Are BBQ Gaskets a smart investment?

[SweetLou1021]

Just a quick question, I just recently got the cajun bandit door for my wsm and was figuring for under $30 why not go the whole way and get the gasket kit? I have seen a lot of talk about gaskets before but was just wondering if they are needed that badly. I am not into comp cooking but take my backyard bbqing seriously. I appreciate any opinions. Thanks!

 

[SmittyJonz]

No. Only on doors of insulated cabinet smoker - really only on firebox door of insulated cabinet smoker so it don't suck air and run Hot.

 

[yakdung]

No just mudflaps.

 

[Gary Tomato]

I've been contemplating the same question, if there's a leak around the door (like mine, though it's not too bad) surely it would be able to stop it?

 

[cheez59]

Cook a few times on your WSM and it will pretty much seal itself. Gaskets are a waste of money.

 

[smoke ninja]

Gaskets are not an investment. The young guys i work with think their Jordans are an investment. If you want them get them but you will not be investing your money, you will be buying gaskets. Personally i dont think they are necessary.

 

[KevinJ]

I have a Cajun Bandit Door and it still leaks a little bit as does my lid and they are both good and gunked up. It doesn't bother me that they leak the smoke has to go somewhere and yes I always cook with the top vent wide open. Some claim that a tighter seal gives you better temperature control, that hasn't been a problem for me.

The only time I can tell it's leaking is when I first dump the coals, put it back together and it's billowing white smoke, after an hour I usually have a clean fire with thin blue smoke and don't see a leak anywhere.

The way I look at it, it ain't broke so I'm not going to fix it.

 

[Bwick84]

I think it depends on what it's for. For your WSM I don't think they are needed. I just don't think it makes that much of a difference.

However, for cheap offsets they can make a big difference. I have an Oklahoma Joe and using gaskets makes a big difference in holding temps and quantity of wood used.

 

[THoey1963]

Do you need them? No.

Is there a benefit to having them? Yes.

I feel I have better control over my temps as the only airflow is from the vents I control, not around the door or the lid. I also like that I can close all the vents and an hour later, the WSM is cold. Saves fuel...

If you get them, see the link in my signature for how I installed mine for tips...

 

[Harbormaster]

I cook on WSMs,
Yah, I get a little smoke from around the door.
Yah, I get a little smoke from under the dome.
Never thought for a second that gaskets were necessary.
Great temp control, fire snuffs with all vents closed.
Yah, I get a little staining on the WSM from smoke, but it's BBQ, it's a dirty hobby.

 

[SweetLou1021]

thanks for all the input. I'm gonna go a few more cooks and see how they go

 

[Smellofcordite]

I put a gasket on my yoder 640, and i regret it now. There was absolutely no reason to do so, especially since the lid does not sit flush and air is being pushed around by the fans constantly. Obviously this is not meant for pellet cookers.

 

[ichbin73]

Nah, I don't chase exact temps and if any of my cookers are leaking it means something isn't burning or drawing right or one of the vents is closed...