New Weber Gold Leaks

Hdhead · Jul 22, 2014

Fired up my shiny new Weber copper kettle for the first time for a practice cook and temperature calibration. On my old 18.5 kettle I have been sticking a digital probe in the vent so the probe was near the cooking surface. So I did the same on the new one to check. Interestingly the dome thermometer reads 25 degrees cooler than the probe closer to the cooking surface. Not sure if that is real or if the dome thermometer is out of calibration.
But my more significant concern is that with all dampers completely closed the kettle stays at 240-250 degrees until the coals burn out. I'm pretty sure that the air leak is through the bottom dampers. Will these seal up with more cooks? Also I have always conserved charcoal by snuffing out the fire but can't do that as of yet. Any experience with this is appreciated.

T&S BBQ · Jul 22, 2014

I never use snuffed out charchol, its like smoking an old, half burnt cigar, stale. It should get tighter as you use it.

SmittyJonz · Jul 22, 2014

It'll seal more as you cook more. I snuff out n reuse charcoal all the time but always mix new in with it.

Carbon · Jul 22, 2014

SmittyJonz said:
It'll seal more as you cook more. I snuff out n reuse charcoal all the time but always mix new in with it.

Agree. And same here with reusing charcoal.

My charcoal basket (in my uds) is always at least half full of used coals. I always fire new coals and dump on top of old.

ButtBurner · Jul 22, 2014

I always reuse leftover charcoal.

doesnt smell at all like an old cigar.

AClarke44 · Jul 22, 2014

Not very experienced here but I only reuse charcoal for hot fast grilling/searing. I use new charcoal when I smoke. Not sure about stale charcoal or not, I just want consistent burn times and at my level of experience I need to use new.

For grilling the reused stuff works fine though.

Oh and to stay more on topic, I agree with the others that your kettle will seal more as you use it.

Bludawg · Jul 22, 2014

I always use left over charcoal if you use lump strait out the bag it is used charcoal:doh: If your suckin air pull the self clean system apart and bend the tab where the stud goes through so when you push the stud back in and tighten the screw it pull the blades closer to the bowl. I have had do fix mine a few times when a chunk of Charcoal gets caught and tweeks the blades causing it to run on.

Untraceable · Jul 22, 2014

The one touch system is almost impossible to get a good seal on. More designed for cleaning out ashed than anything else

B-More BBQ Junkie · Jul 22, 2014

As others have mentioned, it will seal up better after a few uses. my 22.5" OTG seals up pretty good and will snuff out a fire pretty quick. I frequently reuse charcoal unless the pieces are too small and will jsut end up falling through the grates. "New" charcoal right out of the bag is after all just pre-smoldered wood anyway.

Ozric · Jul 22, 2014

ButtBurner said:
I always reuse leftover charcoal.

doesnt smell at all like an old cigar.

Same here. Except that when I tried to smell it, I burned all the hair out of my nose. So, no nose.:doh:

mchar69 · Jul 22, 2014

The one touch system is almost impossible to get a good seal on.

My three wheeler gets the nod, when a smoking session comes up that will help the UDS. I have faith in the old '99.
I have a OTG, but don't trust it to keep temp like the old battlewagon.

1buckie · Jul 22, 2014

" I have faith in the old '99."

....and the '87...and the '76....and the '69....and the......'77...and the.....

floydo · Jul 22, 2014

did a cook on my otg last week. shut it down after.
next day the kettle was still hot. opened it up and found a few burning embers. definitely a leak.

been cooking on that unit for a couple years. not new.

maybe I should throw a butt on next time I shut her down ?

1buckie · Jul 22, 2014

floydo said:
next day the kettle was still hot. opened it up and found a few burning embers.

maybe I should throw a butt on next time I shut her down ?

One possible solution i've used numerous times before..............:wink:

Not after running all nite, but TO run all nite after having coals winding down slowly & not snuffing very fast.............

dad2jsc · Jul 22, 2014

I always reuse charcoal also. Don't see a problem with that at all. :thumb: Your kettle should get tighter as you use it, but if you see a big gap with your cleaning system it can be taken apart and tweaked to make a better fit. I would keep cooking before I tweaked it.:thumb:

Fwismoker · Jul 22, 2014

I re use charcoal but it get stacked next to new and i start lighting the used on the next cook! Old lights easier, burns quick and then you're into the new....rinse-repeat

c farmer · Jul 22, 2014

Fwismoker said:
I re use charcoal but it get stacked next to new and i start lighting the used on the next cook! Old lights easier, burns quick and then you're into the new....rinse-repeat

I do the same. Also get nice smoke quicker.

seattlepitboss · Jul 23, 2014

"left over charcoal" - what is that? You mean it was heated and then let cool in an oxygen-starved environment? Oh wait - that's how they MAKE charcoal!

mchar69 · Jul 23, 2014

" I have faith in the old '99."

....and the '87...and the '76....and the '69....and the......'77...and the.....

DO SHOW US PICS of those old battlewagons!

1buckie · Jul 24, 2014

mchar69 said:
....and the '87...and the '76....and the '69....and the......'77...and the.....
DO SHOW US PICS of those old battlewagons!

Bob....mid 70's.

Lil' Red......early 70's.......the Orange.....'93........

Lulu.....'03.....

Elevator counterweight....c. 1910.....WWII aircraft tire.....with '78 Redhead .............and the wife's 2012 under cover......

Mae Belle....late 70's.....with Bob & Lulu....l to r.....

Wooden Performer.....'69.....

Brownie.....'90''''

Blue MasterTouch.....'93...........

Row of Blackies, doin' butts......

New Weber Gold Leaks

Knows what a fatty is.

is Blowin Smoke!

somebody shut me the fark up.

is Blowin Smoke!

Babbling Farker

Babbling Farker

somebody shut me the fark up.

Babbling Farker

Full Fledged Farker

Knows what a fatty is.

Quintessential Chatty Farker

Babbling Farker

Full Fledged Farker

Babbling Farker

Knows what a fatty is.

somebody shut me the fark up.

Babbling Farker

is one Smokin' Farker

Quintessential Chatty Farker

Babbling Farker

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