Smoker lockdown

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dabigbozman

Smoke Blower
Original poster
Feb 21, 2017
85
25
Willamette Valley Oregon
I don't understand where there are so many post about people adding gaskets and RTV sealant to their smokers?? Smoke is supposed to escape from the smoker and be replaced by "clean" new smoke isn't it? I know when I was new to smoking and I closed the vent on mine to help increase the heat it wasn't a smart thing to do!
 
Smokers operate via airflow through the cooking chamber and out the exhaust.. if your door is leaking or firebox etc.. this is reducing the amount of actual airflow through the smoker itself

The better control of air in & smoke out a person has, the more control of temperature you have & less fuel consumption in maintaining that temp
 
Smokers operate via airflow through the cooking chamber and out the exhaust.. if your door is leaking or firebox etc.. this is reducing the amount of actual airflow through the smoker itself

The better control of air in & smoke out a person has, the more control of temperature you have & less fuel consumption in maintaining that temp
Very good answer!
 
It looks better going out the exuast pipe then the door
ROTF.gif
 
My WSM was out of round when I received it.  I was too excited to start smoking to send it back so I lived with it.  It leaked like crazy everyplace it could leak.  I could never keep the temps under 275F even after it was broken in.

I added a gasket kit and a temp controller at the same time, after about 6 months of use.  I still got minor leaks, but nothing like before.  Instantly I could easily reach lower temps.  Plus, even at 275F on a medium hot n fast smoke, my fuel consumption decreased.   

Leaks, no good. 
 
Last edited:
I had some wicked smoke leak in my Napoleon Apollo when I first got it.  The doors weren't tight at all, and between the rings was pretty bad.  Got some wood stove gasket, and sealed them up nice and tight.  Had trouble keeping temps down at first, now I can control temp so much easier.
 
 
My WSM was out of round when I received it.  I was too excited to start smoking to send it back so I lived with it.  It leaked like crazy everyplace it could leak.  I could never keep the temps under 275F even after it was broken in.

I added a gasket kit and a temp controller at the same time, after about 6 months of use.  I still got minor leaks, but nothing like before.  Instantly I could easily reach lower temps.  Plus, even at 275F on a medium hot n fast smoke, my fuel consumption decreased.   

Leaks, no good. 
LOL!  My WSM had a big forklift whole in the carton and I bought it anyway, it was the last one on the floor!  I got it home and opened the carton to find that the lid wad dented and the paint was cracking.  I was too excited and live with it still today!  It's crazy when the smoke bug bites!

Mike
 
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