Building a BBQ Smoker Part 10. When building a Barbecue smoker, or grill, door locking mechanisms are usually forgotten to the last moment, but really these should be planned in from the start, as a good seal and a convenient location are important. There are several options for door locks. Keep in mind that a lock mechanism needs to be easy to use and durable, and shouldn’t bend or give when in the locked position. This is the first criteria you should think about when selecting door lock to weld or bolt on your smoker. There are cambers, overcenter type locks that can be bought at a welding supply facility to clamp the doors from the outside. They can end up being pricey. I’ve seen old icebox type locks which offer style and class, but again are pricey. Shop fabricated locks that function just as well can be made much more inexpensively and will give the unit feel a much more customized look and feel. I tend to replicate the old wood stove door lock style with a lever on the outside, and a curved over piece on the inside that slides down onto a metal ramp made out of flat bar as it brought parallel with the ground. As the curved over piece contacts the ramp, the ramp pulls the door down tight. Although the store bought clamps and locks look nice, I really do like how my own locks work. If you are considering making your own, it isn’t hard, and there are plenty of mechanisms out there that can be copied. A little experimentation and testing, and you can come up with your equally innovative way of latching the lid.
Posted on: Wed, 21 Aug 2013 03:30:00 +0000
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