Ball Valve For Kettle/Summit?

[darita]

I hate the leaky bottom air control of the Weber Summit/Kettle, so I’m wondering if anyone have done away with it and replaced it with a more controllable ball valve or something. Am I nuts for thinking this?

 

[mcyork28]

How is it causing a problem?

Have you checked to see how the ash sweep blades are positioned? I had one get bent slightly up in my kettle and it was impossible to control temp.

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[darita]

How is it causing a problem?

Have you checked to see how the ash sweep blades are positioned? I had one get bent slightly up in my kettle and it was impossible to control temp.

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There are three blades. Each blade contacts the bowl in the middle, but on the ends, the blades are lifted, which means plenty of air is allowed to pass.

 

[mcyork28]

I'll take a look at mine when I get back to the house but I think mine make contact at the ends. If so, they will probably send you new ones. They are easy to replace.

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[txsmkmstr]

Before the blades on my Kettle went totally south I used a cast iron smoker box on top of them to keep all edges touching. Perhaps a couple of firebricks would accomplish the same thing - just a thought.

 

[mcyork28]

Mine are fairly tight. I can see a little lifting on a few but I don't have any trouble controlling temps or shutting down.

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