Weber smokey mountain 18.5 getting to hot

mrkyoung

Newbie

Original poster

Apr 18, 2014

5

10

• May 24, 2014

• #1

i'v been having an issue with my smoker running hot. I'm on my third smoke, i filled the bowl with water, i closed all the vents. I have a pit master iq attached with a maverick thermometer. I put one chimney full of unlit charcoal, and put one chimney of lit charcoal on top, i'm wondering if maybe i'v put to much charcoal? i'm trying to get the smoker down in the 220 range and it wants to be in the 300's. Any help would be wonderful. 

Thanks,

 

noboundaries

Epic Pitmaster

OTBS Member

SMF Premier Member

Sep 7, 2013

10,247

5,352

Roseville, CA, a suburb of Sacramento

• May 24, 2014

• #2

Welcome to SMF mrkyoung.  Please be sure to stop in the Roll Call section to introduce yourself so folks can say "hi" who might not check the charcoal smoker section.

Now, as far as your WSM.  New WSMs tend to run hot anyway but I believe you are using too much hot charcoal.  I have a 22.5" WSM and I never used a full chimney of lit charcoal, not even when I'm going to do a 300-350F session.  I typically load my grate with cold charcoal with wood buried in it, then for a low temp smoke of 225-250F I only use about 1/4 to 1/3rd of a chimney of hot charcoal dumped on top of the cold stuff.  Give that a try and see if you get closer to the low temp you're looking for. 

 

bcbearsfan

Newbie

Oct 8, 2013

24

10

Delta B.C (just outside Vancouver)

• May 24, 2014

• #3

I have a wsm also. I think you are starting with too much lit charcoal. If I want 220 I start with a 1/3 of a chimney. Also dont pour lit charcoal on top of unlit because it will light the unlit right away causing way too much burning. Try using the minion method. There are a ton of posts and YouTube videos about wsm and the minion method of lighting charcoal.

 

jp61

Master of the Pit

★ Lifetime Premier ★

Mar 6, 2011

2,882

189

NE Ohio

• May 24, 2014

• #4

 to SMF!

Take a look here.

 

Rafter H BBQ

Epic Pitmaster

OTBS Member

★ Lifetime Premier ★

Jun 18, 2013

12,106

5,584

S.E. Idaho

• May 24, 2014

• #5

mrkyoung said:

i'v been having an issue with my smoker running hot. I'm on my third smoke, i filled the bowl with water, i closed all the vents. I have a pit master iq attached with a maverick thermometer. I put one chimney full of unlit charcoal, and put one chimney of lit charcoal on top, i'm wondering if maybe i'v put to much charcoal? i'm trying to get the smoker down in the 220 range and it wants to be in the 300's. Any help would be wonderful. 
Thanks,

Click to expand...

Keep the top vent opened all the way & adjust the bottom vents til ya get down to the temp your lookin for....may take em down to bout 1/4 each... It may take a few to go down but it'll get there.... Ya have to keep the airflow goin thru there... Also next time, try filling up your charcoal basket most the way with unlit briquettes & put bout a half of chimney full of lit on top of them !

 

bcbearsfan

Newbie

Oct 8, 2013

24

10

Delta B.C (just outside Vancouver)

• May 24, 2014

• #6

JP61 thanks for posting that link! :) I was looking for it but you beat me to the punch

 

heatman

Smoke Blower

Nov 20, 2011

85

32

Sheridan In.

• May 24, 2014

• #7

Mine is a 22.5 a couple years old. I normally use RO lump. 1/3 full chimney to start. Mine I run 2 bottom vents closed the other open about 1/4" to 1/2" open with the top vent the same. That will keep it around 225-240. 

 

goobi99

Meat Mopper

Jun 18, 2007

158

10

South Fla

• May 24, 2014

• #8

i found a method on this site somewhere that i have been using for a few years now...not sure what its called though.

smkr.JPG

• goobi99
• May 24, 2014

place a brick in the fire bowl as shown. add 1 lit chimney in the corner next to the brick. put in a few chunks of wood and add unlit charcoal on top  in the rest of the space.

usually goes for about 7 hours. top vent wide open and the vent naerest the fire open 1/4

ill add more pics tomorrow when i fire it up.

Welcome to the site and enjoy your new hobby !