Trouble Keeping Fire Clean in Hot Weather

[zwis212]

I have an OK Joe Highlands offset smoker and have been using really small splits of wood over the past 7 months or so and everything has been pretty smooth. But today is the hottest day by far that I've smoked and I'm somehow struggling to keep a clean fire burning. Previous smokes have been anywhere from 30 to 60 degrees F. Today is around 90 and heat index over 100.

The smoker is in the sun getting super hot just from that and my usual fires are burning too hot for today. But when I try and cut back a little I seem to just be getting a lot of smoke. Also can't seem to get any draw from the smoke stack like in colder weather.

Anyone have any thoughts or tips fro smokin in warm weather and struggling to keep a clean fire burning?

Makes me wish we had a little colder of weather back today haha

 

[1MoreFord]

What temp are you trying to cook at?

 

[JWFokker]

If you're at 300 or under, I'd just roll with it and adjust to the meat cooking faster than usual. Much above 300 and I'd say switch to lump charcoal and chunks of wood so you can have a small fire without it smoldering.