Fixing a Sprung Smoker Firebox Lid

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EmoryJ
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Fixing a Sprung Smoker Firebox Lid

Postby EmoryJ » Sun May 17, 2020 1:01 pm

Hi Folks. I hope you're all well. Awesome to find this forum.
Thanks in advance for any thought or help you might have for me.

I found a Brinkmann Cimarron sitting curbside that is in great shape to clean up and use.
Other than the cleanup and some slight mods that others have come up with - the only problem with the unit
is that the firebox lid is sprung/warped. The previous owner said that he used two 50 lb dumbbells to keep it closed
(That seems like a lot, given how easily it closes to hand pressure).

It seems like there must a way to fix it, so 'i'm turning to you ...

Can a remote welder come and heat it so it can be re-bent?
Should I just have two pieces welded on to flip down and hold it?
Something else?

Thanks again.

Emory in Appalachia
Attachments
IMG_20151012_105120561_HDR.jpg
Someone else's project - for reference
20200517_123227.jpg
20200517_123246.jpg
20200517_125604.jpg
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Re: Fixing a Sprung Smoker Firebox Lid

Postby OldUsedParts » Sun May 17, 2020 1:46 pm

Howdy and Welcome to the Forum :tup: :texas: :salut: - - I'm pretty sure that K.A.M. or some other Members will be helping you find the answers you need so just hang in there, OK ?
I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country—Victory or Death. William Barret Travis - Lt. Col. comdt "The Alamo"
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Re: Fixing a Sprung Smoker Firebox Lid

Postby EmoryJ » Sun May 17, 2020 1:48 pm

Thanks for the welcome. Glad to be here!.
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Re: Fixing a Sprung Smoker Firebox Lid

Postby hogaboomer » Sun May 17, 2020 2:55 pm

Kind of hard to tell if it's sprung, or the hinges are just put on wrong. Where is it hitting?
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Re: Fixing a Sprung Smoker Firebox Lid

Postby k.a.m. » Mon May 18, 2020 11:10 am

Really need better pics of the whole cooker. Door open/closed. With the amount of visible rust it could simply be rust built up between the inner door seal and lid. The rust will keep the door from closing properly.
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.



My Hybrid cooker.
Competition trailer #2.
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Re: Fixing a Sprung Smoker Firebox Lid

Postby EmoryJ » Mon May 18, 2020 12:20 pm

Thanks for your replies -
The firebox lid/door warped up in use (says the previous owner)
it seems to me that heating it and hammering it in place would work,
but I wonder about it warping back?
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Re: Fixing a Sprung Smoker Firebox Lid

Postby EmoryJ » Mon May 18, 2020 12:23 pm

It's hitting in the lid track nicely, but it's raised like 3/4" so the bottom and sides have leaks.
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Re: Fixing a Sprung Smoker Firebox Lid

Postby k.a.m. » Tue May 19, 2020 8:50 am

Personally I have never seen a door spring that bad do to heat that did not relax and come back once cooled. Is the blasted cooker pic this cooker or another?
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.



My Hybrid cooker.
Competition trailer #2.
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Re: Fixing a Sprung Smoker Firebox Lid

Postby hogaboomer » Tue May 19, 2020 11:41 am

It looks like it's raised up all the way to the hinge. IMO, the hinges need to be re-done. In the overhead shot the gap at the top of the door looks awfully tight, that may have something to do with it not closing right.
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Re: Fixing a Sprung Smoker Firebox Lid

Postby k.a.m. » Tue May 19, 2020 1:47 pm

hogaboomer wrote:It looks like it's raised up all the way to the hinge. IMO, the hinges need to be re-done. In the overhead shot the gap at the top of the door looks awfully tight, that may have something to do with it not closing right.

I noticed that as well which led me to think rust may be the issue. It is possible to take a grinder to that top edge while in place and allow the door to come down. I also use painters tape on the inner edge of the door to see where it is compressing the tape. This helps me determine how I will proceed with a door that is to tight.
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.



My Hybrid cooker.
Competition trailer #2.
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Re: Fixing a Sprung Smoker Firebox Lid

Postby hogaboomer » Tue May 19, 2020 3:37 pm

Yep, open up the lid and take a grinder to the top edge. Grind about a 1/16th or so back and see what happens then. I think the door is pinched at the top.
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Re: Fixing a Sprung Smoker Firebox Lid

Postby Weaverspit » Mon Jul 06, 2020 12:14 pm

Re weld the door hinges grind them off ...reset the door or use 2stout heavy duty hinges ..bolt them in ..use stainless steel bolts ...either way ...
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Re: Fixing a Sprung Smoker Firebox Lid

Postby hogaboomer » Mon Jul 06, 2020 12:47 pm

He never did come back and tell us what he did. :banghead:
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Re: Fixing a Sprung Smoker Firebox Lid

Postby k.a.m. » Tue Jul 07, 2020 9:15 am

:laughing7:
hogaboomer wrote:He never did come back and tell us what he did. :banghead:

Another flash in the pan brother.
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.



My Hybrid cooker.
Competition trailer #2.
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Re: Fixing a Sprung Smoker Firebox Lid

Postby hogaboomer » Tue Jul 07, 2020 7:59 pm

Aggravating. :angryfire:

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