New 22.5 WSM gasket install or not?


 
JasonWB

JasonWB

TVWBB Member
Hey guys. I've been smoking and grilling on a Genesis for the last few years and my wife told me she ordered me a new WSM 22.5 for Father's Day. Should have it next week and I can't wait. I'm obviously new to the wsm, but research like crazy and have read about temp control being finicky on the larger wsm. I've already ordered a cajun bandit door and am thinking about getting the nomex gasket kit as well. I don't want to go overboard with mods yet and I would love to wait and see how it cooks, but my thought is also that it would be much easier and better to install this on a nice new clean grill.

Thoughts? Yea or no on the gasket? Worth the money? ($30)

Thanks!
 
I got my WSM 22.5" for Christmas last year and I haven't had any issues with temperature control in weather ranging from below freezing to 90 degree days. I don't have the gasket kit but i imagine it would make temperature control slightly easier. My advice would be wait and see what your smoker does as far as temps go and then make the decision. Like you said, it isn't like they are expensive or hard to find so you can always get one later on.
 
I have the 18". And, I put the gasket kit on mine. Whether or not it makes much difference in maintaining temps, I am not sure. But, it certainly removed the variable. It's tighter than a duck's a$$ now. I feel like it was worth it just for the sake of consistency. Oh. And, I think I am able to shut it down faster. So, I save charcoal.
 
Awesome. Thanks guys. I'm all for removing as many variables as possible. With the rtv adhesive, could you remove it if you wanted to for any reason (with a little elbow grease), or is it completely permanent?
 
I was just about to post a thread asking this question. My door leaks a fair amount of smoke. Enough that it makes me want to do...something. Either a Cajun door or a gasket seal or both. I'll be hang in here to wait for some other opinions. I know I need to do something.
 
I pondered the same question days before I bought my WSM. I opted not to get the gaskets and just see how it performed. Turns out it doesn't leak any smoke from the top or bottom of the middle section and leaks only very little via the door. I read somewhere that the WSM isn't intended to be totally sealed up. I'm glad I didn't spend the money on the gaskets. I spent it on meat instead!
 
Yeah they'll smoke a little around the door and lid but I seriously don't think it affects the cook nearly as much as a out of round section. I'm one of the guys that didn't like the smoke around the door so I put a large piece of HD foil behind it then put the door back on and just tucked it over around the edge, no more leak and it doesn't look bad, granted not as nice as a CB door and once you've used it several times the temp control becomes a snap even if you don't use water.
 
JasonWB said:
Awesome. Thanks guys. I'm all for removing as many variables as possible. With the rtv adhesive, could you remove it if you wanted to for any reason (with a little elbow grease), or is it completely permanent?
Click to expand...
Do the gasket...you won't want to take off.
 
I did the gaskets, the door, and replaced the door latch. My WSM is very tight. Temp control is fairly easy, and she shuts down in around an hour. I also did the fire basket mod with four handles. Makes it easy to pick up and shake the ash off and I can also set my top grate on the handles and grill directly over the coals.
 
if you can,do the gasket,cajun door and latch,i did mine right out the box and love it,im sure you would too..have yet to hear any negative feed back from anyone that has done the mentioned mods.
 
Thanks guys. I'm right with you Jay. I ordered everything last week and have the gasket, cb door and latch sitting ready to go in the garage. Only bummer is that we ordered my actual smoker last week and just found out it won't be here in time for Father's Day. Oh, well.
 
Sounds like you're off to a good start Jason. I have the CB door and compression handle, I do not have the gasket kit and my door is really tight. I'm still considering the gasket, hence the reason that I'm reading this thread. Bummer on not having the WSM in time for Father's day.
 
I installed gasket on my 22 WSM w/o changing the original door! I also put gasket on the top ring of the central section ( where the lid sits). I must say it definitively works well!
 
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