Excessive smoke leaks from around the door and seams, not just the vent.

Safety first: Work on the smoker only when it is cool.

• Verify pan placement: Ensure the drip pan and water pan are correctly seated and not propping the door open.
• Inspect cabinet seams: Tighten any loose screws around the cabinet and door frame.
• Replace gasket: Install a new door gasket if the existing one is flattened or brittle.
• Seal minor gaps: For small non‑structural gaps, use high‑temperature food‑safe silicone sealant on the exterior seams only.