To close or not to close?

[cuse3378]

Hi everyone, still learning on a MES 40. Going for a turkey today, ribs came out ok and the chicken i smoked came out pretty goodlast week.Ok now to the question in the title. When you are done using wood chips the first couple hours do you close the vent for the duration of the cooking process? Thanks guys

 

[chef jimmyj]

The only time I close the vent is when I shut down to keep the Bugs out. The vent 100% open allows for Convection and more even heat throughout the smoker. If you close it you will will eventually get a hotter upper third in the Smoker just like a standard Oven gets hotter on the top. When you are generating smoke the Vent keeps fresh smoke on the meat with no stale or bitter flavor built up...JJ

 

[cuse3378]

thanks alot Jimmy, now back to my bird.