New WSM !! But Some Questions

[pa pitmaster]

Ok, I just got my new 22.5 WSM and I'm so glad I made the move. But I have some questions for the veteran WSM users out there. This weekend I did a butt and a rack of spares, and they turned out amazing. But, I did struggle with temp control, and I think I was doing some things wrong. I used RO Lump, and filled the ring with unilt lump, and then dumped a chimney of lit lump on top.

I wasn't sure how to use the vents to maintain temp (250), but it seemed like I was doing good the first hour, then a wicked thunderstorm moved in, terrential downpour and high winds. It really threw me off my game and the temp dropped quite a bit. I opened all the vents to get it back up, then it was pretty much up and down from there. The longest stretch I was able to maintain a solid temp was about two hours, then I would have to start messing with the vents.

I guess my main questions are:

1. What is the best configuration for using the vents?

2. I really want to use lump charcoal, so what is the best set up with lump to obtian the longest burn?

Any input would be greatlyt appreciated. If the Que turned out that good with the temp control issues I was having, I can't imagine how good it's going to be when I get the temp control down. I'm officially hooked on the WSM.

 

[fpnmf]

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/search.php?search=WSM+temp+control

 

[mr500]

I have the 22.5 and I have not had any real temp problems as of yet. For one the unit is NEW and they seem to burn a lil different when they are brand spankin new. Also, did you use water in the pan? sand? etc..?

I guess most important are u using the dome thermometer to gage the smoker temp/./ Those are not that reliable and the only reason I ask is you never said what kind of thermos you have.

I use Roayal oak lump. Its the  best stuff I have found so far. And it burns HOTTTT dont really need that much. Sometimes Ill mix it with my kingsford.

I usually run my vents 100% open to start. When i hit about 180 or so I close one completely, and the other two about 1/4 to 1/2 open. I can run that way for hours unless it gets cold or something in the wee hours of the morning.  I always keep my dome vent open 100% all the time. Once she gets up the higher temps she will stay there for hours if you choke the air back.

Remember when you change the vents, give it at least 15 min to take the change that you made. Least that works for me.

 

[pa pitmaster]

Thanks for the tips. Much appreciated. I filled the water pan on my first cook, and I was using the thermometer that came with the cooker. Needless to say I just ordered the Maverick ET732 and the BBQ Guru eyelets.

I'm throwing a pretty big bash this weekend for my son's 1st birthday party. There's going to be about 50 people so I'm doing 4 butts, and I want to make sure I have all my ducks in a row. I'd like to start everything before I go to bed, but I'm not confident yet that I can lock in a temp for that long without keeping an eye on it. I'm tempted to use Kingsford Blue for this cook, until I get a little more practice the WSM. I love using Lump, but it seems like lump always requires more attention ( and with me, leaves room for error). Do you get long cooks out of lump?

 

[bar-b-que blues]

I'm pretty new to the WSM, but I also, haven't had any problems with temp... I have only used Kingsford blue so far... I have noticed that you do need to be around for temp adjustment... I am running, more often than not, about 1/8 to 1/4 inch on the bottom vents... and the same for the top... I can pretty much regulate temp with just the top vent... more open = hotter. I'm still in the learning phase, but have yet to have any problems. With a fiddle every half hour or so... I can maintain 5-10 degrees no prob... Just remember... Minute adjustments... It'll take a few mins for temp to adjust, so be patient... Hope this helps...

BBB

 

[mr500]

Thanks for the tips. Much appreciated. I filled the water pan on my first cook, and I was using the thermometer that came with the cooker. Needless to say I just ordered the Maverick ET732 and the BBQ Guru eyelets.

I'm throwing a pretty big bash this weekend for my son's 1st birthday party. There's going to be about 50 people so I'm doing 4 butts, and I want to make sure I have all my ducks in a row. I'd like to start everything before I go to bed, but I'm not confident yet that I can lock in a temp for that long without keeping an eye on it. I'm tempted to use Kingsford Blue for this cook, until I get a little more practice the WSM. I love using Lump, but it seems like lump always requires more attention ( and with me, leaves room for error). Do you get long cooks out of lump?

 Yeah the dome temp is not that good. Better than some but not great. The mav is the shytz. you can set the alarm, take a nap. If the cooker tempa falls out of ur set range the alarm goes off. You can napp a lil like that and I love it. If ur doin 4 butts, id fill the ring all the way up. make a holes in the center of the coals and dump  a full chimney in that hole. close her up for 5 min then add ur meat. works great for me that way. U will need to add water, but you can put sand in the water pan and they say thats fine. Jjust whatever u do foil it. makes clean up a breeze.  Lump for me seems to run hotter. I cut my bottom vents down a lil more. BUT i mostly use kings blue and I cna go hoursssssss with that stuff.  Set it and forget it for up to 7 hours 

 I ALWAYS keep my dome vent open 100%. I control my heat with bottom. I do not want to take a chance and build up creosote in my cooker which can happen with closing the dome vent.

 

[damon555]

I've got temp control down pretty good with my 22.5 WSM....get it up to 180-190 or so and close all but one bottom vent (depending on the wind) and make adjustments with one vent. I usually end up with my open vent about 1/2 way. The top vent stays open.

This is using kingsford blue but I would assume that it will work with all the different types of fuels.
 

 

[jirodriguez]

Take a look down by my signature, there is a link to my under $5 eyelet mod.