Smoke leaking heavily from around the lid and door seams instead of mainly from chimney.

Safety first: The grill surfaces can be extremely hot during operation; adjust only when cool.

Steps to improve sealing:

• Inspect lid fit: When the grill is cool, close the lid and look for visible gaps around the perimeter.
• Adjust hinges: Loosen hinge bolts slightly, reposition the lid for better alignment, and retighten.
• Install gasket (if applicable): On models that support it, apply a high-temperature lid gasket kit around the cook chamber opening to improve the seal.
• Check for warping: If the lid or barrel is significantly warped, contact Z Grills support for replacement options.