This is open to anyone who will help me, When do I open the top vent on my BS,
and how much ? Is it for heat control or moisture ?
Typically I have the vent a third to a half open, usually a bit more when I am doing chicken. Not opening the vent enough will lead to moisture build up in the cabinet which can backtrack into the smoke generator...... not good!
Sure others will chime in as well with regards to how much to have the vent open but the big no no is to have the vent shut! :o
Manxman is right on the spot. I'll just add, I open my vent when I turn on the BS. If you want it to heat up faster, you could keep it closed until the first puck (bisquette) moves to the hot plate, but I would still have a little concern about moisture from the water pan building up and backing up into the generator. There is a member who had a problem when keeping the vent closed, moisture would back up into the generator, the puck would absorb the moisture, swell and then would jam up the generator.
Thanks manxman and H.S., That explains some past problems and some future
successes. Once last fall I had a regular lake in my BS.