Wsm vent replacement


 
D

David Guthrie

New member
My Wsm 18 is over 20 years old, and needs the lower 3 vents replaced. I’m not impressed with the stock Weber replacements. Can anyone recommend some after market replacement vents?
 
Kevin L (NKY) said:
What is your issue with the vents you and the Weber stock vents?
Loose hard to control air flow? Or something else.
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When I hand tighten them, they don’t want to rotate, when I back them off, they want to loosen too much. They rusted out in less than 2 years. Maybe it was operator error, but I’m hoping to find a better product.
 
To address the rusting out problem, buy replacement stainless steel nuts and bolts. They should resist rust much longer. But I know the problem you're speaking off with too tight or too loose. The original vents are riveted with tubular aluminum rivets which are nice and snug and fill the holes in the lid and vent completely. The screws don't fill the holes completely, so there's some slop in the movement of the vent, and it's hard to maintain just the right tightness. I've done a few colored WSMs where I had to remove the vents before doing the color change and I never came up with a workable rivet solution that approached the original. You may find some pop rivets out there that do the trick, but won't look original.
 
I ended up getting a Dremel, and cutting out the old vent. I think my issue with tightening was putting the flat washer in the wrong spot…..figures I messed up a 50/50 chance. I replaced one vent, and am keeping the other two as spares, since I usually adjust only one vent. I’m just happy I can start smoking again this weekend! Next step….replacing the grill straps. Appreciate the feedback here!
 
Okay folks, I’m finding my lower vents are getting a little loose, do any of you learned folk have any remedies for one who is not terribly mechanically inclined?
 
Timothy F. Lewis said:
Okay folks, I’m finding my lower vents are getting a little loose
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That's not uncommon for someone in your, um, "demographic". ;)

If you use locking nuts with nylon inserts, put the nuts on the outside of the bowl so they'll be farther away from the heat. Don't put any kind of spacer or washer between the vent disc and the bowl because it'll create a gap where air can get in. I like to use stainless fender washers under the nut and the bolt head to help spread the load.

Do you have a Dremel or similar rotary tool? It makes the job so much easier.
 
Brad Olson said:
That's not uncommon for someone in your, um, "demographic". ;)

If you use locking nuts with nylon inserts, put the nuts on the outside of the bowl so they'll be farther away from the heat. Don't put any kind of spacer or washer between the vent disc and the bowl because it'll create a gap where air can get in. I like to use stainless fender washers under the nut and the bolt head to help spread the load.

Do you have a Dremel or similar rotary tool? It makes the job so much easier.
Click to expand...
So, (wise apple!) you’re saying drill it out and replace with SS hardware. I’m a little hinkey with nylon insert nuts and heat I was thinking acorn nuts.
 
Timothy F. Lewis said:
I’m finding my lower vents are getting a little loose
Click to expand...
Loose rivet?
www.virtualweberbullet.com

Parts Troubleshooting - The Virtual Weber Bullet

Problem areas to look for when unpacking and assembling your new Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker. Also, solving parts issues that occur with WSM use over time.
www.virtualweberbullet.com www.virtualweberbullet.com
You could also try wrapping some thin wire around the head of the rivet like bread tie wire - the plastic.
 
timothy said:
Loose rivet?
www.virtualweberbullet.com

Parts Troubleshooting - The Virtual Weber Bullet

Problem areas to look for when unpacking and assembling your new Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker. Also, solving parts issues that occur with WSM use over time.
www.virtualweberbullet.com www.virtualweberbullet.com
You could also try wrapping some thin wire around the head of the rivet like bread tie wire - the plastic.
Click to expand...
Thanks Timothy,
That’s the idea I thought I’d seen, I’m thinking a punch on the inside of the errant vent rivet might be the way to go. Wire isn’t a bad idea either. Either way, I’m going to need an extra set of hands for about five minutes!
 
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Timothy F. Lewis said:
So, (wise apple!) you’re saying drill it out and replace with SS hardware. I’m a little hinkey with nylon insert nuts and heat I was thinking acorn nuts.
Click to expand...
An acorn nut to luck the first nut in place would work. You could also try Loctite 271 (red high strength) to hold the nut in place, although I don't know how well it would hold up to heat cycling.
 
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