Door sticking - advice please

[pax238]

I've noticed that, particularly as the outside temperature goes down (and I do more cold smoked salmon), the door on my #1 gets stuck (and I mean STUCK). I've looked at different posts and see that it seems that a few people have had the same issue. Solutions that people talk about are running the smoker at 100+ degrees for 20-30 minutes (not really viable if I want to cold smoke), and using cooking spray around the edges.

I'm wondering if it makes sense to just do a really good cleaning of the areas where the door makes contact with the box and, if so, what I should use to clean it.

 

[NDKoze]

My guess is that it is the sugars from your brine/rub that is causing the door to stick.

My guess is that a bucket of warm water and a brush/wash cloth would help remove some of the sticky goo that can build up on your door seal.

 

[DivotMaker]

Barry, are you foiling the bottom of the smoker, so the juices won't overflow through the bottom of the door?

 

[pax238]

Barry, are you foiling the bottom of the smoker, so the juices won't overflow through the bottom of the door?

I am, Tony, and the salmon, which is all I smoke - hot and cold (I know... sacrilege) doesn't seem to kick off that much at all, according to what I'm finding in the drip tray.

 

[pax238]

My guess is that it is the sugars from your brine/rub that is causing the door to stick.

My guess is that a bucket of warm water and a brush/wash cloth would help remove some of the sticky goo that can build up on your door seal.

Thanks Gregg.