hi there - new kettle owner - have questions

[ligrill]

I am a brand new, very happy kettle owner.    22.5 WTG.

My first question is - I noticed smoke coming out of where the dome of the kettle meets the base of the kettle - is that normal?
Mind you, it also comes out of the vent at the top as well.

Thanks and I love this thing!

[Red Kettle Rich]

Quick answer - don't worry 

Detailed answer - firstly if the food is good, see quick answer, secondly with use and gunk buildup inside the cooker it will become tighter and leak less but see firstly 

[mike.stavlund]

Depending upon how much air is leaking, you might have a situation where the lid or bowl are out of round or out of 'flat'.  Try turning the lid around on the bowl to see if it seats down better in one position rather than another. 

There are some grill engineers on this board who could give you lots of technical advice about how to assess/correct the problem, but if the grill is new, I'd suggest you call Weber Customer Service to see how they can help.

But in any case, sti is right about the bottom like: if it's making good food, you are good. ;-)  Welcome to the WKC!

[LightningBoldtz]

You may have too much smoke,  I have used the following in the past to do a better seal.

[ligrill]

this was my first smoke and the food was excellent... but just wondered if I should be concerned with a brand new grill.

I will give Weber a shout to see if they can do something.

[LightningBoldtz]

It happens, it is metal to metal so it is not a perfect seal like a Kamado grill.  I wouldn't worry a lot about it.

[Bman]

Yes, it is normal.  But I'd like to know/see how much smoke you're talking about.  Does the lid 'rock' on the base or does it sit pretty flat?

[cbpeck]

A little smoke out of the lid to bowl fit is absolutely normal when you're kettle is really smoking (usually while heating up). Once your fire has stabilized and the air flow has settled in (intake through the one touch, exhaust through the lid vent) it should be pretty minimal. If your lid rocks a little, that too is normal (loose tolerances). What is abnormal is if either your bowl or lid (usually lid) is so out of round that there is a significant gap and significant heat & smoke loss. Like others said, the first half a dozen cooks will "season" your new kettle and improve the lid seal... Unless you clean it excessively and remove that grease.

[Heyjude]

When its leaking, try twisting the lid to see if you can get a tighter seal. No grills are perfectly sealed. The added gunk will seal it up.. 

[MacEggs]

All excellent responses ... but the following really says it all ... 

Quick answer - don't worry 

Detailed answer - firstly if the food is good, see quick answer, secondly with use and gunk buildup inside the cooker it will become tighter and leak less but see firstly 

[ligrill]

Since I have only used it one time, there isn't much gunk on it. 
I will try not to worry about it but will take a pic/video next time I use the kettle to see if it's the normal amount of smoke.

Thanks for all the replies!

[One Touch Platinum]

You need to make it...not so new! Cook on it as much as you can!

[Thunder71]

Well, I look at it as heat rises... with a grill full of smoke with nowhere else to go it has to come out somewhere. I had some smoke seeping out the edge of mine over the weekend grilling burgers with a chunk of hickory on the coals, when I'd remove the cover there was a ton of smoke.

[Bman]

Well, I look at it as heat rises...

Not to be an ass, but that's how this is going to sound.... 
Heat doesn't 'rise'.  Heat dissipates in 360 degrees.  Warm air rises.

[jamesnomore]

Well, I look at it as heat rises...

Not to be an ass, but that's how this is going to sound.... 
Heat doesn't 'rise'.  Heat dissipates in 360 degrees.  Warm air rises.

That's so Sheldon...sorry. Just could not resist  for the record I get lid smoke right after the wood goes on, I feel it's because I have chips. It seems chunks are better or that the more tenured drillers use mostly chunk.