Let's talk top vent


 
Bob Correll

Bob Correll

R.I.P. 3/31/2022
It seems that to close down the top vent is a big no-no, so I haven't done so, until my recent low/slow rib cook on a kettle.

I closed the top vent 25% (75% open) and finally got the heavier smoke flavor that we (family) crave.

I control the heat with the bottom vents on my kettle grills and WSM.

My cooks on the WSM and grills never seem to have enough smoke flavor, no matter the amount of smoke wood used.
I know that too closed can cause a sooty taste.

So, do any of you ever partially close the top vent?
 
On my performer, I have had to a couple times to keep a temp down.

On my WSM, no.

I only do short cooks (Chicken, ABTs, mushrooms, short beef cooks) on my performer.

I do the longer cooks (Ribs, butts...) on my WSM.

To each their own on the smoke thing though, I have never had issues with getting the smoke amount I am looking for. It's impossible to say what each person wants on their smoke level. If you like how it worked on the perforer, try it on the WSM and see how it works out. Might be the best thing you ever smoke on the WSM for you.
 
The propeller on my kettle is seized open so for low and slow I have been blocking off 2 of the bottom openings and controlling temp with the top vent. I've had no problems keeping it in the 250-270 range and running a 6 hour cook.I actually find it a lot easier to control the temp with the top vent. I use lump charcoal but I imagine if your using brickets you might get a bad flavour from them not burning properly.
 
Bob, that's a $15 fix. Get those blades replaced. It will probably be a pain to get them off, but the install will be easy. Just read the directions as they do matter (can you tell I didn't read them fully the first time).
 
IMHO leaving the top vent wide open is no different then partially closing. Getting to a temp requires X amount of air going throuh the cooker burning the same amount of charcoal no matter what vents are open.
 
i only slightly close the top if i get a small spike but this is rarely. i get all the smoke taste i need. but really, if it works for you then do it and stop listening to us.
 
I use a therm in my WSM with a silicone plug in the vent. So on the WSM, my top vent is always 66.66% open.
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I control the temps w/ the bottom vents.

Performer is a bit different. I'll close the top vent 50-75% sometimes if trying to really get the temp down. Haven't had any problems, but I always have it at least a little open. Typically though, it's 75-100% open.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by JSMcdowell:
Bob, that's a $15 fix. Get those blades replaced. It will probably be a pain to get them off, but the install will be easy. Just read the directions as they do matter (can you tell I didn't read them fully the first time). </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Yeah Josh I'll fix it up this spring. I'm getting real long burns and great temp control taping off the 2 vents though.
 
I'm like JimK, I keep a therm in the top vent which doesn't allow me to adjust the top vent. I don't have a plug but the therm itself does block some airflow. I use my WSM for temps below 350-375 and my kettle for temps above 325 or so, so I haven't had the need to adjust it
 
The kettle was designed to cook at higher temperatures with the top on and has large top vent relative to its air volume. I don't see partially closing it for low & slow as a bad thing.

The WSM, on the other hand, was designed for low & slow and accordingly has a smaller top vent. I always leave it 100% open and haven't had a problem controlling temperatures or getting good smoked flavor.
 
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