3 Temperature Control Tips For Low And Slow Smoking: A Must-see For Beginners

[@rondellleach3582]

Best advice I've heard. Very specific details especially about making only one vent adjustment at a time. Thanks

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Glad it helped man! I need to do more of these. I just love cooking so much I get excited about doing a new recipe and forget I need to do more videos like this one.

[@GEDOHBLAZZTER]

Thank you brotha. This is my first time smoking, and I'm on an offset, I kept adding wood and adjusting BOTH vents and that's what was messing me up

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Yeah man been there and done that, lol! Just remember, the bottom vent is closest to your heat, so that’s the one that controls how hot your fire gets. Think of the top vent as exhaust and fine tuning of your grill temp.

[@eharmon959]

Thnx Ron. That uncle/dad/ brother that we needed for times like these

[@RonOnTheGrill]

I’ll be whatever you need man, lol! I appreciate that dude.

[@sevenpro]

THANK YOU! Getting into smoking and you just answered one of my biggest questions!

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Cool Leander! Glad it was here for you.

[@millenialbroadcast]

Solid info for beginners and non-beginners 👍🏾

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Thanks bro. I’m planning to do a demo cook soon showing all this stuff in real time.

[@orlandoc661]

Straight to the point. Thx for sharing

[@RonOnTheGrill]

You’re welcome! Thanks for the comment.

[@middleagedmillionaire4483]

Very good informative video! To the point and great energy!

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. And by the looks of that channel name I need to go watch YOUR videos, lol!

[@michaelblake2205]

Thank You Brother!! Very Helpful

[@RonOnTheGrill]

My pleasure man! Thanks for watching.

[@stevenygabbyperez695]

Thank you. Temperature control is tough for me as a beginner.

[@RonOnTheGrill]

You’re welcome! Any questions just reach out to me here.

[@3watsonwatson]

Thank you for the info Ron, very useful. I was also the one who run back and forth to make adjustments...lol

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Right, lol! Thanks for watching bro, glad it helped!

[@tulsajeff]

Ron… Great information! You are inspiring me to get my kettle grill back out and fire it up!😀

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Thanks Jeff! Man I love this thing. I did lots of research before I bought one, and as soon as I got it my skill level improved dramatically. and it’s a grill you’ll never outgrow, at any skill level. BTW I’ll be trying your Smoked Mac N Cheese recipe very soon.

[@jamesmiles9726]

I have only had my Weber kettle for two months, and thank you for sharing your experience 😊. I was getting so frustrated 😠 😡

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Glad it helped! Anything you’d like to see me cover let me know.

[@johnculp1265]

Thanks man I’ve been having a lot of trouble with it. Hoping to try this on a brisket this week!😊

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Cool! when setting up for a low and slow cook many guys start with the bottom vent 3/4ths closed and the top vent wide open. Then as the smoker starts getting closer to the target range (225-250) they’ll start to close that top vent down to half closed to slow the temp down and get it settled into the target range.

[@johnculp1265]

@@RonOnTheGrillGood to know. I’ve always had both wide open but that sounds like a better plan!

[@Sola_Scriptura_1.618]

Great tips and helpful. I would add the amount of charcoal to the equation. The more charcoal, the more energy, the hotter, and the longer you can bbq. The output vent controls the flow of heat. The flow impacts the heat as well as the duration. The input and output vents need to be dialed in accordingly. I would spend a few hours playing with the adjustments before putting meat on the grill. If you decide to learn in real time, start with a low-cost protein; chicken is an excellent place to start.

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Good stuff Fonzie! You’re on point with the chicken recommendation. In fact I think Chicken thighs are one the best choices out there.

[@stanleywatkins8264]

Great info and you explained it well, I will keep this in mind.

[@RonOnTheGrill]

What's going on old friend! Glad you stopped by man, thanks!

[@ChefVicCuisine]

Excellent tips here! Thanks for sharing Chef Ron!

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Thanks Chef!

