New smoker leaks around lid - can i fix it?

[DirtyTurtle]

My new Kelley smoker leaks around the lid where the seam is. It isn't that big of a deal, but it does puff a little smoke back on my hands. I'd just prefer the smoke went out the nozzle where it belongs.

I've tried tweaking the shape of the lid and can a bit, but it still leaks.

Any ideas?

[JRH]

Call them and ask for a UPS Call Tag to return it at their expense. Exchange it for another one or ask for a refund.

[sqkcrk]

Keep using it. It will stop once the kreosote builds up.

[NasalSponge]

It will stop once the creosote builds up.

Oh yea...they are "self sealing"

[tommyt]

J B Weld

[Ben Brewcat]

Any ideas?

Yep; use some cedar chips, pine needles, or just use it a few times. One of the hardest things (well, most frequent frustrations) for new beeks is keeping the smoker burning, so pack up a couple and work on your smoker mojo.

All too soon you'll be taking the torch to it so you can open it without a jaws-of-life

[NasalSponge]

....or end up knocking the handle off with your hive tool trying to get it open

[DirtyTurtle]

Thanks, folks.

I've had it lit twice while I await my girls. I haven't had any trouble lighting or keeping it lit (I used to forge metal with coal - eerily similar lighting techniques).

I'm not sure I want to go the JB weld route, and it is leaking from quite a gap between the lid and can rim so I don't know that creosote will seal that. Seems like a new piece of equipment ought to have better fit than this.

I'll call Kelley on Monday to see what they say.