I've been cooking on my 22" Cajun/Weber WSM kit for years. That thing was temperamental, and had an affinity for higher temps. Getting it to sttle at 225° was a wrestling match with each cook, but I managed. I started saving my pennies for a new smoker. After doing due research, I settled on what seemed the best vertical smoker for my needs and price range: the Chubby 3400.
Following the instructions that came with the cooker, after it got to 225° I closed the side vents to 1/2". This did nothing to stop the temp from rising. Finally with the left vent closed completely, and the right at ~1/8", the temps started going down. And kept doing so. I had to readjust, and the temps started rising again. Not one time, during the six hour smoke, did the temps EVER stabilize. They were either going up up up, or down down down. This was just as much a wrestling match as my junky ol' bullet, if not more!
To be fair, this was my first cook with the Chubby, so smooth sailing wasn't completely expected. Still, I'm really surprised that the Backwood's instructions on fire maintenance were so off. Obviously I need to turn to the REAL experts!
Any and all advice how to keep my Chubby at a cruising altitude of ~225° without having to adjust the vents every five minutes? Thanks in advance for any help!
Following the instructions that came with the cooker, after it got to 225° I closed the side vents to 1/2". This did nothing to stop the temp from rising. Finally with the left vent closed completely, and the right at ~1/8", the temps started going down. And kept doing so. I had to readjust, and the temps started rising again. Not one time, during the six hour smoke, did the temps EVER stabilize. They were either going up up up, or down down down. This was just as much a wrestling match as my junky ol' bullet, if not more!
To be fair, this was my first cook with the Chubby, so smooth sailing wasn't completely expected. Still, I'm really surprised that the Backwood's instructions on fire maintenance were so off. Obviously I need to turn to the REAL experts!
Any and all advice how to keep my Chubby at a cruising altitude of ~225° without having to adjust the vents every five minutes? Thanks in advance for any help!
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