Having Problems With My Mini WSM

[C J]

Smokey Joe Silver. No matter what I do, I cannot get my smoker to 250 when I have a terra cotta diffuser at the bottom. It's just choking off too much oxygen to the coals and they are dying, which requires me to take off the stock pot and allow the coals to go back to red.

The only thing I've found that works is to lay a piece of aluminum foil at the bottom, leaving some room on the sides for the smoke to escape. I can get between 260-300 at that point, which is fine. Eventually it will start losing temperature and I will need to go move some air underneath the smoker to keep the coals hot.

Any ideas on a better diffuser or a method to keep the coals hotter?

[mikemci]

I use the steamer plate that came with the pot. No terra cotta. Also, did you do the can with holes mod. over the intake, so it doesn't get blocked with ash?

[bikerm40]

Here is my setup with weber charcoal rails with a piece of sheet metal between and a nut can to prevent ash over the intake, light one end and good for 5 to 6 hours

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WT0-vUHoKwc/VIWqhBDZdoI/AAAAAAAACf4/q7C8Y6-wZSM/w678-h509-no/IMAG0056.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-U467bNqpbJw/VIWqhNM9YdI/AAAAAAAACf4/ndli-5G-DMM/w678-h509-no/IMAG0055.JPG

[Harbormaster]

How big is the terra cotta diffuser? How close does it come to the walls of the tamale pot? There has to be airflow around the diffuser for there to be a fire.

[Haveuseen1?]

I use a 10" or maybe a 12" terracotta difuser. I think it is 12. No issues. Maybe it is 10". Either way, I have a can with holes in it that covers the vent on the bottom to keep air moving. No issues getting to 300 or better.

[peeps]

Also, you may not have enough hot coals to maintain that temp while heating up the diffuser/heatsink.

Are you using a fire basket? How are you starting your fire? How far above the fire are you placing the diffuser? Got pictures of your setup?