Smoker cabinet exterior becomes excessively hot to the touch during normal operation.

Safety first: Avoid touching hot exterior surfaces; keep children and pets away. Unplug and cool before inspection.

Steps:

• Check for obvious damage: Inspect the interior liner for warping, burn-through, or gaps exposing insulation.
• Inspect insulation (advanced): Remove side or rear panels to view the insulation. Look for charred, missing, or compressed sections.
• Verify temperature: Use an oven thermometer to confirm the smoker is not exceeding its rated maximum temperature.

Repair: Replace damaged cabinet insulation or the inner liner panel. If the smoker is overheating, also test and replace the high-limit thermostat as needed.