WSM Temperature question

[magant]

Greetings.

Last summer, at an outside temp around 98F, I was trying to get my WSM to 325 to do some chicken. Hottest I could get was around 265 with the water in it. Had to empty the water pan to get 325.

Today, outside temp 60F, WSM with the water hit 335.

What affects this - is it humidity? Charcoal? Anyone have an idea?

Thanks,
Tobias

[Richtee]

Crappy charcoal (fuel) and airflow are all that can affect it for the most part.

Wind, and that waterpan can too, but mainly see above.

[Mark R]

First, skip the water. Fill the waterpan with sand and cover with foil.
Could be a lot of things, most likely is fuel. Some partial wet or real old charcoal? Some stuff does burn hotter than others, but not that different (at least for me).
Or it's airflow, top vent wide open, control heat with bottom?
Those are the only real variables, lotta folks use them.

[SMOKE FREAK]

Or for higher temps leave out the water pan completely...

[Doug S.]

I put a diffuser in mine, I'm not even sure where the
water pan is at this point I've not seen it in years.

[HawgHeaven]

My water pan is used as a baffle. No water, no sand, just "lidded" with a sheet of aluminum foil, slightly concave to catch the drippings. Only thing in the water pan is air...

Easy clean up.

On Edit:

Oh, and I failed to mention, I replaced the original WP with a much larger diameter SS bowl...