Have kind of the same issue as Nate C, but didn't want to thread-jack..
I've done 4 smokes on my WSM. 3 chicken, 1 pork ribs. The first smoke was with water; after reading these forums a bit, I used a 13'' clay saucer wrapped in foil for the last 3 cooks. No issues, although my ribs didn't come out exactly the way I'd like. For the ribs, I just refilled the smoker about the 2 hour mark.
I recently did pork ribs again yesterday. I used the minion method for the first time; I filled the chamber about half way with unlit regular Kingsford Charcoal and poured about half a Weber chimney of lit charcoals on top. Buried two chunks of apple wood, also. Got the temps up to 260, closed 2 bottom vents and kept one about 1/4 open. Temp stabilized at 250 for 3 hours. During the 3 hours, I rotated the ribs once and sprayed a vinegar-based wash a few times. Opened the door to check the charcoal once.
About the 3 hour 15 minute mark, the temps started rising, all the way to 315. I closed the bottom vent, no change. I closed the top vent 1/2 way, no change. So my first thought was a leak somewhere. All the sections seemed to have a decent seal. Checked the door, nothing out of the ordinary. I opened the door to see where the charcoal level was at, still had quite a few charcoal left but but all were burning red.
I ended up pulling the ribs early and tossed them into the oven. I closed all the vents, the temps still stayed at 300+ for a good 20-30 mins. before finally cooling down and dying out.
So, looking back at it, I'm still wondering if that door was the source of the leak; I don't believe it was the lid, although its still a possibility. After 3 hours of perfect constant temps, I'm not sure what happened after. Anyone have any thoughts?
I've done 4 smokes on my WSM. 3 chicken, 1 pork ribs. The first smoke was with water; after reading these forums a bit, I used a 13'' clay saucer wrapped in foil for the last 3 cooks. No issues, although my ribs didn't come out exactly the way I'd like. For the ribs, I just refilled the smoker about the 2 hour mark.
I recently did pork ribs again yesterday. I used the minion method for the first time; I filled the chamber about half way with unlit regular Kingsford Charcoal and poured about half a Weber chimney of lit charcoals on top. Buried two chunks of apple wood, also. Got the temps up to 260, closed 2 bottom vents and kept one about 1/4 open. Temp stabilized at 250 for 3 hours. During the 3 hours, I rotated the ribs once and sprayed a vinegar-based wash a few times. Opened the door to check the charcoal once.
About the 3 hour 15 minute mark, the temps started rising, all the way to 315. I closed the bottom vent, no change. I closed the top vent 1/2 way, no change. So my first thought was a leak somewhere. All the sections seemed to have a decent seal. Checked the door, nothing out of the ordinary. I opened the door to see where the charcoal level was at, still had quite a few charcoal left but but all were burning red.
I ended up pulling the ribs early and tossed them into the oven. I closed all the vents, the temps still stayed at 300+ for a good 20-30 mins. before finally cooling down and dying out.
So, looking back at it, I'm still wondering if that door was the source of the leak; I don't believe it was the lid, although its still a possibility. After 3 hours of perfect constant temps, I'm not sure what happened after. Anyone have any thoughts?
