My first cooks Highs and lows


 
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Derrick Llewellyn

TVWBB Fan
Well I did my first cook today. Did BBR and as some of you may have read I had a few issues with temp control (high side). I started with 2 full chimneys of unlit in ring and half chimney lit. Used 4 chunks of hickory. Started with all 3 intakes open till I hit 200* then closed 1, at 215* closed 2 and at 230* closed 3rd intake 100%. From there it was off to the races. Once I hit 300* I add ice cold water which brought temp to 275* and that is where it stayed the rest of the cook.

Also learned to make sure water pan is sitting firmly on tabs cause I lost my first batch of coals when water pan shift and dumped all over
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Ribs turned out ok. Were done mush faster than I wanted and way over done for me and comp but family really liked them. Going to look at gasket though cause I plan on using IQ110 and it is certainly not sealed well enough for that especially around access door.

So next time will start with less lit when doing ribs but 1/2 chimney and 275* great for doing a butt this coming weekend.

Most of all thanks for the help through the day. Completely different from cooking on off set and felt like it was my first cook.
 
Your first cook sounds like mine.
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I use less than a half chimney of lit on every cook. I find I like having more control as the temps climb. Also, when I want to check the rising temp I put all lower vents at about 25% and then adjust as needed. Usually I don't have to open them more but do occasionally. I keep the top vent open 100%. I use an Auber ATC sometimes and I haven't put any gaskets on the smoker. It holds the temp just fine without a gasket. Once you get a feel for the WSM you'll love the ease of temp control.
 
Derrick one of the things I did when I first got my WSM was put a washer between the wall of the WSM and the brackets that hold the water tray and grills. It made things a lot easier, I'm a putz), and this should be easy since your WSM is new. The door takes some fiddling. Grab a chair, sit down in front of the smoker and mess with the door. It should actually end up pretty good.
 
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