Help me fix my bent lid please?

[jjdbike]

Hello fellow pitmasters,

I never noticed the brace on the right inside of the lid. When I was trying to open the lid wide to clean it I noticed I needed to bend that bracket out. It never occurred to me that the bracket was supposed to take the pressure off of the hinges.

Lately I noticed it being in the way when I try to open or close it. Last night I noticed that the lid wasn't closing completely, which I know isn't good. I assume it's as a result of the lid or hinges are bent due to opening it too far because of the bent bracket. Simply bring to bend the bracket back is not working.

I think I need to unscrew the bracket, bend it back and reinstall. Even after that, I will either need to bend (or unbend rather) the hinges or the metal its attached to.

Any suggestions?

Respectfully,
JD

[Uncle Bob]

Picture would help...

[jjdbike]

Picture would help...

Thanks Uncle Bob ,

Great idea!

[realdocBBQ]

Yeah I'm not envisioning what you mean all that well. Several pics from different angles would be helpful.

I do some smoker fabrication on the side and I can tell you from my experience, a little door warpage isn't a major issue, you may get some smoke leaking, but it's not a big enough deal to lose any sleep over - or even worry about.

If you want it fixed for aesthetic reasons, or because it's a LARGE gap/air leak (like an inch or something), that's another story. But unless it's really big, it's not affect your smoke, airflow, temps or anything relevant.

<edit>

Oh yeah, that's a pretty big gap. THAT one might be causing some issues! lol

[jjdbike]

Thanks realdocBBQ !

Done

JD

[jjdbike]

Picture would help...

Uncle Bob

And this...


Did these help?
Thanks in advance!
JD

[realdocBBQ]

Looks liek there's some adjustability built into that bracket. You could remove it and try to beat it to straighten it (or put it in a vise and pry), or maybe just loosen the screws and try to shift the top portion there where it looks like it has a slot for adjustability. That may be where the problem has come from - being not aligned (or tightened down) and over time causing the hinge to flex.

[tenphases]

I'm going to tell you what I would do I will also will warn you that my wife often calls me an idiot. 1. I would inspect to to ensure it's just warping. 2. I would get a rubber mallet and bang the shit out of it till closes properly. I wish I was kidding, I am not lol.

[realdocBBQ]

Nope, this works 95% of the time on large heavy smokers - on a little sheet metal smoker like a Treager, it most likely WILL work, although you could bend the hinges and cause them to bind when opening.

[tenphases]

realdocBBQ I agree 100% with ur assessment. Now give me my mallet 🤣

[realdocBBQ]

Yeah, pretty big gap there, the door sitting open 1.5-2" when left sitting? Odd... those pics of the hinges don't look like they would cause that much of an issue. Weird.

[TomfromtheSoo]

jjdbike

The bracket on the right is a catch to keep from over extending the opening and putting too much pressure on the hinges as you know.

Maybe? Maybe just loosen the bolts or screws holding the hinges in place and see if the lid will settle back into place? Open and close it a few times and it might settle in. Then tighten it back up.

Fall back on the hammer option is that doesn’t work.

[Murdy]

If it seals with the hinge loose and a gap in where the hinge attaches, maybe add some kind of spacer (like a washer).

[Duanessmokedmeats]

Get yourself a 10 to 15lbs. dumbell, and put it on the handle while smoking. It will help keep the lid down.

[jjdbike]

Thanks @Duanessokesmeat,

I really want to fix it so it works properly. I know it was user error for not understanding what that bracket did.
JD

[HawkerXP]

I can't believe no one has said this yet.

You need a new smoker!

[HawkerXP]

Come on. If you need to ask...........
jjdbike

[jjdbike]

I do..,
I’ve been considering a nicer pellet cooker.. my wife, not so much.
I do really dig the pimped out off road vibe!
JD

[gcdmd]

Don't we all?

[Uncle Bob]

I would recommend against the BFH approach. With thin sheet metal like this it's better to use leverage to reverse what looks like a hyperextension of the lid when opened. Hopefully you have a crescent wrench. A larger model with a deep throat on the open end would be best, but you could probably get bye with the smaller/conventional size, usually 8" long. Clamp the jaw tightly next to the hinge onto the lid metal, make sure you push it all the way into the throat of the jaw. You'll likely have an easier go of it if you unbolt the hinges (looks like two screws/nuts holding it to the body) and then use the wrench as a lever while holding the lid tightly so that the leverage you apply goes into the metal to bend it rather than turning the whole piece in mid air. Ease into it at first to get a good feel for how much strength to put into the effort so you don't make kinks that will distort the lid metal in a small area. You may end up levering closely to the hinge for the first adjustment and then moving over the width of the wrench jaw and doing it again, gently but forceful enough to get a small movement. Do that repeatedly if necessary (it will depend on how malleable the lid metal is), moving outward from the hinge. If I've explained that well enough you should have an almost invisible repair. Yes, you'll likely be mounting and dismounting the lid/hinges a few times to check fit, unless you're real lucky on the first or second shot.

[Oak Smoke]

Some men were born to work with metal. Bob is one of them. This will work.

[Uncle Bob]

Kind of you to say Lynn, but between my former business and in the hot rod hobby I've met so many metal masters I rate myself as likely an advanced backyard hack...

[Uncle Bob]

Here's a vid to help with the visualization of what I'm suggesting. You won't need the relief cuts he's made in the thicker material because your metal is much thinner and more flexible, it just gives a visual for the jaw clamping notion. How to bend 1/4 steel with with a wrench

[gcdmd]

Link, please? TIA
One video is worth a million (1000 X 1000) words.

[jjdbike]

Here's a vid to help with the visualization of what I'm suggesting. You won't need the relief cuts he's made in the thicker material because your metal is much thinner and more flexible, it just gives a visual for the jaw clamping notion. How to bend 1/4 steel with with a wrench

Wow thanks Uncle Bob !!!

[jjdbike]

Bob's you're uncle, and Fanny's your aunt!!!

[Uncle Bob]

What does that make Bobs fanny.....?

[Purc]

My grandfather swore he grew up with a girl named Fanny Gass!

[FireMan]

Yessir, Ol' HawkerXP said it best, the Amazon Wibs Way, git a new one, heh, heh!!!
Or, "If I had a hammer, I'd hammer in the morn......"

[John Henry]

Unca' Bob, You da' Man!