From time to time you may need to modify, upgrade or patch up your smoker charcoal grill. It may be cheaper than buying a brand new one. However, if the replacement are very expensive, buying a new grill is the better option. In this article, we will look at common grill issues and the replacement parts for your smoker charcoal grill:
A leaking offset smoker
The offset smoker tends to leak around the doors. Replacing the gasket could solve this problem. You can actually buy a replacement gasket or make one. The gaskets in the market have felt like material and an adhesive at the back. When buying a gasket, you need to look out for thickness and maximum temperature.
Using a high-temperature auto silicone with a rating of 500 degrees Fahrenheit as a sealant will also help with maintaining the temperature.
Instead of replacing the gasket, you could make a thin bead around the door rim or the smoker body, where it comes into contact with the door. To do this, use kitchen wax or parchment paper. The latter is silicon impregnated. Here is how to go about it:
- Lay the kitchen paper on top of the bead
- Gently close the door until the goo spreads
- Ensure that the paper makes contact all around the opposite surface.
- Lift the door, allowing it to set
- Peel the paper off
- Trim the sealant with a knife.
Leaks
You can buy products that will help you to fix any leaks or gaps. They, however, need to be rated food safe. You can use cement or high-temperature silicone sealants. Do not use anything that may melt and drip on the food.
Heat loss
Some smoker grills are made of thin metal. The heat escapes easily and fast. A simple way to solve this problem is to put bricks in the bottom and cover them with foil. It will take longer for the heat chamber to heat up, but it will also retain heat for longer and distribute the heat evenly. You will have fewer temperature spikes to deal with. The other way to prevent heat loss is draping the cooking chamber with a foil insulation or welding blanket. Putting the bricks inside the offset smoker can also help to hold heat and curb temperature spikes.
Converting a steel drum into a grill
You can buy a steel drum and convert into a smoker charcoal grill. A refurbished one can be really cheap, going for less than $20. You can use expanded metal to make a basket, a black pipe for plumbing, or drill some holes. Magnets will help to control airflow.
Alternatively, you can buy a kit to help you convert the drum into a smoker charcoal grill. The kit allows for easy assembly.
Other parts
Other parts that you may need to replace include grates, knobs or burners. The first thing that you need to do is consult your manual. Get the particular part’s number and then look it up on the manufacturer’s website. Some companies offer the manuals in a downloadable form on their website. This will come in handy if you lose your manual. If the manufacturer does not have the replacement parts, you can buy them from other companies that sell them.
All in All
You do not need to repair, modify or upgrade your grill every day. However, when you do, knowing the right replacement parts for your smoker grill will come in handy.