How do you use the vents of the barbecue?
6 steps before using the ventilation holes
- You have a barbecue with a lid seals properly, so heat doesn't escape.
- The barbecue is protected from the wind.
- Enough charcoal or briquettes are burning in the barbecue.
- You leave the lid closed as much as possible so no heat can escape.
- You wear fire-resistant gloves when adjusting the vents.
- You know the setting the bottom ventilation grid of the barbecue is set to.
Note: you can't see the slider when the BBG is filled with briquettes.
Option 1 and 2: high temperatures
Option 1. Bottom vent and top vent open
This option allows a lot of oxygen into the BBQ. The lower vent is open and draws in as much oxygen as possible and feeds it to the fire. The top vent is open and vents the burned hot gases so they aren't absorbed by the meat. This is the perfect situation for:
- Lighting your barbecue
- Reaching high temperatures for direct grilling (175+ degrees).
Option 2. Bottom vent half open, top vent open
This way, less oxygen moves through the barbecue compared to if the bottom grid being completely open. This method is suitable for grilling at a lower temperature, such as grilling a roast indirectly. This is the ideal situation for:
- Reaching the right temperatures for indirect grilling (120 to 175°C).
Option 3 and 4: low temperatures
Option 3. Bottom vent open, top vent half open
Smoking a dish is done by drawing in as much oxygen as possible and not venting a lot of smoke. The venting is limited because the top vent is only half open. Do make sure that the top vent is right above the dishes. This way, you reach relatively low temperatures, get a lot of smoke in the barbecue, and lead the smoke past the dishes. This is the perfect situation for:
- Smoking dishes at 100 to 150 degrees
Option 4. Bottom vent and top vent closed
If you close the vents all the way, no oxygen will enter the barbecue. The charcoal or briquettes will stop burning. You only use this option if you want to extinguish the barbecue. Note: a BBQ won't extinguish right away when you close the vents. This can take up to several hours.
Conclusion
Using the 4 vent settings above will get you a long way when it comes to regulating the temperature in your barbecue. Do note that every barbecue is different. The way in which you adjust the vents and the amount of oxygen that passes through the barbecue is different for each one. These are mostly guidelines. You have to get a feel for how to control your vents. Practice makes perfect, so get grilling every sunny day.
