Dealing with smoker leaks

[boblloyd91]

Hi there, I have a lower end Char broil offset smoker. I have had issues with it retaining heat, noticing that smoke and heat seems to leave in the main box, and at the base of the chimney. I can often see some smoke seeping through. I was curious what works best for sealing the leaks in my smoker that is safe. Thanks

 

[lamar]

If you see smoke at the base of the exhaust, do you have the exhaust wide open?

 

[boblloyd91]

no, only about halfway

 

[lamar]

Perhaps it needs to be completely open. Half way might not allow the draft you need. It should not smoke out at the bottom of the exhaust unless it is partially restricted. Good luck

 

[boblloyd91]

Thanks, any ideas for the main box as far as it keeping heat?

 

[tomlc]

Thanks, any ideas for the main box as far as it keeping heat?

In mine, I put an 18x18 flooring tile (cuz that's what I had sitting around in the right size) in the bottom and topped it off with some standard paving bricks. The two work together as a baffle and a heat sink.

 

[lamar]

I have not used an offset in a few years, so someone else can answer that problem better than me.

 

[gr0uch0]

What Lamar said about making sure exhaust is wide open, from 2 counts:  one, doesn't vent properly and two, can cause creosote and leaves acrid taste on meat.

Base of chimney:  cut many square pieces of foil, and cut out the circle for the exhaust.  Take the chimney out, thread the foil through the stack, and reattach the chimney.  Voila, custom fit, hidden gasket that might set you back a buck for the foil.  I've done it and works like a champ.  Good luck.