Sealant for my Bandera Smoker

Leaks don't Hurt, unless they are big enough to affect temps.....

I bought stove rope and adhesive for the one I'm restoring. I will also use it to seal the FB lid as well. I've already welded all the gaps around the bottom of the CC and will likely end up welding the FB to the CC

My thought is this, if smoke can get out, air can get in with a bit of a breeze and will affect both draw and temps

Radio said:

I bought stove rope and adhesive for the one I'm restoring. I will also use it to seal the FB lid as well. I've already welded all the gaps around the bottom of the CC and will likely end up welding the FB to the CC

My thought is this, if smoke can get out, air can get in with a bit of a breeze and will affect both draw and temps

Click to expand...

Have to be pretty big gaps.

SmittyJonz said:

Have to be pretty big gaps.

Click to expand...

not really. A 10 mph breeze will really show you where the leaks are:mrgreen: I bought a new OK Joe's last year and was ready to cut it up for scrap it leaked so bad! Temp would stay stable until a breeze came up, then smoke would pour out of the thing everywhere! I finally got it sealed up, but seldom use it as my ancient, but restored New Braunfels holds heat a lot better

Here is a linky for the Bandera rehab I did a few years ago and it shows how I sealed the cook chamber door.

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1835907&postcount=85

I used Permatex Hi-Temp Silicone and a Felt Big Green Egg gasket. Worked great.

If I were doing it today I'd likely get some Lavalock or similar gasket material from BBQ Smoker Supply.

swamprb said:

Here is a linky for the Bandera rehab I did a few years ago and it shows how I sealed the cook chamber door.

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1835907&postcount=85

I used Permatex Hi-Temp Silicone and a Felt Big Green Egg gasket. Worked great.

If I were doing it today I'd likely get some Lavalock or similar gasket material from BBQ Smoker Supply.

Click to expand...

Thanky Sir!

I had already bought 20 feet of smaller diameter stove rope and the adhesive for it along with a caulking tube of black stove silicone sealant. Rather than run the rope all around the inside of the door, I decided to cut two pieces and glue on the flat lip above and below the CC, then glue the two long pieces inside the door edges.

I used the silicone around the outside edges of the stack and around the perimeter of the the FB where it meets the CC. I also glued one long piece of the rope all along the edges of the FB lid to seal it. Not sure the adhesive will hold up to the heat of the FB, but it's worth a shot

Almost got her back together and ready for a test/seasoning burn. I think I'm really like the old gal a lot. Maybe some day day I can get one of those sexy LSG's to replace her:mrgreen:

This is what I used on my old COS, it worked great! Just clean the area that you'll be applying it to, lay a good, even bead around the door opening and use some painter's tape or some wax paper around the edge of the under side of the lid so that you can close the lid and keep the sealant off of the lid as it dries. After the sealant has set just remove the tape and voila an air tight and heat resistant seal.:wink:
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Red-Devil-Industrial-Resistant-0809/dp/B000H5Q5VG"]Amazon.com: Red Devil RDL0809OI RD PRO Heat Resistant RTV Sealant 10.3 oz. 100% Heat Resistant, Red: Home Improvement@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21U8wMvre1L.@@AMEPARAM@@21U8wMvre1L[/ame]

This looks interesting too!:-D
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Nomex-High-gasket-smoker-stick/dp/B00CI7A69I/ref=pd_sim_60_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=11QCYZ25BN3A1N9Z8527"]Amazon.com : 1/2" x 1/8" Nomex High Temp BBQ gasket smoker pit seal, self stick : Smoker Door Gaskets : Patio, Lawn & Garden@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/410W17q-AqL.@@AMEPARAM@@410W17q-AqL[/ame]

Auto parts stores have high heat RTV. Permatex copper stuff works well.

You guys are worrying about leaks way too much.

SmittyJonz said:

You guys are worrying about leaks way too much.

Click to expand...

Not really.
I improved the temp in my Bandera's cook chamber by sealing the interior of the door with fire rope held in place with red RTV.
Stays hotter longer without the leaks from around the door.

For the first two or three hours my door is cracked open anyhow and no smoke comes out, once the draft is flowing you're good to go.