Yoder Smokers Community Forum

What is the function and proper use of the damper? Do you open it up during start-up and close during the cook? Just looking for some tips or best practices.

Thanks,
Tim

I assume by your avatar you are asking about a YS1500?

It can be used to allow the left side of the cooker to get hotter, therefore changing the temp gradation at the cooking surface. It can also be used to give you a direct spot to the fire for grilling or just a hotter area to set sauce or cook chicken while still cooking other meats at a lower temp at the same time for example.

I wouldn't leave it open turning the heating up process on the YS1500 because it will throw off your temps because the thermocouple will be reading much hotter than what the cook surface really is when the door gets closed. On a wood pit, you could get away with doing that, but it's not needed.

Thanks Kirby!

You're welcome. Happy to help.