Vent Damper Modifications	Originally posted: 03/01/2008 Last updated: 10/10/2012

As always...click on any of the pictures to view a larger image.

Adding A Second Lid Damper

Photo 1

Photo 2

Photo 3

Bob Hunter from Orange, CA, likes to cook chicken at high temperature in his Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker. In order to increase the airflow through the cooker, he added a second vent damper to the lid.

First, you'll need to order a WSM vent damper replacement kit from Weber at 800-446-1071.

Cover the surface of the lid opposite the original vent damper with two layers of painter's tape. Place a vent damper over the tape and mark the center hole and three vent holes with a pen.

Drill the center hole with a 1/4" metal drill bit. Drill the three vent holes with a 3/4" metal drill bit. The Unibit #4 Step Drill Bit is ideal for making the 3/4" holes.

The WSM vent damper replacement kit includes fastening hardware: a 1/4-20 x 5/8" truss head screw, a 1/4" flat washer, and a 1/4-20 inch acorn nut. Use these to fasten the damper to the lid.

Bob used a BBQ Guru eyelet (Photo 2) instead of the Weber fasteners. This allows him to insert a probe thermometer through the center of the damper to measure cooker temperature.

Photo 3 shows the final installation with a probe thermometer cable running through the center of the new damper.

Marking The Vent Dampers

Photo 4

Gary Hill wanted an easy way to consistently set his vent dampers. He decided to mark the dampers using white auto pin striping tape. Five marks on the cooker body indicate closed, 1/4 open, 1/2 open, 3/4 open, and fully open. A mark on the damper itself acts as a pointer.

Gary used marking pens to color the tape, but says the colors faded over time and are difficult to distinguish. If he had it to do over again, Gary says he'd try using different length tape strips, long to short for opened to closed positions.

Photos of adding a lid damper: 2008 by Bob Hunter
Photos of marking a lid damper: 2001 by Gary Hill

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