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Rightstuff
07-23-2008, 04:03 PM
I purchased a offset smoker a few weeks ago. I seasoned it a few times by spraying the inside with oil and burning some hickory in the firebox for a few hours. Yesterday I smoked all day at about 240 degrees. Towards the end of the smoke I noticed that the left door was not closing properly. I went into the garage this morning to clean the smoker and the door is still not properly shut. There is about a 1/2" to 3/4" gap all the way across the bottom of the door. Is there any way to fix this? Thanks in advance!

Arlin_MacRae
07-23-2008, 04:07 PM
The first thing I'd do is look for a blockage either in a hinge or along the seam where the two parts mate up. Then I'd try to warp it back into shape by hand, but I'm not sure what you've got there. If it's truly warped and you can't do it by hand because the steel's too thick, you can try using some scrap wood and a cloth covered hammer.

BBQ Grail
07-23-2008, 04:08 PM
I'd take it back!

Westexbbq
07-23-2008, 04:10 PM
Are you talking about the door to the smokebox chamber, the one with the butterfly wheel? Any chance you could post a picture of the smoker or id the make and model?

Others may know for sure but I have used a gasket/type seal on my old silver smoker when and where needed.

Jorge
07-23-2008, 04:15 PM
What type of cooker? Got some pics?

Gowan
07-23-2008, 04:34 PM
I had that happen with a cheap New Braunfels offset I once owned. The firebox was awfully small, so if you tried to build a fire with logs only (as opposed to charcoal plus a smoke wood) it got too hot and warped the thin steel so the top door of the firebox would not close fully. It made it hard to control the temp well with the constant extra draft.

Dunno if this is what you are describing or how big the cooker is, but that's my story for what it's worth.

Rightstuff
07-23-2008, 06:10 PM
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/4/9/4/3/4/8/webimg/64476111_tp.jpg
http://ti2.auctiva.com/web/supersize/clicktosup_000000.gif (http://www.auctiva.com/hostedimages/showimage.aspx?gid=494348&image=64476111&images=64476111,64476102,64476090,64476079,6447611 7,64476159,64476147,64476144,64476135,64476129,644 76203,64476193,64476177,64476172,64476164,64476184&formats=0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0&format=0)

Rightstuff
07-23-2008, 06:14 PM
The above pic is the smoker. Its the left door, sorry, no pics of the warping.

BBQ Grail
07-23-2008, 06:19 PM
THAT warped? You'd have to have some kind of heat to warp that baby.

Brian in So Cal
07-23-2008, 06:24 PM
Dang, That is a nice smoker. Hopefully it is something simple.

snoqualmiesmoker
07-23-2008, 06:26 PM
I was expecting something cheap. That is a sweet smoker.

Is the door in question removable?

Who built it?

jestridge
07-23-2008, 06:28 PM
maybe you sprung the hinges

Rightstuff
07-23-2008, 06:28 PM
It was made in Macon, GA by Bubba Grills. The door seals all the way down until the very bottom. Its not bound up. You can gently push it closed and when you release the pressure it opens up about 1/2" or so.

DDT
07-23-2008, 06:31 PM
Are you talking about the air intake? if so pic #11 shows something silver between the fire bow and the door. look and see if there is some washers or something. I would think they should be touching maybe a spring on the outside to put pressor on the door.

Rightstuff
07-23-2008, 06:31 PM
jestridge, you may be correct. My wife opened the smoker a few times to check on things while we were using it. My first thought this morning was that she may have opened it and let the door fall backwards. How can I fix it without damaging the smoker? Thanks!

Westexbbq
07-23-2008, 06:38 PM
That is one sweet looking cooker, significantly more formidable than what I initially pictured in my mind's eye. As I figured others have chimed in and hope you get it squared away soon.
Good luck.

snoqualmiesmoker
07-23-2008, 06:44 PM
I'm confused at which door? 16 looks like its not sitting flush. Which door?

QansasjayhawQ
07-23-2008, 07:03 PM
Have you asked the folks at Bubba Grills about it?
(just a thought for you)

Good luck getting it fixed - that is a VERY nice smoker!

jestridge
07-23-2008, 07:16 PM
if it a hinge you might have to heat the hinge with a torch annd try to get it back in place

Norcoredneck
07-23-2008, 08:31 PM
Take a round hardwood dowel (broom handle) put on parallel to top seam seal. slowly close door until you feel a little give. Open, remove dowel and check for seal. Repeat until happy. If it goes too far open door and pull against hinge. LITTLE AT A TIME!

Rightstuff
07-23-2008, 08:38 PM
The pics were taken beforehand. I believe the door was sprung yesterday during a smoke. I'll try the broom handle and see how that works. Otherwise, I may take it back to Bubba Grills and see if they can fix it. Thanks for everyones help!

MostlySmoke
07-23-2008, 09:20 PM
Gotta be a sprung hinge; I cant imagine that you bent the door, the steel is way too thick.

Great rig; I'm sure you'll fix it.

Pitbull
07-24-2008, 07:01 AM
Take a round hardwood dowel (broom handle) put on parallel to top seam seal. slowly close door until you feel a little give. Open, remove dowel and check for seal. Repeat until happy. If it goes too far open door and pull against hinge. LITTLE AT A TIME!


What he said exactly. The hinge itself is most likely OK. Look closely at the door flange that is welded to the hinge and see if it is at a backward angle. That is the most likely culprit. Also look at the door stop to make sure it is catching the door, before it gets into a bend situation. If it isn't then the problem can reoccur.

Jorge
07-24-2008, 08:06 AM
If the solution offered by Norco doesn't work for you, and you need something until you can get it fixed you can use some foil at the bottom to seal it up.

JamesTX
07-24-2008, 02:05 PM
The door on my much cheaper offset doesn't close very well, so I get a big ass rock and set on top to hold it shut. If I had a smoker as nice as yours I probably wouldn't be very interested in my method.

Rightstuff
07-24-2008, 02:47 PM
Thanks for all the great responses. I called Bubba Grills this morning and he told me to bring it back. However, shortly after talking with him I tried the broomstick trick and it worked perfectly. The door is seated properly and looks great.

Norcoredneck
07-24-2008, 03:18 PM
Have you seen the counterweight set-up that also works as a stop? Might be something to look into.

ipls3355
07-24-2008, 07:21 PM
You obviously bought a lemon. I'll be glad to take it off your hands. I'd even drive down to Georgia and pick it up so it's not taking up space in your drive anymore.

Oh wait, you fixed it......never mind:lol::twisted::wink:

Westexbbq
07-24-2008, 08:47 PM
Thanks for all the great responses. I called Bubba Grills this morning and he told me to bring it back. However, shortly after talking with him I tried the broomstick trick and it worked perfectly. The door is seated properly and looks great.

I love it when a plan comes together.
Glad to hear things worked out well.
Enjoy.