[@IntheKitchenwithKaren]

Hey Ron!! These tips were very helpful. We have a Weber kettle grill and Im not always sure of the vent situation..So thanks for showing us these tips!

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Thanks Karen! I didn’t know you grill too. And you’re a fellow “Kettlehead” to boot! Thanks for watching friend.

[@rayratliff9772]

Kettle Head and Bullet Smoker here, nice vid! Ron you should be on the radio with that smooth voice! #IsaacOut

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Ray that's mighty kind of ya bruh! Personally I think I sound kinda country, lol! I'm sure being born and raised in Texas all my life has nothing to do with it though, lol! Thanks for the good word, man.

[@TheOrganizedPineapple]

Thank you for the great tips! Looks like a nice day there! About 80 here! Great day for grilling!

[@RonOnTheGrill]

You’re welcome friend! It was a nice day indeed. Chilly but sunny and no wind, perfect! Nice to see you, thanks for stopping by!

[@billbeliakoff5589]

I found that keeping the top vent opposite the coals and all the way open and adjusting the bottom vents works best.

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Good info! I’ve tried a few variations but I tend to use the bottom vent to get/stay in range of the temperature I want and the top vent for fine tuning and dialing things in.

[@SteveCongdon-c7g]

Great video! Just bought a kettle and am looking forward to mastering temp control. Could be awhile. But a labor of love, I think. 😊

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Just remember, the bottom vent gets you in range. The top vent is for fine tuning. So let’s say you want to be running around 250. Close your bottom vent about halfway and leave the top one open. Once you start getting close to 250, start adjusting the top vent just a little. Always give your grill time to react to your adjustment. If you’re way off from the temp you want to be adjust the bottom vent More open, more heat. More closed, less heat. . if you’re close, adjust the top vent. Same thing. Small adjustments, more open increases the temp, more closed lowers the temp.

[@bassman7496]

Great tips! I’ve been smoking for a year now and over time I have been trying new techniques! You have a new subscriber and I’m looking forward to making my own videos one day, I recently started my own facebook bbq group as well!

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Way to go baseman! Stay in touch brother. Merry Christmas!

[@bassman7496]

Merry Christmas to you as well Ron!

[@genther6668]

Just purchased an offset smoker and need advice..... Subscribed to your channel thanks

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Offsets are definitely a different animal but vent control should be pretty universal, I would think. Welcome!

[@RaceviceSmokehouse]

Really enjoyed this video! Great info my friend.

[@RonOnTheGrill]

So glad to hear it! Thanks for commenting.

[@immortalboss8312]

Thanks for the tip...very useful

[@RonOnTheGrill]

You’re welcome! Happy to help, and always looking for other problems or challenges to talk about.

[@CookingwithAnadi]

Hey Ron these are some super helpful tips! Very well explained! I don't have a grill but this was still very neat as the day I would get a grill I'd be a total beginner haha

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Hey my friend, thanks! When you get your grill come see me! I’ll help you get up to speed on it in no time.

[@abidisu1679]

Excellent tips. If the outcome of my product is to be dry with very low moisture content do I still need a tray of water. Secondly, am going to be low and smoking for days any advice on great and strong Smokey flavour

[@RonOnTheGrill]

You don’t HAVE to use a tray of water, of course. It helps keep the environment inside the grill moist and it helps regulate temperatures. But I cook without one all the time. As far as smokey flavor, my advice is to use stronger flavored woods rather than just using more smoke. Too much smoke can ruin your food. But if you use a hardwood like Hickory or Mesquite you can get stronger wood flavor without using more wood.

[@Roccopaul73]

Great stuff 💯👈🏼

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Thanks! Glad it helped.

[@SellarsfamMarine]

Great Knowledge keep it up.

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Thanks Terence!

[@SeeWhatRitasCooking]

Good info! I ain't gone use it, but it's good...lolol!!🤣😂🥰

[@RonOnTheGrill]

A comment is a comment, lol! Thanks sis!

[@Jamez64]

Thanks for the great info!

[@RonOnTheGrill]

You're welcome Jamez!

