DLX24 Ash Dump Slide Door Sticks

[SmokinAZ]

The ash dump door on my DLX24 sticks badly and is difficult to open and close. Does anyone know of a food safe lubricant that I could use on it or should I just take apart every time I clean out the smoker?

[GolfGeezer]

I would always unlatch it before a cook and slide it back and forth vigorously, then do the same after the cook. Never needed anything to lube it. Is it rusting or is the plate warped that you can discern?

[glitchy]

Mine was sticking quite a bit, so I pulled it out, made sure it was flat likeGolfGeezer mentioned, then scraped it down really well on both sides with a painters tool. Worked a lot better after that. They make food grade silicone that might loosen gunk up in the channels where it slides, but I’d think any lubrication would burn away after the first fire.

[HawkerXP]

Wow. I can tell you that at 63 my dump door works just fine...... wait...what?

[IdahoJim]

Woah. TMI

[SmokinAZ]

No, it doesn't look warped, but it has always been difficult to open and close since Day 1. Upon closer inspection, there does appear to be quite a bit of grease and ash built up on the door and the connecting rod. I think I'll take it out, degrease it, and take a little steel wool to it. We'll see what happens. Thanks for your thoughts.

[Dadof3Illinois]

Mine was doing the same thing, it was stuck TIGHT when the cooker was cold. I could dump it easy right after shutdown while it was still warm.
This weekend I took it out and used some 220 sandpaper around the edges and that helped a ton!!