Understanding Airflow in Offset Smokers: A Guide to Perfect Smoke Control

If you've been smoking meat for awhile, then you know temperature and smoke control are the key to a perfect cook. 

If you have a Lone Star Grillz offset smoker, you're going to have an adjustable smoke stack. This will allow you to either keep smoke in the chamber, or to release that smoke as needed.

You'll also have an intake vent which brings oxygen into the unit, controlling the heat of your unit's flame.

But when do you keep the smoke, and when do you release it? When should you be messing with the intake valve? These are the questions of a master meat smoker! 

Consistency is Key

The real challenge of smoking is keeping your meat at a consistent temperature. Go too low or too high, and you won't get the results you're looking for. 

Usually, you're going to try to keep the temperature between 200℉ and 275℉. The exact temperature will depend on the wood you choose to use. Remember you want thin, blue smoke, not white smoke. If you have thick, white smoke you'll want to let some air out to get the correct smoke for great flavor.

If you've been smoking meat for awhile, then you know temperature and smoke control are the key to a perfect cook. 

If you have a Lone Star Grillz offset smoker, you're going to have an adjustable smoke stack. This will allow you to either keep smoke in the chamber, or to release that smoke as needed.

You'll also have an intake vent which brings oxygen into the unit, controlling the heat of your unit's flame.

But when do you keep the smoke, and when do you release it? When should you be messing with the intake valve? These are the questions of a master meat smoker! 

Consistency is Key

The real challenge of smoking is keeping your meat at a consistent temperature. Go too low or too high, and you won't get the results you're looking for. 

Usually, you're going to try to keep the temperature between 200℉ and 275℉. The exact temperature will depend on the wood you choose to use. Remember you want thin, blue smoke, not white smoke. If you have thick, white smoke you'll want to let some air out to get the correct smoke for great flavor.

You'll need to keep the intake vent just open enough to keep that temperature consistent, which may take a little bit of experimentation on your part. After that, you'll leave it alone.

You generally will keep the smokestack open as you bring the unit up to temperature, and then close it a little until you see the temperature stabilize. 

After that you shouldn't have to mess with either one anymore, at least not if you're using an LSG grill. Having to mess with the outtake or intake too much is a sign of a leaky smoker, and our smokers are engineered to prevent that problem. 

Adjusting Smoke for Flavor

There are some advanced techniques you can use which will call for letting a bit more smoke out of the unit towards the end of the cooking process. You might open the damper all the way towards the end of the process to ease off on the smoky flavor. 

Wireless Remote Thermometers Help

Most of our grills and smokers come with a wireless remote thermometer. We know you don't want to stand right at your smoker the entire time it's cooking, watching what the thermometer does. We all have too much to do.

Instead, you can set the temperature on your phone, monitor it while you do other things, and adjust airflow as needed.

Enjoy Amazing Smoked Meat at Home

Incredible smoked meat starts with Lone Star Grillz offset smokers. Visit our shop to find yours today.

You'll need to keep the intake vent just open enough to keep that temperature consistent, which may take a little bit of experimentation on your part. After that, you'll leave it alone.

You generally will keep the smokestack open as you bring the unit up to temperature, and then close it a little until you see the temperature stabilize. 

After that you shouldn't have to mess with either one anymore, at least not if you're using an LSG grill. Having to mess with the outtake or intake too much is a sign of a leaky smoker, and our smokers are engineered to prevent that problem. 

Adjusting Smoke for Flavor

There are some advanced techniques you can use which will call for letting a bit more smoke out of the unit towards the end of the cooking process. You might open the damper all the way towards the end of the process to ease off on the smoky flavor. 

Wireless Remote Thermometers Help

Most of our grills and smokers come with a wireless remote thermometer. We know you don't want to stand right at your smoker the entire time it's cooking, watching what the thermometer does. We all have too much to do.

Instead, you can set the temperature on your phone, monitor it while you do other things, and adjust airflow as needed.

Enjoy Amazing Smoked Meat at Home

Incredible smoked meat starts with Lone Star Grillz offset smokers. Visit our shop to find yours today.