Gasket on Camp Chef SmokePro DLX 24

[Sammybones]

Hello all-

First post here so be nice. I’m thinking of adding a gasket around the lid because one side let’s a lot of smoke escape.

Two questions. Will this make it more stable as far as temperature fluctuations as well as be more efficient with pellets?

Doing my first smoke this morning, pretty excited!

Thanks.

 

[bdskelly]

Efficient for sure. B

 

[bregent]

Will this make it more stable as far as temperature fluctuations as well as be more efficient with pellets?

No way to tell. There have been several reports that temp fluctuations increased dramatically when adding a gasket. Others reported no chang.

 

[bdskelly]

No way to tell. There have been several reports that temp fluctuations increased dramatically when adding a gasket. Others reported no chang.

Any idea how adding a gasket would actually increase temp fluctuations?
If the unit is operating on an electronic controller should it not adjust pellet burn accordingly (within reason) to maintain temp no matter if a gasket is added or not?
I could see that sealing the unit may help consume less fuel. ...Efficiency.
But how in the world would a tight seal on the door increase temp fluctuations? B

 

[smokin pastor]

THAT makes sense.

 

[bregent]

Any idea how adding a gasket would actually increase temp fluctuations?
If the unit is operating on an electronic controller should it not adjust pellet burn accordingly (within reason) to maintain temp no matter if a gasket is added or not?
I could see that sealing the unit may help consume less fuel. ...Efficiency.
But how in the world would a tight seal on the door increase temp fluctuations? B

It is hard to imagine. The going theory is the the grill is designed to run with a certain amount of back pressure. Sealing it tighter increases the back pressure, reducing the airflow. The controller in the Camp Chefs seems to operate in the margins, and little things can result in big problems. I had to return my DLX because of crazy temp swings of more than +/-100F followed by flameouts. Customer support replaced most everything. After returning it I heard reports from Pelletheads saying their grills started acting crazy after installing a gasket, but returned to normal after removing it. Others said it made no difference with theirs. I had also installed a gasket, but never associated the temp swings I was getting with it and had already returned the grill before hearing stories from the others. So really nothing definitive, but I'm hearing more stories about wild temp swings with CC grills that makes me believe their controller does not perform well under certain conditions.

 

[bdskelly]

It is hard to imagine. The going theory is the the grill is designed to run with a certain amount of back pressure. Sealing it tighter increases the back pressure, reducing the airflow. The controller in the Camp Chefs seems to operate in the margins, and little things can result in big problems. I had to return my DLX because of crazy temp swings of more than +/-100F followed by flameouts. Customer support replaced most everything. After returning it I heard reports from Pelletheads saying their grills started acting crazy after installing a gasket, but returned to normal after removing it. Others said it made no difference with theirs. I had also installed a gasket, but never associated the temp swings I was getting with it and had already returned the grill before hearing stories from the others. So really nothing definitive, but I'm hearing more stories about wild temp swings with CC grills that makes me believe their controller does not perform well under certain conditions.

Interesting thanks for the detail. B

 

[gmc2003]

I don't have a pellet smoker, but I have a question. Does the auger rotate dropping the pellets by cycle time or by the internal temp of the cook chamber?

Just curious.

Chris

 

[bdskelly]

I don't have a pellet smoker, but I have a question. Does the auger rotate dropping the pellets by cycle time or by the internal temp of the cook chamber?

Just curious.

Chris

Hi Chris.
The way mine works is that flow of pellets is adjusting by the temp probe in the chamber. Though Ive iwned every style but an egg I am impressed. This is My first pellet pooper. I am amazed at the accuracy of the smoker temp.

 

[gmc2003]

Cool, thank B; I was just wondering if they worked like my home heating pellet stove, and it sounds like they do.

Chris

 

[bregent]

I don't have a pellet smoker, but I have a question. Does the auger rotate dropping the pellets by cycle time or by the internal temp of the cook chamber?

Just curious.

Chris

Depends on the mode. In smoke mode, it's simply a constant timed duty cycle. In temp mode, the duty cycle changes based on whether the grill is above or below set point.