Sealing up the CGSP

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I used the Hi Temp RTH Sealant Kookie mentioned years ago to seal fireplace gasket on to the doorway and around the door of old retired fridge I had made into a smoker. I used that smoker for 5 years and when I got rid of the smoker the fireplace gasket was still firmly attached to both the door and doorway.

It is a very good product and I always try and have a tube on hand; it does come in handy in many smoker applications.
 
Thanks for the info Mossy, I'll definitely be picking up some rtv sealant on the next trip to the store. Although looks like the next round of mods will be on hold for a few weeks. I'm probably hitting the road Sunday for a two week work trip through Alabama and Tennessee. At least i stand a chance of finding some good q places on the way. Maybe pick up a new sauce or rub.
 
So yesterday i actually go the lip on the char griller. I don't haev a lot of time this morning to do a full post but here is a few pics to start with.
 
Interesting thread! Can't wait to see how it works out. Anyways, I have foil balled up and stuffed in any/most open bolt holes. I do not notice a major leak from firebox to pit nor around chimney (although my pit was pre-assembled by Menards employees and the chimney flange was on the outside of the pit for 2 years before I was informed about it). BUT I KNOW FOR SURE THERE ARE MAJOR LEAKS AROUND THE LID! Last smoke the wind was howlin and I couldnt keep temp. I moved the pit around the deck facing the firebox in several locations and monitored by digi temp. read outs. I lost close to 100 degrees.

I am wondering if there were any ideas on how I can close up the knockouts for the rotisserie? I currently have larger smashed flat balls of foil plugging these holes.

Also, was thinking bout using that flat boiler door seal and folding it over the sides of the bottom portion of the pit and possibly cutting it in half length wise and sticking it to the front flange to get the lid to sit down in it's normal position.

Just thinking out loud. Thanks for reading.
 
Sorry for taking a while to get this post updated. I'm out on the road for two weeks. Been to Alabama and now in Tennessee. To top things off my work issued laptop won't use the wireless card i have for it and there is no ethernet port on it either .........
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Anyway, Geek, for the back edge i just run a bead of RTV sealant along the edge and clamped the gasket to it using the strip of wood in the pics. I left it alone for an hour, removed the clamps and wood. The gasket was pretty firmly held in place. The lid went back on and opened and closed pretty good with no movement of the gasket.

Char, there wasn't a major leak from either the firebox join or exhaust on mine. I just thought if i'm doing this i'm going for as much sealing as possible.

Can't wait to get home to try it out to see how well this works. May even try to catch some vid and post on photobucket. Right now i'm scheduled to get back in another 10 days.

Should i get the laptop working will get some more pics posted. On a hotel lobby puter right now so time is limited.
 
Finally got a chance to post some more pics.

This is how i held the angle in place so i could mark where to drill.



All the angle in place without the gasket. You can see the holes i used to put the bolts through. Also notice the difference from left to right to where the lid naturally closes.



How the lid meets the gasket on the ends.



I have high hopes that this mod is going to work well.

The first chance i have when i get back home i'll be doing a test run. Probably with a fatty or two.

Watch this space
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I just bought one of these smokers over the weekend, and I am looking forward to hearing how your mods work out.

--shinbone
 
Ok here is the first smoke with the new lip added. Tried to get some good pics. Is tough with the sun this early.




Heat retention seems lots better. Hardly any smoke leaking from lid at all.

I'm happy
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Some rope type wood stove gasket material and some RTV high temp sealer will last for years.Stays pliable and last forever.

Try your hardware or auto parts store.
 
Some rope type wood stove gasket material and some RTV high temp sealer will last for years.Stays pliable and last forever.

Try your hardware or auto parts store.
 
I didn't try cranking it up cause i had a 10lb butt and a chuck cooking. But i did notice it would go for 1 1/2 to 2 hours on one chimney of lump. Once temp was up i could close the sfb vent and it would hold that temp for a long time. If i did open the vent a little when temps dipped i did have to watch it otherwise it would keep creeping up over 250.

When i get a chance i'll dump in a full chimney and crank it open to see how high it will go.

The thing i liked was that i didn't have to drill any new holes in the smoker. I will be installing a fitting to get the probe cord through with out having it shut in the lid. Really recommend the red RTV. That stuff sticks like **** to a blanket, and is good to 600f. Because of the way the lid opens and closes the RTV is all that's holding the rear gasket in place. With all the opening and closing yesterday it didn't move at all.

The main benefit i see is that it will hold temps for longer which should mean less charcoal use.
 
A couple of guys at work gave me some RTV. They did caution about the 1st burn that I may have alittle bit of a smell. Did you notice any? I am thinking about using is as a sealer around the SFB door. Squirt is onto the box, let is set up for 15/20 min. slowly lower the door to "custom" fit the gasket then raise the door back up and let is completely set up. I would think it would hold up to temps on the SFB.
 
I didn't notice any unusual smell but it had cured for almost two weeks before i used it.

Been wondering about doing that too. An idea from.... i think it was WD. Lay some saran on the firebox edge so the rtv doesn't stick to that too.
I'm still using a lump of rock on the handle which seals it pretty good.
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I am new to the forum. My CGP also is drafty as hell. I am planning on doing the mods using the angle and rope. Question I have is is it safe to use aluminum ankle rather than the steel?
 
Welcome to SMF Choochmm
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I don't think there would be any problem using alum angle . I think the only issue with alum would be in and near the fire. It has a much lower melt / burn temp than steel.

Make sure you stop into Roll Call and introduce yourself proper like
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Just the basics , where you are from , smoker (s) you have , experiance , ect.
Makes it easier for folks to help you out when you have questions .
And sign up for Jeffs Free email course , lot's of good info there to get you off on the right foot
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