<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by B. Kaylor:
John.....I think what Bryan is saying, is that with an off-set lid, you can watch your lid temps on the lid thermo, then re-set the lid at the exact temperature that you want. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Yep, I start out with the leftover coals from the previous cook which usually is not very many lit. So I leave the lid off by about a 1/4" to get the WSM up too temp. The nice thing about using the lid off slighty is yes, you just watch the lid thermo and place the lid back on right when you are close to your target temp. My WSM runs cold, so I don't worry about it over shooting. If I'm wanting to cook at 350 top grate temp, then I'll put the lid on right at 340º-350º really doesn't matter much. You might want to put it back on 25º or more degrees before your target temp. I have to leave all vents wide open and after an hr or so, I'll have to move the lid back off a little again, because my temps will be dropping down. Like I said, my WSM runs cold. You'll figure out waht yours likes the more you cook on it. HTH