Ummm... WSM not shutting down

THoey1963 · Feb 1, 2014

How long does it take a WSM to shutdown after you close all the vents? I closed them all about 90 mins ago. I just checked it and she was purring along at 228* on the top rack and 232* on the lower rack. I opened the door, still nice smelling smoke coming out and she is now up to 232* / 241*.

I guess I'll throw some sausages on and let them cook. I want to start my brisket around 6 pm (2.5 hours from now). I guess I will need to add more charcoal. Any special way to do that to keep the minion going?

HankB · Feb 1, 2014

When they're new they may not seal well enough to extinguish the charcoal. Things you can do to help:

1) Make sure the door fits well. It can be shaped to minimize the gaps.

2) Make sure the mid section is round. It can be brought back to round by strategically hugging it.

3) Smoke a few butts or racks of ribs in it to build up the film on the inside. That will help it to seal.

I had that with mine when it was new and fixed it with a bead of high temp silicone rubber on the bottom of the mid section.

sliding_billy · Feb 1, 2014

I never had much luck shutting mine down (do not have one any more). I just got real good at estimating fuel needed and quit trying.

Ruger410 · Feb 1, 2014

I take the middle section off and set the lid on the bottom

THoey1963 · Feb 1, 2014

HankB said:
When they're new they may not seal well enough to extinguish the charcoal. Things you can do to help:

1) Make sure the door fits well. It can be shaped to minimize the gaps.

2) Make sure the mid section is round. It can be brought back to round by strategically hugging it.

3) Smoke a few butts or racks of ribs in it to build up the film on the inside. That will help it to seal.

I had that with mine when it was new and fixed it with a bead of high temp silicone rubber on the bottom of the mid section.

Thanks Hank. When I first fired her up high, I had smoke coming out from the vents of course, but also where the lid meets the mid section, and also around the door. I read somewhere yesterday of a mod someone did to help seal the door. He bought some sort of replacement BGE gasket, cut it to fit and then glued it on.

Mid section looked round when I put it together today. I have a large brisket going on in a couple hours. Maybe that will help.

THoey1963 · Feb 1, 2014

Ruger410 said:
I take the middle section off and set the lid on the bottom

Great idea...

JONESY · Feb 1, 2014

Is it new?

THoey1963 · Feb 1, 2014

JONESY said:
Is it new?

Yes, first time fired was about noon today.

Danny B · Feb 1, 2014

THoey1963 said:
Yes, first time fired was about noon today.

Being new is why you are having problems. After you get a few cooks behind you it will shut down faster. I modified mine with gaskets from www.bbqgaskets.com and have much better temp control, my dome thermometer is more accurate than before and when I shut all the vents after a cook the temps drop quickly. Congrats on the new WSM. You re going to love it.

THoey1963 · Feb 1, 2014

Danny B said:
Being new is why you are having problems. After you get a few cooks behind you it will shut down faster. I modified mine with gaskets from www.bbqgaskets.com and have much better temp control, my dome thermometer is more accurate than before and when I shut all the vents after a cook the temps drop quickly. Congrats on the new WSM. You re going to love it.

Thanks for the link. Did you just buy the door gasket or the complete gasket kit? I would think since I had some leaks around the lid I should get the whole kit.

As I expected, my dome therm is off by about 8*, but that is why I have the Maverick.

Vision · Feb 1, 2014

Mine's usually cool in 1.5 hours.

Danny B · Feb 1, 2014

THoey1963 said:
Thanks for the link. Did you just buy the door gasket or the complete gasket kit? I would think since I had some leaks around the lid I should get the whole kit.

As I expected, my dome therm is off by about 8*, but that is why I have the Maverick.

I got the kit and did the door and the lid. I think I have enough leftover to do the lid of my 26.75.

THoey1963 · Feb 1, 2014

I went ahead and ordered the same...

ajstrider · Feb 1, 2014

If you can swing it, the best option for the door is the Cajun Bandit door. It fits great and is a lot thicker metal.

THoey1963 · Feb 1, 2014

I'll give this mod a shot and see. Thanks for the info.

Ummm... WSM not shutting down

THoey1963

somebody shut me the fark up.

HankB

is Blowin Smoke!

sliding_billy

somebody shut me the fark up.

Ruger410

Full Fledged Farker

THoey1963

somebody shut me the fark up.

THoey1963

somebody shut me the fark up.

JONESY

is one Smokin' Farker

THoey1963

somebody shut me the fark up.

Danny B

Full Fledged Farker

THoey1963

somebody shut me the fark up.

Vision

is Blowin Smoke!

Danny B

Full Fledged Farker

THoey1963

somebody shut me the fark up.

ajstrider

is Blowin Smoke!

THoey1963

somebody shut me the fark up.

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