I am cooking a pork butt on my 18 and I am getting a grate temp reading of anywhere from 290 to 315 degrees. I don't think or want the temp to be that high. The problem is that I can't get the temp to go down. I have the 3 dampers closed and nothing. I am going to let it go for the next hour with the dampers closed and check. But what do I do if the temp does not drop?????
Help??
- Thread starter JohnO
- Start date
Dustin Dorsey
TVWBB Hall of Fame
You can close to top vent by as much as half. That should drop temp
Mike Willis
TVWBB All-Star
As Dustin said, this would be the fastest way to drop the temp...or you could just try the high heat method this time. I typically run my WSM at 325-350ºF when I'm smoking pork butts and have been very happy with the results.
Craig Alumbaugh
TVWBB Guru
I would open my lid and let some heat out and then add some water and keep the top vent open if you can.
Jerry N.
TVWBB Emerald Member
The fact that you were planning on waiting an hour shows you have the patience you need for BBQ. Nothing bad is going to happen by leaving the bottom vents closed for a protracted period of time. If I had to close the top vent, I would want that to be opened up asap, but no problem with the bottom vents being closed. Just keep them closed until you get to the temp you want and then open them. I'd start opening them at 285° because the temp is trending down and may continue to do so after you open the vents. Open them a little at a time and wait 1/2 hour or so to see what happens. Overall though, sounds like you got it under control.
Dustin Dorsey
TVWBB Hall of Fame
Not to mention, even with the bottom vents closed they are still letting some air in, probably