First Smoke on WSM

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kettle man

Fire Starter
Original poster
Oct 21, 2012
66
10
North Carolina
So the day didn't go quite as expected.  I struggled with getting my temp up and had to finish off the butt and three racks of ribs on the Genesis due to when my company was set to arrive. The ribs were perfect and only need a quick flash to get to 195. The butt had great flavor and bark but I had to bring it off in the low/mid 180's.  Regardless my friends still loved it and ate everything I cooked!! I am going to continue to work on my temp.



My dome temp barely cleared 200.  First let me say the Maverick is on my Christmas list. Second I probably could have done a better job with minion.  During the cook I actually took off the middle and top section and added 1/2 chimney of lit coals and still could get the heat up.I did place a hickory chunk on the lit coals.


My results were good. I'll get the process down soon enough.
 
Looks like a great first attempt. Glad to hear you are going to invest in the ET732. It is well worth it.
 
Hello KM!  I sometimes have a little trouble getting my initial temps up on my WSM but have found that if I just remove the lid for a few minutes (not too long) the smoker produces a great chimney effect and the temp will go right up.  

I found this out by accident actually.  I have a CB with SFB and anytime I would raise the lid on that thing I would lose about 20*, imagine my surprise with the WSM to see the opposite happen upon removing the lid.  But when you think about it this makes perfect sense.  It's like opening the flue on your fireplace.

Good luck with future smokes!

Bill
 
Nice going on your new WSM!  Your chow looks great!  It's not unusual to have lower temps the first couple times you use your WSM.  After 10 or so cooks with some fatty meats (chicken thighs works great), it will hold temps better.

Some basics - top vent should be wide open, control the temp with the lower vents.  Using liquid in the water pan will eat up a lot of heat generated.  It's tough to get the pit above 225 when my water pan is more than 1/2 full.  The temp will go up as the liquid boils off.  The dome gauge (on mine) is usually about 25F higher than the temp at the upper grate.

I usually start my minion off with 20lbs in the bottom and light 7 - 10 briquettes - I place the lit briquettes in one area on top edge of the coal bed.  I start out with the lower vent closest to where I place the lit coals open about 25% and the other two vents closed.  I make sure the cracked vent is pointed away from any wind or breeze.  After about 60 minutes, the pit is usually up to 225 (grate temp) and after about 4 hours when the 1/2 pan of liquid is gone the pit shoots up to about 250 - 260.  After 8 hours I usually see a decrease at the grate temp and crack the two other vents open 25%.  If there is wind that I can't block, I leave the windward side vent closed and open the other vents up to compensate.  This will hold the pit at 225 - 250 depending on wind / ambient temp for another easy 4 - 5 hours.

Hope this helps!
 
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