quick question about air vents

[bassrocker4u2]

i just got a char-broil silver, with the offset firebox. i was wondering...
simple really...
i have two air vents on the fire box. one below the firelline, and one above the fire line. i would like to know how they affect what and how they should be used.
now i know, that opening them gets more air in there, and will help the fire breath, but i dont understand which one does what, and when i should open one instead of the other, or what affect each one separately has one the fire/entire operation.

thanks!!!!
mike

 

[richtee]

Hia Bass. I gotta admit ignorance here...only SFB I ever use is bro Marktee's and it has one vent.

But if I were to hazard a guess... I'd say the lower vent will do more to increase temps/burn rate, and the upper for more flow thru smoker with a more modest temp raising effect.

Assuming this, as your pit comes up to proper/desired temps, dampen the bottom and open the top a like amount?

All conjecture here, but was fun to think about! A pro'll be by soon with the right answers LOL! Enjoy the new cooker!

 

[geek with fire]

(that Pro Rich was talking about.....I aint him)

I'm having a hard time wraping my brain around this one. I'm sure there's a good reason for it, but I can't come up with it. I'm thinking that if you opened the top damper, it would do nothing but draw smoke and heat out of the box, which is perhaps the purpose; to reduce a spike. Boy, I dunno, ya' got me. I sure hope somebody who knows comes by, 'cause this is going to cause me to lose sleep!

 

[mossymo]

Richtee's thoughts make sense to me (that's scary !!!). Botton vent fuels the (fire) and upper vent gives additional breathing.....

 

[nh3b's]

No pro here either,

Richtee guess makes sence to me too. I also would think that it would make your fire burn more evenly? Top coals and bottom coals?

I saw the new style Char broil with the 2 dampers. Its a good question.

 

[cman95]

My sfb has 2 vents, both controled by one lever. They both open equally. Try to open both the same and try that. My .02

 

[bassrocker4u2]

thanks for the tips. man, i got work to do... it sure wa easier with my big ole home-made rig.
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