Old Smokey electric smoker lid is difficult to remove or sticks to the body after cooking.

Safety first: Use heat-resistant gloves when handling a hot lid. Avoid sudden jerks that could cause spills or burns.

Steps to ease lid removal:

• 1. Clean contact surfaces: After cooling, clean the lid rim and body lip with a degreaser to remove sticky grease and residue.
• 2. Check for warping: Inspect the lid and body for out-of-round areas. Minor warping can sometimes be corrected with gentle pressure.
• 3. Lubricate with cooking oil: Wipe a very thin film of cooking oil around the rim to reduce sticking. Do not use petroleum-based lubricants inside the smoker.
• 4. Adjust gasket (if present): If you have added a gasket, ensure it is not too thick or swollen. Trim or replace with a thinner high-temp gasket if necessary.
• 5. Remove lid straight up: When hot, lift the lid straight up rather than at an angle to reduce binding from thermal expansion.

Note: Some tightness is normal and helps seal smoke. Focus on eliminating excessive sticking that makes safe handling difficult.