Once you hit the 230-240 and it stays in that range I wouldn't fool with the vents until it gets way out of the range you want i.e. 210 or like 275 (if it was locked in at 230-240). When you make adjustments, make small ones and wait 15 to 30 minutes to see what happens. You aren't going to ruin anything by cooking in the range of 225-275. Lots of competition folks cook at 275 or even 300. Sometimes it's a gust of wind, sometimes it's the sun on the unit, lots of things can affect it, but it should stay within a small range all things equal. At the end of the cook you may need to store the coals and knock some ash off.
Either way, it's your first cook on it. It's going to take about 5-6 cooks before you get the coating in there and it won't run hot and will be easier to control. It gets easier every time you use it. I had the same issues with my 22.5 WSM at the start of using it. Now on my long cooks I can confidently go to bed, sleep 6-8 hours and know that my brisket or pork butts will be fine because if I lock it in, it'll only fluctuate 10-20 degrees either way and stabilize.
Either way, it's your first cook on it. It's going to take about 5-6 cooks before you get the coating in there and it won't run hot and will be easier to control. It gets easier every time you use it. I had the same issues with my 22.5 WSM at the start of using it. Now on my long cooks I can confidently go to bed, sleep 6-8 hours and know that my brisket or pork butts will be fine because if I lock it in, it'll only fluctuate 10-20 degrees either way and stabilize.
Comment