery pack to see if the cold was really affecting things.

I had a different experience, first burn of the Frontier with a partyQ using clay saucer and i struggled to keep the temps down to 250.. If i let it be it rose to 350+ and it wasa snowing. The partyQ displayed the red led stating 'over 30 degree above' the setting. The food turned out ok, a bit overdone but the funny thing is. There was nothing left...

Looking forward to playing again, i've found a local place that coppices their own charcoal and i'll give that a go. Apparently they're using hornbeam at the moment.

tommo666 wrote:I had a different experience, first burn of the Frontier with a partyQ using clay saucer and i struggled to keep the temps down to 250.. If i let it be it rose to 350+ and it wasa snowing. The partyQ displayed the red led stating 'over 30 degree above' the setting. The food turned out ok, a bit overdone but the funny thing is. There was nothing left...

Looking forward to playing again, i've found a local place that coppices their own charcoal and i'll give that a go. Apparently they're using hornbeam at the moment.

How did you prep the coals?

Just asking as you still need to set up carefully............. i use a full basket of coals unlit then place just a small hand full of lit coals on top, close off all vents except for the top exhaust which i have about 1/2 open then let the Pq bring everything up to temp.

If you start off with a roaring fire you will struggle to bring the temp down