My smoker kept dying on me during long cooks, and I was ready to toss it.

I was so fed up when it would cut out halfway through a brisket, wasting hours of work. I mean, I checked the fuel and the thermometer, but it still happened. Then I noticed the air intake was clogged with old ash and grease. After cleaning it out real good, the heat stayed steady for the whole cook. Now I make sure to clean the intake before every long smoke. It fixed the problem and saved me from buying a new rig. Maybe it's just me, but that simple check made all the difference.

2 comments

2 Comments

anthony4262d ago

My old Weber bullet smoker did the same thing until I started taking the whole lower bowl apart. A thick layer of compacted ash builds up under the charcoal grate and blocks those bottom vents completely. Now I use a cheap putty knife to scrape it clean after every two or three cooks.

christopher_wilson2d ago

Ever check the little vent holes at the bottom? A clog there from ash will starve your fire every time.