Grill Vents: Open or Closed? Quick Guide

Quick answer: Open both vents to light the grill and get it hot. Then control the heat with the bottom vent: open it for hotter, close it partway for cooler. Keep the top vent at least partly open so the fire doesn't choke.

What to Do When…

• Lighting the grill: both vents fully open. (New to this? See How to Start a Charcoal Grill.)
• Searing steaks or burgers: both vents fully open.
• Regular grilling (chicken, chops, sausages): bottom vent about ½ open, top vent open.
• Low and slow (ribs, brisket, pork shoulder): bottom vent about ¼ open, top vent about ½ open.
• Grill too hot: close the bottom vent a little, then wait 10 minutes before changing it again.
• Grill too cold: open the bottom vent a little, then wait 10 minutes.
• Done cooking: close both vents and the lid to put the coals out.

These are starting points. Every grill is a little different, so watch your thermometer and adjust in small steps.

Which Vent Does What?

• Bottom vent = the gas pedal. It lets air in to feed the fire. More open means hotter.
• Top vent = the chimney. It lets heat and smoke out. Keep it at least partly open; closing it all the way smothers the fire and can give food a bitter, stale-smoke taste.
• Keep the lid closed while cooking. The vents only control the heat when the lid is down.

Cooking Indirect? Watch Your Top Vent

When the coals are on one side and the food is on the other, turn the lid so the top vent sits over the food. The smoke gets pulled across the food on its way out.

Common Mistakes

• Closing the vents too early. The coals can go out before the food is done.
• Making big changes. Move a vent a little, then give it 10 minutes to settle.
• Cooking with the lid open. The vents can't do their job.
• Ignoring the wind. Wind blowing into the bottom vent makes the grill run hotter. Turn the grill or close the bottom vent a bit more.

Using a Gas Grill?

Gas grills don't use vents this way. You control the heat with the burner knobs, so leave any vents on a gas grill open.

Need More Detail?

• How to Control Grill Temperature with Your Vents: target temperatures and how far to turn each vent.
• How to Start a Charcoal Grill
• Our BBQ dry rubs, to season it right before it goes on the grill.