Weber Kettle Club Forums

Hi all-  I've really been enjoying my new 22" Kettle, pretty much addicted at this point! Ready to move up to a more involved cook so I'm researching/planning for either Baby Back Ribs or about a 5lb Boston Butt. Either way, I want to do them low and slow around 250F (225-275). I was hoping some of you could share some of your low and slow "go-to" settings for the top & bottom vents on your 22" kettles. Even the amounts of charcoal you use (lit & unlit) would be awesome as well.

Seems like I've seen bottom vent 1/4 open & top vent 1/2 open a few times as a popular choice.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I never mess with the top vent...it's always wide open.  Bottom vent (unless you are running a three wheeler) just cracked.  A snake works very well as far as coal set up.

Last cook I ran a 2x1 snake and had the bottom vent just cracked open and the top about half way. I only touched the top vent a couple times and settled just under 250 for 6 hours, but your ambient temps will also have to be factored in.

I do bottom vent slightly open and adjust top as needed throughout the cook.  Play with your bottom vent ahead of time and make some marks on the ash catcher showing 1/4 and 1/2 open so you know where you are at.  During the cook you usually can't see the openings to know where the vents are set. 

Quote from: blksabbath on August 15, 2018, 09:45:51 AM
I never mess with the top vent...it's always wide open.  Bottom vent (unless you are running a three wheeler) just cracked.  A snake works very well as far as coal set up.

This. You want the top wide open for as much exhaust that you can get.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This is all very helpful y'all! Much appreciated. Curious about this here though:

Quote from: kettlebb on August 15, 2018, 03:44:09 PM

Quote from: blksabbath on August 15, 2018, 09:45:51 AM
I never mess with the top vent...it's always wide open.  Bottom vent (unless you are running a three wheeler) just cracked.  A snake works very well as far as coal set up.

This. You want the top wide open for as much exhaust that you can get.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What are the benefits of getting "as much exhaust as you can get"? Is that so you don't over smoke your meats, or smother your coals?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote from: Twangin on August 15, 2018, 04:26:31 PM
This is all very helpful y'all! Much appreciated. Curious about this here though:

Quote from: kettlebb on August 15, 2018, 03:44:09 PM

Quote from: blksabbath on August 15, 2018, 09:45:51 AM
I never mess with the top vent...it's always wide open.  Bottom vent (unless you are running a three wheeler) just cracked.  A snake works very well as far as coal set up.

This. You want the top wide open for as much exhaust that you can get.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What are the benefits of getting "as much exhaust as you can get"? Is that so you don't over smoke your meats, or smother your coals?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Cleaner burning fire and smoke if you're using wood chunks. 


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I go with 1/2 open on the bottom and 1/2 open on the top.  Works well for me.

Sent from my LG-TP260 using Weber Kettle Club mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=91018)

Thanks for the tips! Gonna give ribs a try this weekend


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote from: michaelmilitello on August 15, 2018, 04:30:13 PM

Quote from: Twangin on August 15, 2018, 04:26:31 PM
This is all very helpful y'all! Much appreciated. Curious about this here though:

Quote from: kettlebb on August 15, 2018, 03:44:09 PM

Quote from: blksabbath on August 15, 2018, 09:45:51 AM
I never mess with the top vent...it's always wide open.  Bottom vent (unless you are running a three wheeler) just cracked.  A snake works very well as far as coal set up.

This. You want the top wide open for as much exhaust that you can get.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What are the benefits of getting "as much exhaust as you can get"? Is that so you don't over smoke your meats, or smother your coals?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Cleaner burning fire and smoke if you're using wood chunks. 


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

With wood chunks I leave it wide open...Just charcoal, I can close it a bit without causing "bad" smoke...

...doesn't  leaving the top vents wide open, cause the charcoal to burn quicker though?

I would have thought that keeping the vents almost fully closed would cause the charcoal to burn longer and hotter, no?

Quote from: deans6571 on August 17, 2018, 07:36:23 AM
...doesn't  leaving the top vents wide open, cause the charcoal to burn quicker though?

