Another 250 gallon RF Build Thread (My first build)

[dockman]

First cook is 20 lbs of wings.

 

[gary s]

Looks good !!!  I like chicken wings, good job, great build 

Gary

 

[dockman]

All my gasket rope is falling off! What do you guys use on it? I am thinking red high temp silicone may be the best. I used fireplace gasket cement

 

[daveomak]

All my gasket rope is falling off! What do you guys use on it? I am thinking red high temp silicone may be the best. I used fireplace gasket cement

Pictures of the install would help......

 

[dockman]

Let's eat!

 

[dockman]

Here you go Dave.

I used 2 different ropes and adhesive neither held.

 

[dockman]

Here is one more.

 

[gary s]

We had the same problem on the Vertical, Insulated RF we built, used a couple of different products, same results, We ended up going with a tadpole gasket round seal with a tai,l used stainless screws to fasten it to the door, not sure if that would work with your door.  I also have that same type rope gasket on a ECB, could not get the glue that came in the package to hold, Rutland replaced it still would not hold. I ended up using 3M spray high-temp adhesive, still on there but I don't use it very often.

gary

 

[dockman]

Temps were mid teens today and had no problem getting smoker up to 325 and holding it.

 

[alaska]

Nice build I have enjoyed the photos and the fact you had a youngster involved. How did the wings turn out and how long did you have them in?

Jerome

 

[ribwizzard]

On your gaskets, most people complain about the cement or adhesive failing. I've used permeated red high temp and it does work and hold up very well. No problem at all with it getting hard or peeling off. It's just that it's red and looks like crap.

I also have a couple that I used Rutland black silicon sealant on, and they still are holding up well after a little over a year. Just don't make the mistake of buying the latex sealant they sell, the tube looks the same but it's not worth a crap.

For my current build , I'm thinking either trying to apply the rope gasket with a small bead of the red sealant behind it as the adhesive ( keep it hidden behind the rope gasket) or just go with the Rutland black silicon.

Let me add though, I always sandblast and paint the cooker including the door flanges, then apply the sealant as soon as the paint is cured before I season or burn anything in the cooker. Metal with the mill scale still on it will never allow anything to get a good grip on it, you have to etch it either mechanically or chemically .

You have really done a nice job on that smoker there, what's a couple hundred bucks to get someone to blast that thing inside and out for you? You'll have a lot less issues with the paint as we'll.

 

[ribwizzard]

Permatex! Auto spell check can be a pain

 

[urbotrimmm]

I've never used the gaskets myself.  In my opinion they're not worth the trouble.  I've got three doors per smoker tank and three doors on the firebox (2 vents and the main door).  How much I lose through my gappage I have no idea but I do know I have NO problem maintaining my 225.  I used toggle clamps for door latches and adjusted right they keep a pretty good seal on the doors.  just my opinion/experience with my smoker

 

[ribwizzard]

They are a nice touch, kind of dresses the smoker out. Biggest advantage I think is at start up, a tight seal will get air flowing faster, especially on reverse flows that have cold start issues. I particularly like them for the soft feel when closing the doors, ...no banging!

 

[dockman]

If my doors were a good fit all the way around I would not worry about sealing them. I did have one other unexpected issue. Once firebox gets hot my door latch is supper hard to latch and unlatch.

 

[dockman]

Here you go RW!

I ordered this from Sherman Williams

 

[ribwizzard]

nope, have not used that before.

 

[dockman]

All wiped off and ready to paint. Since it is so cold outside we are using rollers and brushes to do the painting. I am afraid spraying would produce lots of runs.

 

[dockman]

We think it looks great!

 

[crazyq]

Good job! Looks really nice. Way to go!