Why greased hinges?

[akjeff]

I see that bullet style hinges are offered with a grease zerk, and curious as to why? Is there a food safe grease available to lube them with? Don't think I'd be too crazy about having a hinge at the top of my smoker lubed with petroleum based grease, and risk it dripping into the cook chamber. Thoughts?

Jeff

[Stewart]

Never had an issue with mine dripping at all. Ive run my pit 150-500 degrees without an issue. But to each his own.

[akjeff]

Good to know, and why I asked. Kinda concerned that the heat would cause the grease to weep into the CC. Doesn't sound like that's the case.

Jeff

[JKalchik]

There are quite a few food safe greases available, should you desire, and in quite a wide range of formulations. -40 to 500 degrees F looks to be a pretty common spec, and the hinges are well outside the cook chamber, so that shouldn't be an issue. Even on the ash door, it's probably not much of a problem.

[Stewart]

I use good old fashioned marine grease lol. No issues with weeping or dripping. I'm cooking pigs constantly almost every weekend and small parties thruought the week and havnt had a problem on the FB door or cc door.

[akjeff]

Really appreciate the first hand knowledge guys!

I believe I will be welding on bullets hinges( with grease zerk! ) when I get to that stage.

Jeff

[Dirtytires]

I used the greasable only to allow a little protection against grease. Just use regular automotive grease but don’t over-pack. No problems after 2 years.