SIL is going to pay for this. After reading copious notes and paying particular attention to Al and Johnny's comments (thanks Guys!) I launched into the first run with both feet. Did the minion method with about a 1/3 full, hey, we're doing chicken thighs...... The
WSM coasted up to 200, I shut down the 2 vents, closed the 3rd to just less than half, temp moved up to 219 and locked in about 222 on the upper grid and 214 on the lower grid AND stayed there, for the duration. Recovery time after adding the chicken was great. Right back up to the same temps as before. Only used the top grid for meat. Towards the end of the smoke, I wanted to crisp up the bacon, so I opened the bottom vent and the temp rose to 234. Used only Kingsford Comp for this run. I'll save my lump for the Weber Grill until I get a better feel for the
WSM.
Modifications are in progress, of course. Just can't seem to leave somethings alone. The first was a natural: Added another coal grate to the bottom. Then installed the eyelets for the temp probes (a pair on each side, just below the top grate). Installed the 3 wheel dolly brackets on the base, not sure if I'm going to stick with that. I think I'm going to add the single post wheels and see how that goes. Have drilled the pilot holes for the addition of two 3/8th's SS rods running in parallel across the
WSM in the middle between the upper and lower shelves. Picked up this idea from Dan Cannon and his extensive notes on the care and feeding of the
WSM. I'll thread the end of the rods so I can use some wingnuts to keep the rod from slipping out. Then, there's the other idea floating around on the site about installing some Gates handles that have the center hole running the length of the handle so I can fab up some shelves to slip into the handles. The handles answer the need for use in lifting the middle section, when necessary. I'll post up some QVues of the mods to share with one and all.
And then, there's the addition of a rotisserie (which was ordered for the Weber OTG).
Now, if I could find a small diesel engine to power the wheels..... we'd really be SMOKING!! I belong to a Diesel Truck Forum (NWBombers) and we call these modifications: Bombing as in:
Better
Off
Modified
Baby.