I would have thought that keeping the vents almost fully closed would cause the charcoal to burn longer and hotter, no?

No. Open vents equals hotter and faster.

I crack the lower vent and will close top vent to half when needed to achieve lower temp.


Sent from my iPhone using Weber Kettle Club mobile app (https://siteowners.tapatalk.com/byo/displayAndDownloadByoApp?rid=91018)

Quote from: deans6571 on August 17, 2018, 07:36:23 AM
...doesn't  leaving the top vents wide open, cause the charcoal to burn quicker though?

I would have thought that keeping the vents almost fully closed would cause the charcoal to burn longer and hotter, no?

Keeping all the vents mostly closed will cause coals to burn longer but not hotter...Less air means less fire...So less heat...
With added smoke wood less air means inadequate burning producing acrid smoke...
Control temps with bottom vents as much as possible and mess with the top vent only when you have too...

 (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180817/70f3310e65afc32ab377ace66b5e47a8.jpg)

Quote from: bear on August 17, 2018, 03:59:05 PM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180817/70f3310e65afc32ab377ace66b5e47a8.jpg)

That's a really cool add on. Did you make it yourself?


Sent from my iPhone using Weber Kettle Club mobile app (https://siteowners.tapatalk.com/byo/displayAndDownloadByoApp?rid=91018)

That is cool looking...I just marked mine with a sharpie  8)

Quote from: bear on August 17, 2018, 03:59:05 PM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180817/70f3310e65afc32ab377ace66b5e47a8.jpg)

Man,  I could use about 6 of those... lol

Sent from my SM-G950U using Weber Kettle Club mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=91018)

I Always keep top vent closed. And cracked on the bottom. I'm able to keep it between 240-260. If it starts dropping I open the top to bring it back up.


Sent from my iPhone using Weber Kettle Club (https://siteowners.tapatalk.com/byo/displayAndDownloadByoApp?rid=91018)

Quote from: Brain_STL on August 17, 2018, 04:18:53 PM

Quote from: bear on August 17, 2018, 03:59:05 PM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180817/70f3310e65afc32ab377ace66b5e47a8.jpg)

That's a really cool add on. Did you make it yourself?


Sent from my iPhone using Weber Kettle Club mobile app (https://siteowners.tapatalk.com/byo/displayAndDownloadByoApp?rid=91018)

Found this picture on a thread here somewhere, I  can't find it now

Very interesting to hear the different methods. Goes to show everyone has their way that worked for them. Did my first low and slow ribs cook today and will be doing a write-up on it detailing everything from amount of coals to how I worked the vents. Long story short the first cook turned out GREAT but am definitely looking forward to learning how to dial in temps even better on the kettle. Thanks a bunch to you guys helping out with giving me a starting point for temp control! I'm sticking around up here


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote from: SMOKE FREAK on August 18, 2018, 04:07:35 AM
That is cool looking...I just marked mine with a sharpie  8)

Ditto


Sent from my iPad using Weber Kettle Club mobile app (https://siteowners.tapatalk.com/byo/displayAndDownloadByoApp?rid=91018)

Quote from: Brain_STL on August 17, 2018, 04:18:53 PM

Quote from: bear on August 17, 2018, 03:59:05 PM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180817/70f3310e65afc32ab377ace66b5e47a8.jpg)

That's a really cool add on. Did you make it yourself?


Sent from my iPhone using Weber Kettle Club mobile app (https://siteowners.tapatalk.com/byo/displayAndDownloadByoApp?rid=91018)

...what an awesome add on!!!
8)

I am a 1/2 n 1/2 sort of guy.  If temps drop, I open the Top Vent wide open to establish that pesky target temp. on my WSM, One vent 1/2 on the bottom with the other 2 closed and the top wide open with my Tip Top Temp dialed in.  Works for me!!!!

Just my $.02 worth...

J

Weber recommends bottom vents fully open and controlling temperature using the top vent.  I do the opposite on my kettles and WSM.  Never had a problem.  I can run 250 all day using this method.  For butts, top wide open, bottom vent 1/8 open or so.