Greetings from Portland, OR

[Michael Dahlin]

Howdy all! I recently inherited an older Weber Kettle, along with a Slow n Sear and Drip N Griddle. I like the SnS and DnG for low and slow, but I have a really difficult time keeping my temps down and stable. I can get it to maintain 300 fairly stably, but keeping it at 250 is really a challenge. I've noticed that I have a lot of smoke leaking from around the rim of the kettle when it's closed. Could additional air flow leaking through the rim be my problem? Should I put some gasket around the edge of the kettle?

 

[Ron De Hoogh]

Welcome from Arizona! Congrats on your new to you kettle,if you are having smoke coming out you aren't getting air in there. Is your bottom vents tight against the bottom of the kettle? If they are try closing the bottom vents sooner so you don't overshoot your desired temps.