Bending Cajun Bandit Door for WSM

[Count Porcula]

I bought a Cajun Bandit door for my 22" WSM. Of course, it does not fit perfectly. There is a pretty good gap right where the latch is, as though the door were made for a smaller smoker.

Before I destroy this thing accidentally, can anyone tell me how people are bending these doors without ruining them?

 

[forktender]

I bought a Cajun Bandit door for my 22" WSM. Of course, it does not fit perfectly. There is a pretty good gap right where the latch is, as though the door were made for a smaller smoker.

Before I destroy this thing accidentally, can anyone tell me how people are bending these doors without ruining them?

I would imagine that if you set it on the ground and pushed down a little at a time it would open up the radius. Just take it slow, a little at a time.

 

[BBQ Flash]

My Cajun door for my 18.5" had the opposite issue. I needed to increase the curvature. I wanted a small gap that the Cajun door latch could tension against, so I bent it around a 5 gallon bucket -- which sorta worked. Wear gloves and recruit a large friend. If I needed to flatten it, I would use maybe a couple pieces of heavy plywood or similar and use body weight or something else where I had a lot of control and wouldn't scratch up the door. These doors are made tough though... in my case it took a lot of effort for not much change.

After bending the door, I added a gasket and that actually helped the most. No leaks and the gasket hasn't come loose in the few years it's been on there.

 

[Count Porcula]

I will pay attention to these suggestions and see what I can do. Thanks.