I'm having trouble keeping my pit at temp. With the firebox door closed and vent wide open, it's not getting enough oxygen to keep the fire burning, Smoking a brisket today, I had to constantly open the door to get the temp up. My thought is that the vent is positioned too high on the door where oxygen get under the rack. I've thought about cutting a new vent at the bottom. See pics for reference, thanks for your input in advance! [GALLERY="media, 520523"][/GALLERY][/quote]
[img]https://statich.smokingmeatforums.com/smilies/others/welcome1.gif to the SMF pirk56.
Judging from your pic, for me it looks like smoke is wanting to come out your door when you have it open, Correct?
If so, that is telling me you have an issue with your exhaust and or your Smoker has cooled down to much and you lost the Drawing flow of your heat and smoke up and out of your chimney. In return causing the smoke from your fire to take the easiest path out and up when you open the door. More air intake will not fix this type of issue, I am guessing you need to look more at your path of exhaust flow out the other end of your smoker.
I just took a second look at your side pic of your rig. Gas fired on one end and wood fired on the other, is it open between the two or seperate compartments?
This information will help me with understanding your issue a little more clearly. Thanks Mike