BRADLEY SMOKER | "Taste the Great Outdoors"

Bradley Smokers => The Black Bradley Smoker (BTIS1) => Topic started by: Ka Honu on May 29, 2009, 09:28:42 AM

Title: Door gasket problem
Post by: Ka Honu on May 29, 2009, 09:28:42 AM
The gasket around the inside of the door on my OBS seems to be coming out of its track.

(http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/tt269/KaHonu/Doorgasket.jpg)

I tried to reseat it manually but that didn't work for me (I'm not known for my dexterity).  Before I strip the whole thing and/or break or ruin something, is there something else I should be trying?

Thanks.
Title: Re: Door gasket problem
Post by: js185vx on May 29, 2009, 01:02:29 PM
i had the same problem after only 2 smokes with my obs.  i e-mailed them & they responded back for me to call them.  they ended up sending me a brand new door less temp guage.  i was overwhelmed with such
great service. give them a call & good luck...
Title: Re: Door gasket problem
Post by: NePaSmoKer on May 29, 2009, 01:03:52 PM
If you lift the gasket where it seals around the cabinet (the 1/2" piece) there are screws behind it. Maybe the gasket ripped away from the screw.

nepas
Title: Re: Door gasket problem
Post by: smokeitall on May 29, 2009, 09:30:41 PM
Yeah mine did the same exact thing as yours, I have been kinda just living with it for now.  I will have to do something eventually.
Title: Re: Door gasket problem
Post by: Smokin Soon on May 29, 2009, 10:32:00 PM
I think the Bradley was punishing you for operating at the extreme temp swings you have in Hawaii between 78 to 85 degrees. How can any piece of equipment survive that kind of torture!!!
Just give Bradley a call, they will fix you up!
Title: Re: Door gasket problem
Post by: Ka Honu on May 30, 2009, 01:39:46 AM
Quote from: Smokin Soon on May 29, 2009, 10:32:00 PM
I think the Bradley was punishing you for operating at the extreme temp swings you have in Hawaii between 78 to 85 degrees. How can any piece of equipment survive that kind of torture!!!

El Nino has changed our weather patterns over the last 20 years or so. It got down to almost 55o a couple of nights this winter and has been uncomfortably close to 90o this week.
Title: Re: Door gasket problem
Post by: Tenpoint5 on May 30, 2009, 09:03:22 PM
Quote from: Ka Honu on May 30, 2009, 01:39:46 AM
Quote from: Smokin Soon on May 29, 2009, 10:32:00 PM
I think the Bradley was punishing you for operating at the extreme temp swings you have in Hawaii between 78 to 85 degrees. How can any piece of equipment survive that kind of torture!!!

El Nino has changed our weather patterns over the last 20 years or so. It got down to almost 55o a couple of nights this winter and has been uncomfortably close to 90o this week.

WOW at that temp you musta had to break out the green parka with the orange lining in the hat and the fake white fur around the hood!! I must add that 55 is almost shorts and tshirt weather around here. Minimum T-shirt weather.
Title: Re: Door gasket problem
Post by: Ka Honu on May 31, 2009, 12:58:37 AM
10.5 - I hate to be the one to point it out, but your comments about the disparities in the climates of our chosen homes definitely tends to make me appear the smarter of the two of us.
Title: Re: Door gasket problem
Post by: Tenpoint5 on May 31, 2009, 07:45:32 AM
Quote from: Ka Honu on May 31, 2009, 12:58:37 AM
10.5 - I hate to be the one to point it out, but your comments about the disparities in the climates of our chosen homes definitely tends to make me appear the smarter of the two of us.

NO Way!!! I like having 4 seasons. I actually prefer fall and winter. I look at it this way. When it's hot I can only strip down so far and I'm still hot. But when It's cold I can always put more clothes on.
Title: Re: Door gasket problem
Post by: Ka Honu on May 31, 2009, 09:01:38 AM
Quote from: Tenpoint5 on May 31, 2009, 07:45:32 AM... I actually prefer ... winter.

I rest my case.
Title: Re: Door gasket problem
Post by: Ka Honu on June 01, 2009, 07:39:11 PM
Talked to Brian this morning - they're sending me a new gasket.

If I had a job, I think I'd want his.  He does whatever he wants with any Bradley product and if he breaks it, he just picks up a free replacement at the office. I bet he even has an expense account for meat and other required comestibles (including beer, I'm sure - He is, after all, Can-eh-dian).  What a deal!
Title: Re: Door gasket problem
Post by: Bradley (Head Office) on June 01, 2009, 09:08:00 PM
Hi Ka Honu

QuoteI bet he even has an expense account for meat and other required comestibles
I wish  :) :)

It was nice talking to you today take care

Brian
Title: Re: Door gasket problem
Post by: Ka Honu on June 01, 2009, 09:52:07 PM
Brian, Brian, Brian -Lie to me.  I want to think there's this absolutely perfect job out there somewhere and that someone I sorta know has it.
Title: Re: Door gasket problem
Post by: CB on June 01, 2009, 11:03:51 PM
Uh ---- I do, and thanks.  We met.   ;)
Title: Re: Door gasket problem
Post by: Ka Honu on June 02, 2009, 12:26:36 AM
Good point but I'm trying to train Brian to be as devious as we are.  Work with me here, CB.
Title: Re: Door gasket problem - Fixed?
Post by: Ka Honu on June 09, 2009, 07:19:47 PM
Brian -

Received and installed the new gasket today.  Thanks for the quick response (For a "routine replacement part," one week from Canada to Illinois to Hawaii definitely qualifies as a "quick response").

