Regulating temperature

[LexB89]

Hi,

I bought a cheap upright smoker and have had trouble regulating the temerature.

I set up the charcoal bed and got the heat up to 228 Fahrenheit. I had all the top vent and the bottom door open but couldn't get it any higher.

I heated up more charcoal in my charcoal starter and put that in. The heat then sky rocketed up to 300. I closed the vent and door and it dropped too low.

I wanted 250.

Any advise as to where I went wrong?

 

[smokerjim]

It will take some practice, not familiar with your smoker but I would try to make adjustments using your lower vent leaving the top one open. I'm sure some of the pros will be around.

 

[LexB89]

It's an upright smoker.

It doesn't have a bottom vent, just a door.

I might try putting the meat on the bottom of the two levels.

I'll try leaving the top vent open like you said tho.