Do I need a new gasket?

PackerFan

Hello,[p]I have had my egg about 4 months and noticed last night when I had Brats smoking like crazy that I had a small stream of smoke coming out of the back center of the egg at the gasket. It almost appears that is leaking at the seam of the gasket. Is this normal? I am not having any trouble with temperature and have seen no flames leak through this area. What should I do?[p]Thanks,
Kenny

TRex

PackerFan,[p]My gasket has been leaking slightly (only can see it when I have a bunch of smoke) for over a year now. It doesn't affect my temperature control or the end results. I don't think you should be concerned.[p]If you wanted to close the leak in the back, you could probably just loosen the bolts in the band when the dome is shut, and allow it to seat completely, then retighten the bolts. Maybe I'm just lazy, but I wouldn't go through the trouble if it wasn't affecting my cooking.[p]Just my two cents.[p]TRex

ChefRD

PackerFan,
My Egg has almost all the original gasket burnt off after about 6~8 years? and it still works for me. I have a 12# brisket cooking right now and it has been holding at around 225~235 degrees for the last 6 hours.
The bottom slide is open very slightly, and the daisy top is about 1/2 closed and it seems to have settled out at that temp. When the smoke from the wood was heavy it did leak a little from the seals it doesn't appear to be a problem and I can still maintain the low temps I want.
So while you can change the seals for better control, I think it depends on your egg and the flatness of the mating surfaces that determines if you really need to. In my case, I have not needed too so I have not replaced mine after all these years.
Later,
ChefRD