To us, “low ‘n slow” means 225 – 250 F. If your grill is settling in at 240-250 F, don’t fight it! The food will still be amazing (and be done just a little quicker!). If you’re struggling just to get into the 225 – 250 range, here are a few tips:
- Don’t be afraid to close down your vents until they look almost closed. The Slow ‘N Sear makes charcoal burn much more efficiently and doesn’t need as much air as you may be used to.
- Check your lid for leaks. If you’re seeing smoke pour out from the sides of the kettle, you have a leaky lid. We regularly use binder clips on our kettles. Here’s a video to show you how they work.
- Your lid may also be out of round. Lay it on a flat surface and see if it rocks in any direction. If so, give your lid a gentle “hug” to get it back into shape.
- If you’ve overshot your desired temperature and are looking to cool the coals down quickly, take a spray bottle filled with water to the coals.
Keep in mind, the Slow ‘N Sear is a tool that makes steam, heat, and smoke production more consistent but it does not provide air control. See our lighting instructions and temperature maintenance page for tips and techniques for mastering temperature control. Getting to know your kettle and the specifics of air flow with your particular grill will have you achieving this level of temperature control in no time!
