mguerra Posted April 24, 2022 Report Share Posted April 24, 2022 Anytime you can reasonably and safely do so, decompress any seals and gaskets you have. For the KK, when the fire is out, move the lid latch to position one and pop the top vent loose. Gaskets last longer if you can decompress them. Washing machine door, dryer door, dishwasher door, scuba regulator, fishing reel drag, needle valves, anything with a gasket or o-ring that you don’t have to tighten down on all the time, don’t. When reasonable, I leave the KK lid fully open. Look around at all your stuff and you’ll find applications for this concept. For example, I keep a spare Polaris backup valve for the pool. There’s an o-ring in the case halves and in the outlet for the reverse jet. I keep it disassembled with a coating of waterproof grease on these o-rings. I only reassemble it and compress the o-rings when I put it in service. When you take your garden hoses out of service for the season, release them from the spigots to decompress the o-rings and if you have any quick connects with o-rings, release them. Pelican or Seahorse cases, plastic ammo boxes, the list is endless. Look around and you’ll find lots of seals and o-rings you can extend the life on. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poochie Posted April 24, 2022 Report Share Posted April 24, 2022 Good thinking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheesehead_Griller Posted April 25, 2022 Report Share Posted April 25, 2022 How long after a KK is closed up tight can it be reopened without the coals restarting? I understand coal bed size and or whatever other variables. Just curious of an “average” time you let the grill rest before opening it up to “ease” the gaskets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C6Bill Posted April 25, 2022 Report Share Posted April 25, 2022 (edited) I just leave it eased when I am done cooking. With the lower vents closed and the top just snug it goes out. Edited April 25, 2022 by C6Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony b Posted April 25, 2022 Report Share Posted April 25, 2022 I look for a 50F or more temperature drop in the dome as my indicator that the fire has gone out. Usually by the time that dinner is over and cleaned up. Then, I open the top vent and lid to the 1st position, pull the dome thermometer (winter) and put the cover on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tucker Posted April 25, 2022 Report Share Posted April 25, 2022 I have never done this on any of the cookers I own. hmm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheesehead_Griller Posted April 25, 2022 Report Share Posted April 25, 2022 4 hours ago, tony b said: I look for a 50F or more temperature drop in the dome as my indicator that the fire has gone out. Usually by the time that dinner is over and cleaned up. Then, I open the top vent and lid to the 1st position, pull the dome thermometer (winter) and put the cover on it. Thanks, that's what I was looking for. I was told by numerous KK owners that they leave the lid in the 1st position and unscrew the top vent a bit while the grill isn't being used. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poochie Posted April 26, 2022 Report Share Posted April 26, 2022 I open the vents after it has cooled off for at least 12 hours. But I'm going to start leaving the lid in the first position too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony b Posted April 26, 2022 Report Share Posted April 26, 2022 2 hours ago, Poochie said: But I'm going to start leaving the lid in the first position too. 👍 It's good for avoiding gasket compression - extends the service life. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
