WSM closed-vent temp. hold duration?

charrederhead · 02-24-2013, 11:24 AM

Question for the more experienced...

Did my 4th WSM long-cook Friday. ~38 degrees, calm/light wind.

Full ring of KBB w/ about half a chimney. Foiled ceramic saucer/no water. The door hole is covered w/ double-sheet foil under the door.

After the fire calmed down, temp was 274* (grate), and on went the picnic. For experimentation purposes, I closed all bottom vents. Temp held 270*+/- 5* for 5 hrs. When it began to drop I adjusted the vents to regain/maintain temp.

Is that the general expected temp. hold/duration w/ closed vents?

Brian in Maine · 02-24-2013, 11:33 AM

If I close my vents the temp drops almost immediately.

charrederhead · 02-24-2013, 11:36 AM

Yikes. Sounds like I've got serious leakage!

Carbon · 02-24-2013, 12:16 PM

I agree, you've got a leak in the smoker body.

HeSmellsLikeSmoke · 02-24-2013, 12:22 PM

New WSM don't seal well until the first few times. Also, the middle section could be out of round. Measure it and see. If it is, you can lat it on its side and gently push down.

BobM · 02-24-2013, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian in Maine

If I close my vents the temp drops almost immediately.

^ This.

Brian in Maine · 02-24-2013, 02:40 PM

If you can see a gap call Weber customer service. They will send you a new mid section. They sent me 2 before I go one that fit right when I bought my second WSM.

Harbormaster · 02-24-2013, 06:54 PM

Yep. It's leakin'.
When I close the vents on mine, the fire starts to go out right away.
All of mine are used, and all of them required just a little tweaking to get them to seal right.

charrederhead · 02-24-2013, 07:08 PM

Ok, we are talking about just the bottom vents, right?

Brian in Maine · 02-25-2013, 04:36 AM

02-24-2013, 11:24 AM	#1
charrederhead is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 06-29-12 Location: Thomaston, CT Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	WSM closed-vent temp. hold duration? Question for the more experienced... Did my 4th WSM long-cook Friday. ~38 degrees, calm/light wind. Full ring of KBB w/ about half a chimney. Foiled ceramic saucer/no water. The door hole is covered w/ double-sheet foil under the door. After the fire calmed down, temp was 274* (grate), and on went the picnic. For experimentation purposes, I closed all bottom vents. Temp held 270+/- 5 for 5 hrs. When it began to drop I adjusted the vents to regain/maintain temp. Is that the general expected temp. hold/duration w/ closed vents? __________________ Weber kettle farmer, rotis., 18.5 WSM, WGA, Brinkmann (nee OK Joe) Cimarron stickburner

02-24-2013, 11:33 AM	#2
Brian in Maine is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 08-05-07 Location: Portland Me Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	If I close my vents the temp drops almost immediately. __________________ Brian 2 WSMs 2 OTG One red one black 22 1/2" black Bar-B-Kettle with rotisserie ring Brinkman dual zone charcoal grill Webber Silver Genises B 3 burner camp stove

02-24-2013, 11:36 AM	#3
charrederhead is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 06-29-12 Location: Thomaston, CT Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Yikes. Sounds like I've got serious leakage! __________________ Weber kettle farmer, rotis., 18.5 WSM, WGA, Brinkmann (nee OK Joe) Cimarron stickburner

02-24-2013, 12:16 PM	#4
Carbon is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 08-24-08 Location: Los Angeles Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I agree, you've got a leak in the smoker body. __________________ UDS / Mini-WSM / Weber 22.5 OTG / Modified ECB / Lodge hibachi / 34" WFO.

02-24-2013, 12:22 PM	#5
HeSmellsLikeSmoke somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 04-02-07 Location: Warren, Vermont Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	New WSM don't seal well until the first few times. Also, the middle section could be out of round. Measure it and see. If it is, you can lat it on its side and gently push down. __________________ Jim - Another transplanted Texan Former KCBS CBJ Large and Medium Big Green Eggs , Black 18.5" WSM, Blue Weber Performer - Stainless, Green Weber OTG Kettle , Brinkmann SnP Pro, and a Stainless UDS. One retired Portable Kitchen grill. Red Thermapen, Maverick ET-73, EdgePro Apex Sharpener. Avatar is the original 1951 Weber Kettle

02-24-2013, 02:40 PM	#7
Brian in Maine is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 08-05-07 Location: Portland Me Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	If you can see a gap call Weber customer service. They will send you a new mid section. They sent me 2 before I go one that fit right when I bought my second WSM. __________________ Brian 2 WSMs 2 OTG One red one black 22 1/2" black Bar-B-Kettle with rotisserie ring Brinkman dual zone charcoal grill Webber Silver Genises B 3 burner camp stove

02-24-2013, 06:54 PM	#8
Harbormaster Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-14-06 Location: Wyocena, WI Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Yep. It's leakin'. When I close the vents on mine, the fire starts to go out right away. All of mine are used, and all of them required just a little tweaking to get them to seal right. __________________ Clark My Boys: Joseph (EI); Andrew (EE); Daniel (EE) My Toys: 10 WSMs (B, C, DH, DA, EZ, DZ, EO, DU, DR, EE/DU mutt); Brinkman Cimmaron; Chuckwagon Cooker; 22.5" OTG (DT); Two 22.5" Bar-B-Kettles; One 18.5" Bar-B-Kettle; Smokey Joes (A, K); Genesis Silver C (DU); 3 WGAs (EZ, DE, N); 3 SJPs (DT, DU, DR). "For when democracy becomes tyranny, those of us with rifles still get to vote"

02-24-2013, 07:08 PM	#9
charrederhead is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 06-29-12 Location: Thomaston, CT Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Ok, we are talking about just the bottom vents, right? __________________ Weber kettle farmer, rotis., 18.5 WSM, WGA, Brinkmann (nee OK Joe) Cimarron stickburner

02-25-2013, 04:36 AM	#10
Brian in Maine is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 08-05-07 Location: Portland Me Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Yes. __________________ Brian 2 WSMs 2 OTG One red one black 22 1/2" black Bar-B-Kettle with rotisserie ring Brinkman dual zone charcoal grill Webber Silver Genises B 3 burner camp stove