Big Baby Smoker heat loss

[orangecrush]

I just completed building a big baby double barrel smoker. The lid I made did not come from the same set of barrels as the other two. I've had a hard time matching up ribbed sections to get it to seal when smoking. I have about a 1/2" gap between the lid and the cooking barrel. I tried some hammering but that didn't work. Has anyone had this issue? I was thinking of trying the mesh type gasket used around oven doors. Anyone have any other ideas?

[Jarhead]

I've got the same problem too. When the weather gets nicer, I'm gonna get some 1-1/2"x1/8" flat bar and go around the door opening on the inside of the cooking chamber. I tried welding it, Lesson learned, I'm gonna do the pop rivet thing.

Edit check this out about half way down, you'll see what I'm talking about
http://www.thesmokering.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=37799
Compliments of Maine Man
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[Rare Breed]

I would try to find the same barrel and cut your door at least an inch bigger than the opening, that's how I did mine and it seals good

[BZArcher]

Just to add a tip from when I made mine - I cut my door about an inch wider than the opening and then ran a bead of silicone sealer all around the edges of the door. It's not 100% perfect, but it works pretty well.
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Double Drum Smoker - Jolly Green Giant

[bud-wie-ser]

My solution to this problem was to split the barrel lengthwise, then make an angle iron frame around the top and bottom halves. I sealed any gaps with high temp foam insulation. Works Great!

http://www.thesmokering.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=31105
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