How many of you have added a 2nd lid vent?


 
P

Paul Pearson

TVWBB Super Fan
I have been seeing some comments randomly about adding a second vent but haven't found any real in depth discussions or how-to's on the subject. I plan on cooking poultry somewhat often, and the last few cooks I have needed to crack the lid open to achieve my target temp. I even had to crack the lid when I smoked a couple butts last weekend but then the temps shot up too high.

I have read the modification article here on the website but it is pretty high level I thought.

My other concern is since I have the newer style WSM with the temp gauge, where would the optimal spot be to add the 2nd vent and make it still look nice?
 
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I took the lid thermometer out of all of mine and added a second vent for high heat cooking. The 2nd vent went where the lid thermometer was. I would say the modification is an 8 out of 10 on the difficulty scale only because of getting the holes exact if you want it perfect. Mine were not perfect so I had to remove the little tabs on the damper. Not a big deal but it does allow the damper to spin 360 degrees.

My suggestion if you are going to try this is to order the dampers from ereplacements.com and make a template after you get the damper. Mounting hole is no problem as you can use the thermometer hole for that one. Mark each of the new holes and begin with a small bit, 1/8" or so, work up to say 1/4", then use a step bit to get the hole the size you want. Harbor Freight has cheap step bits.

I actually put bottom vents and dampers in my OTS when I converted it to a WSM with the Cajun Conversion kit and also put bottom vents in my mini, I just used the vents for an 18" wsm in the mini.
 
I was hoping to keep the stock gauge in the lid if I could. Did you put any paint or anything around the edges of the new holes?
 
No paint. It will gunk up pretty quick just like the inside of the smoker.

No reason you couldn't leave the lid thermometer if you wanted to.
 
Don't know that it makes any real difference. What you are after is more air flow. Aesthetically, it won't be a balanced look since the dome thermometer is 180 from factory vent but from a performance standpoint it shouldn't matter.
 
Paul I've cut a second dome vent in my old model WSM and the new model with the thermometer. Maybe with the new site some of the old posts were lost, don't know but I would highly recommend doing it and it's easy if you are a little bit handy. Really there is no downside to this modification. Use when you want to, keep it closed when you don't. I left my thermometer in place. When I get home tonight I will upload a photo for you to look at. I used painters tape a 1/8" drill bit and a Unibit. I am handy so I no problem centering my holes but like anything else you do need to have some experience with drilling & filing.
 
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Paul here is a photo of the newer model with the second vent off to one side. I thought about it over a few days and took my therm. off a couple of times looking at the holes in the dome. I was worried about being able to lay the vent over the factory holes for the therm. so decided to do what I did. Yes it's not balanced but it does accommodate my needs. I will look for some old posts and may add them. I have read a few and posted myself on the advantages of the second dome vent.
 
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It looks like you put the vent at the same level as the stock one, (vertically from the mid section) is that right? It looks like it is pretty close to the handle, does the end of the handle get hotter using that vent?

That is the general area that I figured I would add my vent so I was just curious. Also looks like I should clean my vent up, yours are way cleaner lol.
 
Paul Pearson said:
It looks like you put the vent at the same level as the stock one, (vertically from the mid section) is that right? It looks like it is pretty close to the handle, does the end of the handle get hotter using that vent?

That is the general area that I figured I would add my vent so I was just curious. Also looks like I should clean my vent up, yours are way cleaner lol.
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To your first question, yes. Second question, no not that I have noticed. Once you get to HH temps you may not need to keep the second vent fully open. The smoker will "rocket" up to HH temps if you use a full chimney of lit. I also have my smoker lined with Nomex so I can put the brakes on and drop a 100 degrees in about twenty minutes. If you do this mod you have created an outdoor oven. Wind will still drive you crazy :)
 
I already built myself a windbreak / storage enclosure for it so that will help me out some with the wind. It would be great to not have to crack the lid or pop the door open to run at HH for long periods. Having the vent to adjust should give much better control than the lid or door method I am hoping.
 
Paul Pearson said:
I already built myself a windbreak / storage enclosure for it so that will help me out some with the wind. It would be great to not have to crack the lid or pop the door open to run at HH for long periods. Having the vent to adjust should give much better control than the lid or door method I am hoping.
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Guaranteed:)
 
Only one chimney full? When I did my practice turkey a few weeks ago I used 2 full chimneys and with the lid cracked open I ran 32t-340 for 2 hours. I guess I never calibrated my temp gauge though so it could be a bit off.
 
Finally got around to installing my second lid vent. I wasn't able to put the vent as high as the stock one because I didnt want it getting too close to the handle and melting things.

I took a few pictures along the
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J Hoke said:
My suggestion if you are going to try this is to order the dampers from ereplacements.com and make a template after you get the damper.
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I'm not sure what their dampers are like, but I just ordered 3 genuine replacements directly from Weber and they were only $10 and change. Hard to beat that.
 
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