I may have found the reason for the original problem.  When I took the old gasket off, I noticed that several of the holes in the "inner flange" (for want of a better term - the part that's screwed between the two parts of the door) were torn loose because the screws had gone through the edge of the flange itself instead of the holes provided (between the hole and edge of the flange closest to the center of the door).  You might consider a wider or heavier flange and/or using washers between the flange and the outer door to hold it a bit more securely.

I also noticed that when I replaced the gasket, there now appears to be a slight gap between the gasket and the smoker box.  Hopefully the gasket will "settle" and expand a bit - the test will be tomorrow when I fire it up for a boneless leg of lamb (plus some tasso and chicken thighs just to fill up the shelves a bit).

Thanks again and wish me luck.
Title: Re: Door gasket problem
Post by: car54 on June 09, 2009, 07:27:38 PM
Ka Honu,

Lamb is one off my favorites. What will your process be.

Thanks, Brad
Title: Re: Door gasket problem
Post by: Ka Honu on June 09, 2009, 07:39:03 PM
Pretty much like the one here (http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=2046.msg19553#msg19553) except that I make my gravies with roux instead of cornstarch (You can take the boy out of the bayou but you can't take the bayou out of the boy).
Title: Re: Door gasket problem
Post by: Bradley (Head Office) on June 10, 2009, 04:48:34 AM
Hi Ka Honu

When the new door gasket heats up a little give it a slight pull in the area where the gap is this will stretch it slightly and it should be fine then

If you still have the old gasket can you send me a close up picture of were the screws were torn out, I would like to send it to our inspector at the factory.

Thanks Brian
Title: Re: Door gasket problem
Post by: Ka Honu on June 10, 2009, 06:45:02 AM
Brian -

Here are a couple of pics of the top of the gasket where all four holes were torn.

I slid a piece of white stuff between the flanges for contrast.  The second photo is where the buckling occurred.
(http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/tt269/KaHonu/Gasket002.jpg)
(http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/tt269/KaHonu/Gasket003.jpg)
Title: Re: Door gasket problem
Post by: Bradley (Head Office) on June 10, 2009, 04:04:27 PM
Hi Ka Honu

Thanks for the pictures
Could i trouble you to send them to me as an attachment in a email

Please send to [email protected]

Thanks

Brian
Title: Re: Door gasket problem
Post by: Ka Honu on June 10, 2009, 04:28:13 PM
[
Quote from: Bradley (Head Office) on June 10, 2009, 04:04:27 PM...send them to me as an attachment ...

Done.
Title: Re: Door gasket problem
Post by: GlennG on June 17, 2009, 06:36:05 PM

Man I'm on my 6th smoke and the gasket/seal has come off the inner door frame.  The gasket is still attached to all the other edges of the door.  The trays are often sticky after a smoke and tend to rub against the inside flange.  I'm been very careful about it, but it still came off.  I'm in the middle of smoke and have to put up with it right now.

I guess I'd better register my Bradley.   Have had it for a few months but didn't anticipate anything going wrong.  I'm going to take a closer look to see if it's torn or if it's something less serious.  I just presumed the glue came loose, but I don't exactly know how this thing is attached.
Title: Re: Door gasket problem
Post by: Smokin Soon on June 17, 2009, 06:43:42 PM
In the automotive world, that's an over tightened gasket.
Title: Re: Door gasket problem
Post by: KyNola on June 17, 2009, 07:39:11 PM
Hey Glenn,
If that is your 6th smoke, have you cleaned the edge of the box where your gasket would seal against the box when the door is closed?  As you mentioned the trays are sticky.  The gasket and the surface around the edge of the box will get just as sticky from the smoke residue. The door gasket will stick and when you go to open it for the next smoke session, you can tear the gasket away from the door.  Try wiping both the gasket and the edge of the box with alcohol to remove the sticky residue.

KyNola
Title: Re: Door gasket problem
Post by: Gizmo on June 17, 2009, 09:19:37 PM
The gasket is attached with screws.  Take a look to see if it just slid out from under the gasket holes.  You might be able to get the screws to tighten back down long enough to be able to use if you need a new one.  As mentioned, cleaning the box and gasket will help keep it from sticking.
Title: Re: Door gasket problem
Post by: GlennG on June 17, 2009, 10:01:03 PM

Thanks for the quick replies!
I wasn't sure what the proper term was for the rubber liner.

Yeah, I've been cleaning the rig after every smoke.  I haven't tried alcohol (but you know I hate to wste that!)  And yes I was cleaning the liner as well.  The liner was definitely sticking to the "fridge" sidewall, and was getting a lot of pulling pressure every time I went to open the OBS.  Anyway, hopefully it just fell off the screws.  I'll check it out tomorrow after the smoke is done.