A Smoker Fell Into My Lap. I Couldn't Resist

WeberWho

@The Cen-Tex Smoker
@HeavyG

Do you guys use the top cover with a live fire going?

I played around with it on and off the last cook. I noticed after adding splits it would build up white smoke (I'd assume the lack of oxygen while the splits are trying to ignite) but would dissappear shortly after. Do you guys hold off and wait to put the top cover back on until everything is fully ignited? It didn't seem long enough where the white smoke was going to effect anything. 

Im interested to hear if you do use the top and when?

Thanks 

The Cen-Tex Smoker

WeberWho said:

@The Cen-Tex Smoker
@HeavyG

Do you guys use the top cover with a live fire going?

I played around with it on and off the last cook. I noticed after adding splits it would build up white smoke (I'd assume the lack of oxygen while the splits are trying to ignite) but would dissappear shortly after. Do you guys hold off and wait to put the top cover back on until everything is fully ignited? It didn't seem long enough where the white smoke was going to effect anything. 

Im interested to hear if you do use the top and when?

Thanks 

I never use the top. I actually usually stack a piece of wood sticking out over the top of the firebox just to get it breaking down a little quicker. I’ve read bill talk about both (using the lid and stacking an extra piece of wood). It was a while ago so I don’t really recall what he was saying about the lid. 

The Cen-Tex Smoker

Plus it would get so hot you would have to wear gloves to add wood. I’m not putting in gloves every time I want to poke the fire or add wood. It would be non-stop 

HeavyG

Like @The Cen-Tex Smoker said, most of the time you probably won't see any smoke from the exhaust. That's assuming that you have a good fire going and a good coal bed.

I only asked if you saw any smoke coming out of the exhaust because if you start closing the bottom poppet you'll likely get a visual indication from the exhaust - in the form of visible smoke - that you are pulling more "dirty" smoke from the top. That might help you get a feel for what's happening with the poppets.

In regards to the lid, I almost never use the lid on the firebox. When I first got mine I did use the lid most of the time. I didn't find that it provided any significant advantage (perhaps other than saving a bit of fuel) so I don't bother with it.