A few weeks ago I got the GSM 22.5 off craigslist almost new. It has the gasket kits installed.
The guy gave me 2 charcoal grates, he said he stacked them because he felt coals were falling through.
I figured I would try it without stacking the grates.
As I was smoking the temp stayed in the 250 degree range with all vents open. Everything I've read stated that you have to close down the bottom vents to maintain 225 degrees as the 22.5" has a tendency to run hot. I'm thinking what are they talking about I can't even get it to 275 much less trying for 375 to do some of the chicken recipes.
So today I looked up the specs and the grate is supposed to be 18.25"
I measured the grate I was using its 17" which the charcoal chamber fits over not inside of.
The other grate is the 18.25" which the charcoal chamber fits inside of as well when placed in the grill it sits above and on the leg bolts. The 17" sits below the bolts.
Next smoke I do I'll use the correct larger grate and see how it goes, I have a feeling I'll be getting much hotter and have to throttle down the bottom vents.
If that is the case, in the future I may just use the 17" grate and not have to fuss with the vents a bit, just leave them 100% open as I have for the last 2 smokes I've done.
Thoughts????
The guy gave me 2 charcoal grates, he said he stacked them because he felt coals were falling through.
I figured I would try it without stacking the grates.
As I was smoking the temp stayed in the 250 degree range with all vents open. Everything I've read stated that you have to close down the bottom vents to maintain 225 degrees as the 22.5" has a tendency to run hot. I'm thinking what are they talking about I can't even get it to 275 much less trying for 375 to do some of the chicken recipes.
So today I looked up the specs and the grate is supposed to be 18.25"
I measured the grate I was using its 17" which the charcoal chamber fits over not inside of.
The other grate is the 18.25" which the charcoal chamber fits inside of as well when placed in the grill it sits above and on the leg bolts. The 17" sits below the bolts.
Next smoke I do I'll use the correct larger grate and see how it goes, I have a feeling I'll be getting much hotter and have to throttle down the bottom vents.
If that is the case, in the future I may just use the 17" grate and not have to fuss with the vents a bit, just leave them 100% open as I have for the last 2 smokes I've done.
Thoughts????