Well, I decided to go ahead and try to make the gasket fit. All worked out ok since the gasket is very soft and stretchy!

Tightend everything up, crimped a ring terminal onto my ground wire and placed it underneath a element flange bolt, added water and fired it up. It works fine! Not popping GFCI outlet.

I ended up bending the draw tube so thanks for saving me from cutting it down!
The Cremina is back in business!

No prob... Glad I could help and most of all good to see the problem is solved!!