1/4 inch door gap? Manufacturing defect?

[KiszkaBBQ]

Hi all,

Just got myself a Masterbuild Propane smoker MDS230S. As I set everything up, I realized that all along the hinge side of the door, there is a gap that's almost 1/4'' big. At first I thought that I may just want to seal it but now I am thinking that my unit is just poorly welded and I should return it. Is this big of a gap acceptable and should I attempt to seal it or should I get a new unit? I can literally see the racks inside at a certain angle.

Thank you for your input.

 

[JJS]

Pull the door off, Bend the cabinet part of the hinge back toward the cabinet and reinstall the door, then seal the door and call it good.

A few love taps with a hammer should get you better than factory

 

[JCAP]

I have the same model and to be honest, I have not ever noticed that. It's possible that a small gap is there. I'd probably just seal it and call it a good job unless you're comfortable doing what JJS suggested. I would find a way to most definitely make the issue worse if I tried that!

But it's a really nice smoker- just get some other thermometers since the one on the door is really not accurate.

 

[solman]

I know from experience that a rubber mallet works as JJS suggested. My first masterbuilt looked like your picture. I was able to tap the hinge back with a rubber mallet. I ultimately returned it because the entire door wasn't square to the body, and there was no fixing that with a mallet.

 

[tropics]

Take it back!!

 

[daveomak]

Get some wood stove gasket material and fix it... You are going to make several more modifications to it anyway.. if you want it to cook right...