Question for Akorn owners

bacowboy · Aug 17, 2013

I have had my Akorn for about two years and love it but always have a problem with opening the top damper after it has sat for a few days closed. Tonight I was getting it ready for tomorrows cook and could not get it to open. I tried heating it, brushing the grease off, and tapping it with a rubber mallet with no success. I have never had any problems like this with my WSM or performer. Any suggestions?

FYI after jacking with for about 20 minutes I started tapping the knob/handle and it opened alright but I'm minus the knob because the plastic and the cast broke right off.

Callahan-que · Aug 17, 2013

Interesting, I've not had that problem.....yet.

Manana · Aug 17, 2013

I've never had that problem. Do you have the black damper?

Callahan-que · Aug 17, 2013

Was it really tight when you got it new?

bacowboy · Aug 17, 2013

Manana said:
I've never had that problem. Do you have the black damper?

Yes its the black cast. I am on my second one. The first one did the same thing and had to but another. Guess I'll be calling chargriller Monday. I thought about spaying the inside of the damper with easy off oven spray.

16Adams · Aug 17, 2013

Heat it up before trying to open it. A piece of machinery that came from the factory not needing to be hit with a mallet, still doesn't. This ones on you IMHO

bacowboy · Aug 17, 2013

J'ville Grill said:
Was it really tight when you got it new?

Yea I put it together and the original damper did the same thing so I bought another damper but its doing the same thing.

bacowboy · Aug 17, 2013

16Adams said:
Heat it up before trying to open it. A piece of machinery that came from the factory not needing to be hit with a mallet, still doesn't. This ones on you IMHO

I did heat it up first but it wouldn't budge so I tried tapping it with a rubber mallet with no success.

foppa78 · Aug 18, 2013

Mine was also stuck. I sprayed some greased lightening on it and was able to slowly start moving the handle back and forth. I applied a little more greased lightening and it now slides open each time with ease.

stl-rich · Aug 18, 2013

I would spray it with WD-40

jubie12 · Aug 25, 2013

I was wondering if anyone had tried to use a Terracotta Saucer as a diffuser? Looks like you could also use it as a diffuser/water pan. Any thoughts? I am new to this and and I am glad I found this site.

Hankdad1 · Aug 25, 2013

My Akorn top vent will do this in cold weather. I occasionally give it a shot of cooking spray and have no problems.

J-Rod · Aug 25, 2013

jubie12 said:
I was wondering if anyone had tried to use a Terracotta Saucer as a diffuser? Looks like you could also use it as a diffuser/water pan. Any thoughts? I am new to this and and I am glad I found this site.

Use the search bar at the bottom of page or start a new thread.

To the OP, loosen up the nut a little. It doesn't(nor should it) need to be that tight of a fit between the two cast pieces. Especially not so tight as you have to beat it with a hammer!

Question for Akorn owners

bacowboy

Is lookin for wood to cook with.

Callahan-que

Babbling Farker

Manana

Knows what a fatty is.

Callahan-que

Babbling Farker

bacowboy

Is lookin for wood to cook with.

16Adams

somebody shut me the fark up.

bacowboy

Is lookin for wood to cook with.

bacowboy

Is lookin for wood to cook with.

foppa78

Knows what a fatty is.

stl-rich

is one Smokin' Farker

jubie12

Guest

Hankdad1

is one Smokin' Farker

J-Rod

is Blowin Smoke!

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