Newbie question -- Lid of pit barrel how snug should the fit be?

[cgseymour]

Hello All,
Have been re-watching some of the videos and one thing I did notice yesterday was that my lid has a very snug fit.
If I place it on the barrel, it does not seat all the way.  I can push down around the rim, but then when I go to take it off, there is a noticeable amount of effort required to remove it.

Is this normal? or should I just place the lid on the barrel?

Just curious.

Thank you.

Chris

[Las Vegan Cajun]

I just place my lid on the barrel and let it rest in place without pushing down on it.  When I remove the lid it lifts right off without having to do any extra effort.

[brentwoodkris]

I also have to press mine down for a "snug" fit. However, the fit gets so tight that when I do that and I go to take the lid off, I sometimes lift the entire PBC unit! I'm hoping that with time, it will "wear-in" and become a tad bit easier (though I'm not complaining about that air-tight seal!). I think next time I'll line that upper edge with some olive oil and see if it acts as a good enough lubricant to just be able to pull off easily...

[drholly]

I just place my lid on the barrel and let it rest in place without pushing down on it.  When I remove the lid it lifts right off without having to do any extra effort.

HMMMMM same for me

[smokeasaurus]

I just place my lid on the barrel and let it rest in place without pushing down on it.  When I remove the lid it lifts right off without having to do any extra effort.

HMMMMM same for me

X2

[1Bigg_ER]

I have always used some push to close or open my lid from day one.

[cgseymour]

Hello 1Bigg_ER,
When you go to open the lid, does it come right off or does it feel like you might pick up the barrel?

I am wondering if too tight a fit could restrict expected air flow.

Something to ponder.

Thank you

[brentwoodkris]

Hello 1Bigg_ER,
When you go to open the lid, does it come right off or does it feel like you might pick up the barrel?

I am wondering if too tight a fit could restrict expected air flow.

Something to ponder.

Thank you

Now this has me wondering if this might be related to my problems with getting a consistent temperature on my PBC. No more pushing down the lid for me I guess!

[1Bigg_ER]

Hello 1Bigg_ER,
When you go to open the lid, does it come right off or does it feel like you might pick up the barrel?

I am wondering if too tight a fit could restrict expected air flow.

Something to ponder.

Thank you

Yes it does feel like I'll pick up the whole barrel.
Ideally the lid SHOULD fit snugly and airflow should be through the rebar vents and not the lid. That's why the snug fit never bothers me.

[Phillipslink]

Mine was so tight it also lifted the barrel.  I talked to Noah about it.  He indicated after using it for awhile I could expect the grease and soot to make it easier to remove.  I smeared some cooking oil around the rim and it was working OK after the second cook.  I snug it down to cook and it lifts right off.

[Paul Hart]

Yeah sometimes I have to fight it. I noticed that last night when I was running it really hot, it must have expanded a little because I started to think it was welded on there lol. When it's on, it's on good. I like that overall though. Most times you don't want draft from the lid pushing your temps up.

[muebe]

Lid needs to fit snug for proper air control. A loose lid will create very high temps.

When I lift my lid I tilt it slightly as I lift to make it easier to lift off.

As it gets hotter the metal expands. If the lid is cooler and the barrel is hotter the fit will be very tight due to expansion and contraction of the metal.

[Chief Mac]

Hello All,
Have been re-watching some of the videos and one thing I did notice yesterday was that my lid has a very snug fit.
If I place it on the barrel, it does not seat all the way.  I can push down around the rim, but then when I go to take it off, there is a noticeable amount of effort required to remove it.

Is this normal? or should I just place the lid on the barrel?

Just curious.

Thank you.
cg
I had and still have a time getting my cover off. I called Noah when I received the my cooker because I could not get the top to budge. He said that it will be tight because of the coating inside and after a couple of cooks when the grease forms around the barrel and top,  that lubrication should make the top easy to remove. Noah said to just use the back end of the hook tool to pop it open, or a piece of wood and a mallet. I used a 3/4 "wood dowel and a mallet to get it off. It was still tough last weekend when I did my first cook with it. This week I'm going to rub on a little canola or vegy oil along the barrel top edge and see if it helps it release. 
CM

Chris