Masterbuilt question about “vent on top”

[tinyrv]

By the way my name is Richard and I am from Salem Or. , I been using a Brinkman electric smoker, with good results-till it started to get cold out. I went out and bought a Masterbuilt electric smoker. My question has to do with the vent on top, when smoking should I leave it closed or partly open ?
Thanks
Richard v

 

[kurtsara]

I leave them open on Mine when using both of mine, although I smoke in the garage in the cold weather (not recommending this though)

 

[beer-b-q]

Hi Richard, I notice you are new here and suggest you stop in The Roll Call thread and tell us a little about yourself and your equipment. This will give everyone a chance to properly welcome you...

You should leave the vents open just like on the Bradley...

 

[allen]

I leave mine open on my MES 40"

 

[rambler]

Hello Richard. Here is a piece from another blog.
"The idea of the damper is to allow enough air to maintain heat and yet keep things from becoming an inferno. Also, realize air has to LEAVE as well."

 

[got14u]

I leave mine open except for VERY cold days I close it about half way. I have also closed it for pre-heats and after I foil what I am cooking..no smoke gets through foil so I also stop feeding wood in as well.

 

[chainsaw]

Hello and welcome,
Depends on how cold it gets-I use mine to raise and lower temps-closed it goes up, open it goes down, but below 50 degrees it struggles to keep up no matter what I do.
Remember if the vent is closed too much you can get a nasty creosote taste in the meat, might ruin your smoking plan.
Your MES has a great temperature control, but whenever you open the door it drops dramatically, and the colder it is outside, the quicker it drops.

 

[eman]

Use mine alot , Close the vent to pre heat and open it fully anytime you have smoke. After you foil you can close it .