[@rjtumble]

super helpful info, thanks!

[@RonOnTheGrill]

You’re welcome! Glad it helped.

[@allenroberts3924]

Hi Ron. I have a chargrill and i have 3 vents. 1 one the right. Another under the the chimney . How should i adjust that on.

[@RonOnTheGrill]

The two vents at the bottom are just there to give you options on which end of the grill you want to put your fire on. For example, if you're placing your coals/wood on the right side of the grill use that vent and leave the other one closed. Same thing goes if you were putting your fuel (aka whatever you're burning for heat) on the other side. Use the bottom vent closest to your fire, because that vent will control the heat. If it were me and I was smoking meat, I would use the vent on the opposite side of where the chimney is, then put my meat on the on the end where the chimney is so it draws the smoke over the food as it goes out of the chimney. When you're grilling it doesn't matter which end you put your fire on. You just want to use the vent closest to the fire for heat control.

[@83devildog]

Thank you sir

[@RonOnTheGrill]

You’re welcome! Glad it helped. Feel free to reach out if there’s anything else you’d like to see me cover in a video, or if you have any questions I can answer here.

[@j.4198]

Sir, I have the same issue with a vertical propane smoker. Spent Memorial Day glue to the machine. Ready to quit.

[@RonOnTheGrill]

There’s help available for whatever you’re using. I want to recommend a facebook group to you. I know you’ll find it helpful. It’s called “Simply Smoking And BBQ”. Tell them you heard about it from Ron Cross’s youtube channel. It’s one of the best run BBQ groups I’ve been in and just about the only I go to. Join the group, agree to the rules, do a quick search for posts mentioning your smoker and then make a most introducing yourself and ask your question. The people there are friendly and helpful and they are some beasts, bro.

[@BlackCatKitchen]

Some great tips, Ron!! I saw your post on the creators group!! New sub here! 😻😻

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Thanks Dani!!

[@BlackCatKitchen]

@Ron On The Grill - It's Dani, not Ken! 😹

[@RonOnTheGrill]

@@BlackCatKitchen woah, sorry Dani! Ken has been commenting on lots of videos. Got it corrected!

[@dancoates2428]

Thank you mate

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Any time Dan!

[@ToiMinyon]

Thank you 🙏🏾

[@RonOnTheGrill]

You’re welcome!

[@ralphjohnson2171]

Thanks for the info

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Yup Yup! Anything else you need to know just reach out. Oh, and if you’d like to support the channel click that “thanks” button under the video. You’ll get some cool features too.

[@brianf9615]

Good advice.

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Thanks! Glad you found it useful.

[@sniktripn7217]

Cheers for the tips mate

[@RonOnTheGrill]

You’re welcome my friend!

[@mississippijohn1432]

Thank you

[@RonOnTheGrill]

You’re welcome! If you have any other issues or problems you’d like to see addressed in a video let me know.

[@NoBSEateries]

Nice tips and info! -S

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Hey, thanks! I appreciate you checking it out.

[@BackyardSmoke614]

awesome tips man

[@RonOnTheGrill]

I appreciate cha bro! Hope is all as well. I’m not getting your notifications as often as i used to. I’m gonna just start going to your channel regularly to see if you’ve posted anything.

[@jonlondagin8573]

Thanks G

[@RonOnTheGrill]

You’re welcome! I hope it helped.

[@jonlondagin8573]

Yeah, actually it did. I’ve got a basic charcoal grill, wasn’t sure how to regulate the heat for my steaks I cooked tonight until I watched your video. Appreciate that fam 🤙🏼 turned out bomb af

[@RonOnTheGrill]

@@jonlondagin8573 that's w'sup man! I'll tell you fam, making these videos is a LOT of work. People don't realize how much. But every time I see a comment like this all the work is worth it. Thanks for letting me know how things went.

[@nicleonard4978]

thanks Bro

[@RonOnTheGrill]

You're welcome my man! And thank YOU for being my 600th subscriber man! Hope to see you around the channel and in the comments. I enjoy talking in the comments with people who come by on a regular basis.

