Has anyone tried to seal their lid with an inner tube?
I just fitted an 18" bicycle inner tube around my brinkmann lid. Positioned the schrader valve at the front (by the stock thermometer) sticking up on the top, dropped it onto the Brinkmann cyclindrical body, and blew it up to ~6 psi with a bicycle pump. Plumps out a bit on the top, forming what appears to be a perfect seal.
Initially my plan was just to help concentrically round everything out, but I'm thinking of taking it up to 250degF. (I'll use a lower pressure, since the ideal gas law predicts a 40% increase in pressure otherwise.) I think nitrile rubber will handle the temperature OK, since it's far from the heat source. If so, I'll RTV it to the lid and use a little Pam spray oil on the outside to ease into the Brinkmann barrel.
It automatically seals well around temperature probe leads too.
It stinks a bit, so am hoping it will outgas over the next week and may take it to temperature without risking any food. If it still stinks, I'll probably throw in the towel.
What's the corporate experience with such rubber bladders for sealing?