They can help control the temperature, but I’ve always found it best to keep them open all the way from start to finish. Airflow gives every fire life, and it delivers better flavor.

Whether you’re smoking a cabbage or a big hunk of meat, temperature control is an important part of the equation, and equations have a way of not working out so well if your numbers are off.

Fire too hot, temps too low? Chuds BBQ shows you how to take full control of your offset smoker—fuel, airflow, and all. This is how real pitmasters manage perfect heat.

With the regulation of the smoker’s temperature taken care of and the meat’s internal temperature being monitored, the learning (and cooking) process is well underway.