HELP! Bottom vents don't want to move.

[Craig C]

After 21 years, the bottom vents on my WSM are becoming very difficult to move. Any suggestions?

 

[Larry D.]

While the vents are aluminum, I think the rivets are steel, so they may be rusting. I'd try a little penetrating oil on the inside and outside, while working the vent back and forth to loosen it. If you don't want to deal with the smell of penetrating oil, a shot of PAM might even help.

 

[TravisH]

If grit gets in there, it can cause binding. If so, it'll sound like sandpaper.

 

[MKEvenson]

After 21 years it might just be time to order a new set of vent covers. I got some recently from Weber, they are pretty cheap and come with mounting hardware. There are also edible lubricants available if that is of concern and you don't want to replace.

 

[George Curtis]

grind/cut the rivets off and then clean things up and reinstall with some ss hardware.