I have always heard to keep the top vent open all the time on a weber silver grill. Wether grilling or smoking. But what about the bottom vent, how do you it to control the temp? Thanks Dave
You can adjust both, but you are right I don't think you ever want to totally close the top. I just used my kettle for chicken and I had the bottom almost closed (1/8" - 1/4") and the top open about 1/3 to run at 350°. If your kettle does not have a thermometer in the lid you can buy a cheap dial probe type and drop it through one of the top vent holes. Walmart usually has these in the kitchen gadget area too.
Put a therm in the top like buzz said and adjust the bottom vent to the desired temp...after a while you'll know how open they need to be to get the temp you want say 350*