Pellet Fan

Pit Talk -- Comments and Questions Regarding These Pellet Pits => Dansons/Country Smokers...Louisana Grills...Pit Boss => Topic started by: SmokinHandyman on August 26, 2018, 11:30:56 AM

Title: Pit Has A Leak
Post by: SmokinHandyman on August 26, 2018, 11:30:56 AM
My Louisana LG 700 has a small leak grease collection area where the side attaches to the bottom of the barrel.
Any of you ever had this problem?
I am thinking about cleaning the area good and trying some of this. What is best to clean the area first?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LRLELK0/ref=sxts_kp_tr_2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=8778bc68-27e7-403f-8460-de48b6e788fb&pd_rd_wg=SeCig&pf_rd_r=62NN3CYGFHXD0QP404V5&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-top-slot&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_i=B01LRLELK0&pd_rd_w=DYG22&pf_rd_i=smoker+sealer+high+temp&pd_rd_r=38227250-21d0-45af-bbe8-25995c0598d4&ie=UTF8&qid=1535297287&sr=2

Any other ideas?
Title: Re: Pit Has A Leak
Post by: george255 on August 26, 2018, 01:06:22 PM
Depending on the size of the area to be cleaned and how easy it is to get to I would go to Lowes or Home depot and get some Acetone and Rubbing alcohol followed by a ton of cleaning rags. Start with the Acetone and break down as much grease as possible, get a propane torch and heat the area to be patched to get the remaining grease to flow and expose itself. Now use the alcohol to do the final cleaning, you might have to repeat the heating with the torch and wiping with alcohol and clean rags a few times to remove all the Goo. It will need to be spotless before applying the silicone or it won't stick and seal. You might want to consider some JB Weld instead of Silicone, just a thought. Be cautious when using the Acetone, it will create explosive fumes inside your grill, air out the inside with a fan before you fire up your torch to heat the patch area.
Title: Re: Pit Has A Leak
Post by: SmokinHandyman on August 26, 2018, 01:12:23 PM
I have only had this smoker for about 2 months. I am going to call Louisiana about it Monday.
Title: Re: Pit Has A Leak
Post by: Canadian John on August 26, 2018, 01:29:54 PM

 I would contact the manufacturer and insist on a fix or replacement..

 Years back, Traeger had the same issue. The end caps weren't sealed to the barrel.

 Trying to seal a grease filled crack may very well prove futile as the oily residue will keep seeping out lifting the sealer no matter what it is..If you have to go the sealer route, clean, and heat as mentioned
 above. The more heat and clean cycles the better. Then sand the area to provide tooth for the sealer to adhere to. High temp silicone isn't the same as regular silicone in that is very viscous and harder to work
 with.
Title: Re: Pit Has A Leak
Post by: Bentley on August 26, 2018, 03:12:50 PM
You could always thrown some cat litter in it and vac out when you clean.
Title: Re: Pit Has A Leak
Post by: SmokinHandyman on August 26, 2018, 03:28:42 PM
You could always thrown some cat litter in it and vac out when you clean.
Possibly, but I shouldn't have to do that with a new pit.
Most of the grease goes into the catch can.
Not a real big problem but when there is grease dripping on the bottom shelf of a new pit is BS.
If it was 5 years old I would deal with it.
Title: Re: Pit Has A Leak
Post by: SmokinHandyman on August 26, 2018, 03:33:01 PM
I am going to call about it tomorrow, I have talked with them before about the pit probe. They sent me a replacement I just have to put it in. Doesn't look easy though.
All in all if I get these problems solved I am very happy with my new pit.
Cooks and keeps very steady temps.
Title: Re: Pit Has A Leak
Post by: Bentley on August 26, 2018, 04:53:22 PM
I guess I have to ask why is the grease getting to the barrel?  Is that the issue?  Cuz not all manufactures seal the barrel of their pits, so leaking would be natural.  Now the grease is not supposed to get in the barrel, so that would be a design flaw.
Title: Re: Pit Has A Leak
Post by: bten on August 26, 2018, 05:22:30 PM
I guess I have to ask why is the grease getting to the barrel?  Is that the issue?  Cuz not all manufactures seal the barrel of their pits, so leaking would be natural.  Now the grease is not supposed to get in the barrel, so that would be a design flaw.

Unless you put the meat on the grate past the drip tray.  As it cooks, the grease falls outside of the drip tray area and down into the pit.  Ask me how I know  ???
Title: Re: Pit Has A Leak
Post by: SmokinHandyman on August 26, 2018, 08:11:54 PM
I guess I have to ask why is the grease getting to the barrel?  Is that the issue?  Cuz not all manufactures seal the barrel of their pits, so leaking would be natural.  Now the grease is not supposed to get in the barrel, so that would be a design flaw.

Unless you put the meat on the grate past the drip tray.  As it cooks, the grease falls outside of the drip tray area and down into the pit.  Ask me how I know  ???

I am not that dumb.

Sorry but I hope this explains more .

Look to the bottom right of the diagram. That is where  the prob. is.
Title: Re: Pit Has A Leak
Post by: bten on August 26, 2018, 09:28:33 PM
Sorry, I wasn't trying to offend anyone....

Sounds like a manufacturing issue.
Title: Re: Pit Has A Leak
Post by: TravlinMan on August 27, 2018, 06:19:54 AM
Been there, done that..  recommend a small tube of permatex ultra copper hi heat silicone from your local auto parts store.  Clean the area and dry well and apply a small coating to the lower seam area.  I also seal the area around my burn pot where it makes contact with the barrel to stop any air leakage for the combustion.

Had to do this on my LG as well as my little GMG Davey Crocket.

These would have sealed on their own with time anyway, but this stops the process in its tracks..

Just give it at least a day to cure...


.... :bbq:   :2cents:
Title: Re: Pit Has A Leak
Post by: TravlinMan on August 27, 2018, 06:28:51 AM
You could always thrown some cat litter in it and vac out when you clean.

The design of the arched drip tray, drops the grease directly on the bottom of the barrel, which then directs it to the grease drain tube and bucket..

The seam in the barrel, while very tight, some grease will still wick through until it is seasoned or sealed...

.... :bbq:
Title: Re: Pit Has A Leak
Post by: SmokinHandyman on August 27, 2018, 07:01:44 AM
Thanks TravlinMan
Title: Re: Pit Has A Leak
Post by: Bentley on August 27, 2018, 02:20:02 PM
An unusual a disposal of grease as I have ever seen!
Title: Re: Pit Has A Leak
Post by: SmokinHandyman on August 27, 2018, 02:48:05 PM
An unusual a disposal of grease as I have ever seen!
Yes Bentley it is.
I kinda miss my Traeger, but I really like this pit also, other than the grease disposal.
I called Dansons today and was told that I need to take some photos of the problem and e-mail them.
I think I can just seal it but I don't want to mess up my warranty.
As TravlinMan said it may fix itself. He has had the same issue.
Title: Re: Pit Has A Leak
Post by: Fire708 on August 27, 2018, 11:35:33 PM
I didn’t have this issue with mine but I hope you get it straightened out. I really enjoy my Louisiana pit. Travlinman has helped me in the past and his recommendations were spot on so fingers crossed for ya!
Title: Re: Pit Has A Leak
Post by: SmokinHandyman on August 28, 2018, 03:19:06 PM
I didn’t have this issue with mine but I hope you get it straightened out. I really enjoy my Louisiana pit. Travlinman has helped me in the past and his recommendations were spot on so fingers crossed for ya!

Yep, I will get fixed OK