Kettle leaking smoke

[7x57mm]

For this upcoming weekend cook, I'm going to trying stacking the unlit briquettes in the SnS using the "snake" method if you will (rows...side by side and on top) as opposed dumping the unlit coals in. I might be able to control the burn rate better if the briquettes are placed in an orderly fashion...which might to help minimize temp spikes. The idea is probably all wet but what the hey

[Craigar]

For this upcoming weekend cook, I'm going to trying stacking the unlit briquettes in the SnS using the "snake" method if you will (rows...side by side and on top) as opposed dumping the unlit coals in. I might be able to control the burn rate better if the briquettes are placed in an orderly fashion...which might to help minimize temp spikes. The idea is probably all wet but what the hey

I have thought about doing the same thing you have talked about, just for kicks & giggles. I will be interested to see how it turns out.

[fzxdoc]

7x57mm Is is possible to crimp a 5x3 strip of doubled heavy duty Al foil around the closed rim where it leaks? I do that all the time with my PBC where the lid leaks. It drops the temperature immediately.

Kathryn

[CeramicChef]

My thoughts exactly! +1^

[David Parrish]

You absolutely do not need to arrange your charcoal when using the SnS. Just pack it in as much as you can. The SnS works for you to keep the charcoal burning consistently. Whenever your temps are fluctuating it's an airflow issue.

[Medusa]

I can attest to the fact that you do not need to snake it. Just follow the Boss's instructions with the SnS. Works like a charm every time. --Ed

[7x57mm]

Thanks all! fzxdoc, I will try the Al foil trick this weekend (this place is awesome for answers!) PB, I promise...no snakes in the Sns! I wish I could upload a .MOV file showing the amount of smoke that leaks from my kettle. Y'all will either tell me I'm crazy or tell me to buy another kettle

[MBMorgan]

You can upload your video to YouTube then post a link to it here.

[Medusa]

Methinks that a really good gasket is going to be your best bet. I can get away with 4 binder clamps on my OTS, but I have minimal leakage without them. Good luck! --Ed

[7x57mm]

I couldn't upload the .MOV file from my 'puter but my daughter uploaded it from my phone...love technology savvy kids

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-G4m9B5op4

This is the minimum amount of smoke that will leak when I wiggle the lid to the "perfect" spot. I'll show the same angle tomorrow using fzxdoc 's Al foil crimp trick.

[David Parrish]

That's too much leakage to reliably hit 225 F. Try hugging your lid to get it to lay more evenly against the bowl. I admit I'm surprised the clips don't work. They should. Maybe you do actually have a bad lid.

[7x57mm]

Thanks David Parrish . I've tried bear hugging the lid months ago but it didn't help (but then again, I did it gingerly to avoid over springing). I'm going to try fzxdoc 's foil crimp tomorrow to see if it corrects the leak. I sent an email to Weber customer service last Tuesday to see what they suggest. (Weber came through with a new lid!)

[Medusa]

I didn't catch how long you've had the grill, but perhaps Weber will replace the lid. Agree with the Boss that there is way too much leakage, especially from that 1 area in the video. --Ed

[7x57mm]

Hi Ed, I bought my Performer in either 2013 or 2014. I had an original kettle for 20+ years prior (almost all searing and roasting) but never really tried smoking meats until I purchased the performer. I spoke to Weber customer service when I first purchased it (tried smoking ribs on my second cook...failure due to not knowing what to do ) and I was told that kettles will leak so nothing to worry about. I smoked a few butts and chicken using the snake method but never got the type of results that moved me forward to try new things. It wasn't until I purchased the SnS last year, with a focus on learning how to smoke meat, and getting educated by AR and various BBQ web pages, did I realize the leaky kettle was an issue. Thanks to AR, I've smoked many a great pork butt, chicken and sausages...despite the high heat my kettle runs at. Ribs...ribs are another story...and I blame the high heat..not my ability to transform...at least until I get temp under control and then I will have no excuse

[Medusa]

Hi 7x57mm,

225 and 325 (IMHO) are the Holy Grail, and sometimes you just might not be able to achieve and maintain. You will see many posts on this site where many folks usually end up cooking higher, I know that I do. Sometimes I am running ribs in the 230's - 240's, pork loin roast, ham in the 340's+.

I had horrible temps during my first calibration with the SnS. One thing you can do is get a water bottle and spritz the lid if you want to bring the temp down a few degrees. You can also spritz unlit coals next to the lit coals. You could try setting the vents when the grate temp hits 150, but it will take longer to hit the 225 mark. The last rib cook I set the vents at 140. The total time to 225 beginning from the time the coals were lit was 58 minutes. I did absolutely nothing other than let the cook run in the mid 230's with a peak @243.

Also, keep in mind it generally takes about 10 minutes or so after you adjust vents to notice a change in grate temp.

I haven't done a great number of cooks, but I have had great results with the SnS with ribs. I always try to cook pork loin ribs ( not babybacks ) or SLC's when I can get the SLC's at a good price.

Keep trying - You'll Get It!

Here's the ribs from the cook mentioned above:



Below is a chart of an earlier rib cook than the one mentioned above: This one ran a little hot, and I did spritz the lid a few times.

[RonB]

Great looking ribs and graph.

[7x57mm]

Awesome looking ribs...and data! Are you an engineer by chance?

[Medusa]

Thanks! Computer Scientist.

[DWCowles]

Looks like a gasket should do the trick > www.bbqgaskets.com

[7x57mm]

I may he heading in that direction DWCowles . I'm 45 minutes into a brisket point cook using fzxdoc 's Al foil crimp trick. It is still leaking "light" wisps of smoke but FAR FAR less than usual. I'm currently running at 232 deg with the SnS recommended settings.

[NorthOfTheBorder]

I've been having problems with the leaking lid too . I called Weber and with in 5min they are sending out a new lid. I'll see if this fixes the problem if not I'll try the Gasket

[7x57mm]

NorthOfTheBorder , is your original kettle lid out of round? I put mine on a flat surface and it seemed steady...no wobble.

[NorthOfTheBorder]

7x57mm I Don't think it is but I'm going to measure it when I get home. I've had it for a year now and it's always leaked.

[DWCowles]

All kettles will leak. I have four of them (one still in the box) but the three that I used does leak.