Top vent Question

[BenjaminW]

Hell all, Just a quick question. Why doesn't anyone adjust the top vent to control temprature at all?

 

[Pat Barnes]

With the WSM,most of the time you don't have to use it! Plus I keep a thermometer stuck thru one of the holes.
I use the top vent more on the Performer than the WSM. It's a quick way to knock down a flareup.

 

[Dave from Denver]

Closing the top vent will stifle the fire and if the fire's not burning clean you get creosote development and that's bad.

 

[Chris Allingham]

What Dave said. You can close the top vent partially as a last resort if unable to control temp using the bottom vents.

Regards,
Chris

 

[T Muotka]

I have never touched the top vent, always open.

 

[Phil Hartcher]

Ideally you want fresh smoke to flavour the food, by closing/partially closing the top vent the smoke billows around and ends up giving the food an acrid bitter taste.

Cheers