slimjim Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 Recently added some FireBlack/Lava Lock gasket to my door and lid on my 47cm WSM Can't believe the difference. The only smoke leak I get now is from the lid mounted (useless!) thermometer. Might sound crazy but as the whole point of being frugal with our fuel, making the temps stay for longer, means only heating as little as possible..... Would some kind of 'jacket' be a good idea? I mean you would need access to the door and be able to lift the lid. But surely a jacket to keep the heat in would be a good idea, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokin Monkey Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 You can buy a thermal cover for my GMG. I have seen people use a welding blanket as an insulator 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimjim Posted September 11, 2017 Author Share Posted September 11, 2017 Welding jacket sounds like a plan! I have a specialist place local to me, may pop over for a look. Saying that, I do highly recommend the gasket stuff. Before my lid/body seal would leak smoke; and presumably heat. Now it takes me 3-4 seconds to FORCE the lid on, making sure it is a perfect seal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokin Monkey Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 On all my builds I use Stove Rope to seal doors etc. Machine Mart will have the blankets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wade Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 I used to use a welding blanket on my Weber kettle in the winter and it worked well. In the summer I don't worry too much about insulation but if it is windy I will put wind breaks around the smoker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valve90210 Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 47 minutes ago, Smokin Monkey said: On all my builds I use Stove Rope to seal doors etc. Machine Mart will have the blankets. What stove tape do you use? I've been thinking about putting some on the door of my Callow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokin Monkey Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 It's just self adhesive Stove Rope, from any shop that sell Wood Burning Stoves. It comes in several widths from 10mm upwards, very easy to apply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wade Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 It isn't always a case of keeping the heat in... Sometimes it is to keep the effects of the sun out. On sunny days the effect on the smoker temperature can be quite marked Here is a log trace showing the temperature inside the smoker (top line) compared with the outside ambient temperature (bottom line) over the course of a day. For most of the day the smoker was in the shade but the inside temperature was still a degree or two higher than the outside. But the difference increases significantly when direct sunlight hits the smoker later in the afternoon. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimjim Posted September 12, 2017 Author Share Posted September 12, 2017 A great point there @Wade ... Doing a little research on-line, it seems that not specifically the cold but wind plays a huge part of temp control. Luckily I have a setup in a sheltered corner of the Hardacre Estate, where there is little to no wind or direct sunlight. People have shown that very cold windless conditions have a negligible effect, where as even a slight/medium breeze can remove the heat at an unbelievable rate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wade Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 Yes, a cold/cool wind - especially if it intermittent - will wreck your temperature control and cause you to burn a lot more fuel. You should shelter your smoker from the wind if you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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