Smokeware Chimney Cap -- got one, how best do i use it?

Beaumonty

I got a birthday gift--a smokeware Chimney Cap--that I did not ask for but i am thrilled to have.  I think.

My concern is how to figure out the settings.  I usually keep the daisy wheel closed but the almond-shaped holes fully open and just use the bottom vent for temp control.  don't really know where to begin on the Smokeware cap.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.

also, i saw that people install the gasket on the inside of the cap sleeve.  Is that the way to go?

finally, i also saw that you can keep the vent open to prevent mold growth.  Anyone have experience with keeping it partially open (since it's rain proof) I also keep it under a canopy anyway.

so, any tips/hints/thoughts on using it would be appreciated.

Fred19Flintstone

The setting info you're asking for is best gained through experience.  Just install it and let the games begin!  It's not too hard, honest.  As far as where the gasket goes.  Some like it on the inside of the cap, some like it on the egg.  I like mine on the egg so I can clean the cap better.  ive never had a mold issue here in Michigan so I don't know.

edit:  Welcome!

dldawes1

I agree with Fred19Flintstone.   I always leave openings in smokeware cap wide open and control with bottom vent.  Just the way I do it.  Everyone has their method !!

1move

Throw it on and learn, simple as that. Each egg acts differently so my settings might be different than yours. It's a quick learning curve just like anything else on the egg.

jaydub58

You won't have any problem learning it, just start cooking and pay attention to your settings.
Enjoy!

Jeepster47

Look at this (http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1177823/settings-daisy-wheel-to-smokeware-cap/p1) discussion to see the background calculation on the petals open vent area for Ugly Daisy.

The old SW cap (no taper) needed a 1/2" opening to match Ugly Daisy.

The new SW cap (with taper) needs a 1" opening to match Ugly Daisy.

skroll116

As far as the gasket goes, are you removing the existing and replacing it with what was included or are you using both?

RRP

I think I started the promotion of placing the adhesive gasket not on the BGE as recommended, but inside the cap itself. I have sent recanted that thought as in time you will want to clean your SmokeWare cap and having that gasket inside while using Easy Off oven cleaner is a hassle. BTW if your egg is a newer one and already has a gasket, just save the one that came with your new cap as there is no need for 2. HTH

blasting

RRP said:

I think I started the promotion of placing the adhesive gasket not on the BGE as recommended, but inside the cap itself. 

  Ahh, so it was you who gave me that idea....  I did that, and will second the idea that for cleaning reasons, put the gasket on the egg - not the cap.

I've been using it without a gasket for the last week or two with no issues, fwiw.

RRP

blasting said:

RRP said:

I think I started the promotion of placing the adhesive gasket not on the BGE as recommended, but inside the cap itself. 

  Ahh, so it was you who gave me that idea....  I did that, and will second the idea that for cleaning reasons, put the gasket on the egg - not the cap.

guilty as charged, but big enough to recant  

Focker

Staci and I melted one of the original gaskets onto her large during a clean burn.  It ran down the whole dome.  Good times removing it off the crazing, we got it off though.  Even tossed the collar into a fire.  Staci's emails are the reason why Matt changed to Nomex.  I'm pretty proud of that Fock up.  Immediately changed my two with Permatex Ultra Copper and Rutland after melting hers.  The collar is so tight with the Rutland, it is a part of the dome now, and I will never remove it.

I too, keep my things clean.  But man, you guys take it to another level removing the cap to clean. 

RRP

Focker said:

Staci and I melted one of the original gaskets onto her large during a clean burn.  It ran down the whole dome.  Good times removing it off the crazing, we got it off though.  Even tossed the collar into a fire.  Staci's emails are the reason why Matt changed to Nomex.  I'm pretty proud of that Fock up.  Immediately changed my two with Permatex Ultra Copper and Rutland after melting hers.  The collar is so tight with the Rutland, it is a part of the dome now, and I will never remove it.

Thanks my man - I just didn't want to explain what you just did...for an obvious reason. LOL

keepervodeflame

There was a guy on here a while back, much smarter than I,  who was an engineer. He did calculations on both the original daisy wheel and the smoke ware cap and said with a very infinitesimal difference the air flow through both was pretty much the same. full is full, half is half, and 1/4 is 1/4 from one cap to the other. After reading that, I just figured it was basically the same and have cooked with it that way. I have found it to be pretty accurate

blind99

I find it very simple to use...  It sits on the ground, unused.  Tried it for awhile and just didn't care for it.  Not that it's a bad product, I just found it more of a hassle than the DFMT or whatever it's called.  So I'll keep it around for egging during really heavy rains or backup if my DFMT breaks.

Botch

I just got mine last week too.  Plan to continue to use the bottom vent as a temp control, and really wanted the Smokeware for cookin' in the rain.  Helps to not have it readjust itself when I open the grill up, also.