Weber Smokey Mountain

pittpenfan71

Newbie

Original poster

May 31, 2013

3

10

Pittsburgh, PA

• May 31, 2013

• #1

Hello all, I'm new to the forums and just recently purchased a 18" Smokey Mountain Cooker. I'm a little new to smoking and just had a question for anyone with this smoker. Is it normal for smoke to be leaking out the sides of the top lid? It seems to be maintaining a 200 degree temp. I did email weber about it but perhaps thought it may be better to find out here. I tried search option in the forums but did not have much success. Thanks in advance to any information.

 

oldschoolbbq

Legendary Pitmaster

OTBS Member

Jul 16, 2008

9,359

205

NW Ohio - outside Toledo

• May 31, 2013

• #2

Pittpenpal,Welcome to the Family. I am a Wood burner and have no SM 18", however There will be a bunch as soon as they wake...

. Seems ,from your explaination , to be O.K., however ai could be wrong...

Be patient and the answers will arive.

 

pittpenfan71

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

May 31, 2013

3

10

Pittsburgh, PA

• May 31, 2013

• #3

Thank you for the response. I think that may have been it as the smoke seems to have settled and just coming out the vent. Temperature is holding steady at 220

 

fpnmf

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

OTBS Member

Jul 19, 2010

7,283

82

Fl

• May 31, 2013

• #4

You get some extra smoke at start up..no problem...

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/135116/how-i-start-and-use-my-wsm

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/forum/thread/94076/wsm-mods

  Craig

BTW...      Been up since 5 am...

 

fwismoker

Master of the Pit

Dec 31, 2012

4,279

1,033

North East Indiana

• May 31, 2013

• #5

...as soon as they wake. 

All smokers will leak some smoke out  of crevices here or there....especially at start ups when more primary combustion is going on.   It's all good, enjoy your new smoker!

 

pgsmoker64

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

Apr 23, 2010

3,402

81

Prince George, Va.

• May 31, 2013

• #6

No worries here!  The WSM will leak a little smoke around the top until you've done a few smokes and get a nice little ring of grease to seal it up.  Even then it will leak a little.

As for the door, yep it'll leak there too.  You may be able to bend the door a little to get a better seal or you can buy some door gasket material (high temp) to seal it better.

Good luck.  Once you get the hang of it you will love that WSM!!!

Bill

 

dward51

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

Nov 24, 2011

2,866

541

McDonough, GA

• May 31, 2013

• #7

Mine is a 2005 model and it still leaks a little.  Never worried about it and never caused a problem. 

It will leak less and may quit after you start to get the smoke & grease buildup on the inside of the WSM.  But I would not be concerned about it.  Some people fret and try to seal it up like king tut's tomb.  IMO there is no need to do so.

 

bama bbq

Master of the Pit

Sep 24, 2011

2,352

72

Rocket City (Huntsville) AL

• May 31, 2013

• #8

Like others have said -- let it season from a few cooks and it will seal up. 

 

den60

Smoke Blower

Jun 6, 2012

125

12

Cardiff by the Sea, CA

• Jun 2, 2013

• #9

My WSM took about 4 smokes before it seemed to become dummy proof. I still put out good food during that time, though.