[@canadahq6926]

Cool bro.

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Glad it helped man! Reach out any time with questions, video requests, whatever you need.

[@johnwaugh3213]

Great video, as usual. Thanks for the great tips Ron!!

[@RonOnTheGrill]

My pleasure John! Thanks for the support brother.

[@229Duke]

I got a Weber kettle and I’m trying to hit unc status and and that mf won’t go below 300 I put a water pan in, I used a baffle to separate for indirect and a lot more any tips

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Check the vents Duke! Especially that bottom vent. If you’re trying to be under 300 that bottom vent should be somewhere between half open down to only a quarter open. Remember, the bottom vent is closest to your coals. That’s where most of the oxygen that feeds your fire will come from. So the more you close it the less oxygen you coals get and the lower the temp drops. The top vent plays a role too, but it acts more as a fine tuning vent once your grill is within the range you want it. But in addition to the vents, make sure you aren’t using way more charcoal than you actually need. Learn the Snake method and the minion method too. All Kettle owners should know those..

[@djlowtek]

Less charcoal. Keep the bottom vent only like 25% open

[@426superbee4]

I made a basket out of "1/4" hardware cloth to put pellets in. Fire it up and it smokes great. No need to buy a pellet tube. It will burn all of it up. Like a fuss

[@RonOnTheGrill]

I have a couple of them from when I had a gasser. They worked great. I could get about 3 hours of smoke from them. I bet you’re getting even better times with custom made tubes.

[@426superbee4]

@@RonOnTheGrill It just cheaper way of making smoke, the hardware cloth was just laying around Cheers buddy 👍👍

[@RonOnTheGrill]

@@426superbee4 Cheers!

[@JayLewTheTruth]

If my fire is way too hot, can I pour a little water on the coals?

[@RonOnTheGrill]

NO, don’t ever do that! To cool your fire down close the bottom vent a little. It takes a while for your grill to react, so be sure to wait at least 15 minutes before making another adjustment.

[@JayLewTheTruth]

@@RonOnTheGrill ok thank you

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Any time man. Whenever you have a question hit me up.

[@donnellholmes4246]

I was a boxer and I'm friends with Roy Jones Jr. I sent him this video and asked him were you his twin brother? 😃

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Believe it or not you're the second person to mention that resemblance!

[@chiraq1256]

Put foil on the vents and use less charcoal. This is how you control

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Now that’s a new one on me! But why would you put foil over the vents rather than just closing them?

[@starrlumpkin9513]

Yes I don’t do the aluminum foil but I do use less charcoal

[@chiraq1256]

@@starrlumpkin9513I have a large grill with a smoker. The way it closes air can still get in from the sides

[@RonOnTheGrill]

@@starrlumpkin9513 the cook always dictates how much charcoal I set up, especially when it comes to smoking, which is what this video is about. I’m going to use the snake method or the minion method every time I smoke on a charcoal grill. But how much charcoal I set up depends on how long I expect the food to take. You can’t just say “use less charcoal when ground beef takes an hour and a brisket takes 8, minimum. You’re gonna need more charcoal for 8-14 hours of cooking than you need for one hour. And regardless how much charcoal you use, you’ll need your vents to control temp.

[@Maplecook]

First!

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Yes! Thanks for watching.

[@kwamiallison3293]

I found my mistakes

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Awesome! Glad it helped.

[@scy1484]

Great advice

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Glad it helped!

[@norbertomoran4575]

thank you sir.

[@RonOnTheGrill]

You’re welcome! Always looking for topics, especially ones that people struggle with. So if you have anything you’d like to see me do a video on just let me know.

[@jarednadermann9474]

Thanks man

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Any time! Always looking for more topics to cover so reach out with questions any time.

[@joeznqld]

Thanks bro

[@RonOnTheGrill]

You’re welcome! I really want to do more videos for people who are just beginning or in the early stages. If there’s any topic you want me to cover in a video let me know.