Lid gasket - yes or no?

[muralboy]

Hey gang - you guys certainly are more experienced and smarter than I on pellet smokers, so I'm looking for a little advice.  I noticed that smoke leaks around the edges of the lid of the smoker, more so on heavier smokes.  Should I add a gasket to help seal off the lid?

I question this because when we purchased the grill, the guy recommended to sometimes prop the lid open slightly to "help with airflow".

Any thoughts/opinions on whether to add gasket or not?  Or do I want some smoke escaping around the edges?  Will a tight seal cause the smoke to flow more quickly and/or directly to the stack rather that move around the grill?

I thank you all in advance for any advice

[teesquare]

Tell us more about what kind ( brand and model) you are using. And - if you have any pictures or video of the smoke leakage...that will help.

[muralboy]

The grill is a PelletPro 627. 

In this photo I was running in high smoke mode, working the cold smoker at the same time as heat smoking. 

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[muralboy]

this is more of an average smoke - If you look closely you can see a thin layer of smoke at the bottom and top edge

thanks again for looking and for your help

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[Smokin Don]

I don't think I would worry too much about the leakage MB. I don't have the same smoker but mine leaks at the top and bottom about the way yours does. At start up mine will leak smoke at the top, and bottom of the lid, out the grease outlet and even out where the RTD wires go in. I think this shows I get good circulation and smoke coverage through out the smoker. During normal conditions I see very little smoke coming from the lid.

I have a small 1/16 inch gap at the top and bottom of my lid because the round lid fits over the end caps. I was going to seal them but never did, I like the gap at the bottom since it allows space for my grill temp and meat temp probes without putting pressure on them.

Someone in real cold temp cooking may need to seal for heat loss but I cook when it's 20 deg. and above and have had no problems holding temps to cook by. Don



 

[muralboy]

I don't think I would worry too much about the leakage MB. I don't have the same smoker but mine leaks at the top and bottom about the way yours does. At start up mine will leak smoke at the top, and bottom of the lid, out the grease outlet and even out where the RTD wires go in. I think this shows I get good circulation and smoke coverage through out the smoker. During normal conditions I see very little smoke coming from the lid.

I have a small 1/16 inch gap at the top and bottom of my lid because the round lid fits over the end caps. I was going to seal them but never did, I like the gap at the bottom since it allows space for my grill temp and meat temp probes without putting pressure on them.

Someone in real cold temp cooking may need to seal for heat loss but I cook when it's 20 deg. and above and have had no problems holding temps to cook by. Don

You hit the nail on the head - leaves are falling and worried about my first season of cold weather grilling with my pellet smoker.  I'm also considering buying a thermal covering which got me thinking about airflow.  If the cover obstructs the flow of smoke along the top is that going to create a problem?