My Door Leak Solution...

[D Arita]

Well, it's a simple one...I masked off the 1/4" strip around the door opening, then sprayed it with some adhesive. I then loosely rolled up a 1/2" strip of foil and lightly stuck it on the adhesive. Lastly, I closed the door, allowing the gaps to be filled with the foil. Not the prettiest fix, I know. I wish there was a heat resistant, thin foam strip I could use that would have more bounce back than the foil, but I couldn't find it.
After my last cook, I closed the vents and for the first time, the coals went out after two hours. That never happened before. I must also say that I sealed both bowl to middle and middle to lid joints with Nomex tape, as per another thread.


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

[MKEvenson]

D, welcome and nice job! But how come that cooker looks SOOOOO clean? Inside and out. Hard to believe you have ever cooked in there. Oh, I know it's that new charcoal, leaves no deposits and cleans as it cooks! I gotta find me some of that.

Happy smokin'

Mark

 

[D Arita]

Thanks for noticing. It's an ew center section. I tried adjusting the old one, but it didn't work and coals would not go out with vents closed.

 

[Bill Meredith]

Glad you finally got your air leak issues fixed! Now go cook and enjoy!!!!!!!

 

[D Arita]

Glad I finally have what may be a solution. I still can't help feeling that this product should have come to me working properly without my having to mod it or hope for a good grease seal. That said, I am enjoying the cooks and I'm learning a lot about cooking with coals.

 

[Corey Elks]

keep in mind, these are not ceramic cookers and are not made to be air tight. If you really think you need a air tight unit, i would recomend a big green egg or primo at 1000.00$. Ive used quite a few of these wsm's and neve had a problem dialing in temp. You just need to learn your cooker. Have a happy 4th everyone!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[D Arita]

Count yourself lucky if you've never had a problem holding temps. My unit leaked air so much that I could never extinguish coals even after closing all vents. The coals would have to pretty near burn to ash.

 

[Glenn W]

Have you pulled a tape on all 3 sections to verify roundness?

 

[D Arita]

Originally posted by Glenn W:
Have you pulled a tape on all 3 sections to verify roundness?

Did that on both the top and bottom of the center section. Got those round, but not flat. If I put it on a known flat surface, it rocks...that was on the original and the replacement sections. That's when I figured I'd have to use the Nomex gasket to create any kind of seal. I had to seal the top and bottom joints. The Nomex gasket is too thick to use on the door, otherwise I'd have used it there as well.
Also, did the the top and bottom bowls...bottom was round, but top was not. I tried to bend it round, but only cracked the porcelain along the edge, so I stopped.