Put a lid on it - II

Jeepster47

Some folks complain that the Smokeware cap doesn't snuff the lump as well as the ceramic cap.  Last December, I came up with a simple lid that would fit inside my Smokeware cap and duplicate the positive seal of the ceramic cap.  For my egg configuration, it showed an improvement on shut down time, so I've continued to use it.  Here's the thread: http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1173654/put-a-lid-on-it/p1 

The feedback, as you would expect, was all the way from "what problem" to "great idea."  Some of you suggested that I share the idea with Matt from Smokeware.  I did do that finally, and he liked the idea.  In fact, he liked the idea enough to put it into production ... with improvements.  This past weekend he sent me a prototype sample.  The prototype looks like it's made from stainless steel which adds more weight than my aluminum or wooden lids for improved sealing.



To improve the sealing even more, he added a seal to the bottom ... neat idea ... now I'll have to see if I can add that to mine.



So, if you want ceramic cap level sealing with out having to change caps, then you might be interested in this new addition to Matt's product lineup.  He mentioned that the plan is to have them in house in late May for sales in June.  Don't know what the selling price will be.

And no, this is not a paid advertisement/review.  I shared the idea with Matt free gratis.

Dobie

I would say this validates the complaints about the cap not shutting down completely on its own. 

Ozzie_Isaac

That looks nice!  Especially like the addition of the felt seal.

Ladeback69

Jeepster47 said:

Some folks complain that the Smokeware cap doesn't snuff the lump as well as the ceramic cap.  Last December, I came up with a simple lid that would fit inside my Smokeware cap and duplicate the positive seal of the ceramic cap.  For my egg configuration, it showed an improvement on shut down time, so I've continued to use it.  Here's the thread: http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1173654/put-a-lid-on-it/p1 

The feedback, as you would expect, was all the way from "what problem" to "great idea."  Some of you suggested that I share the idea with Matt from Smokeware.  I did do that finally, and he liked the idea.  In fact, he liked the idea enough to put it into production ... with improvements.  This past weekend he sent me a prototype sample.  The prototype looks like it's made from stainless steel which adds more weight than my aluminum or wooden lids for improved sealing.



To improve the sealing even more, he added a seal to the bottom ... neat idea ... now I'll have to see if I can add that to mine.



So, if you want ceramic cap level sealing with out having to change caps, then you might be interested in this new addition to Matt's product lineup.  He mentioned that the plan is to have them in house in late May for sales in June.  Don't know what the selling price will be.

And no, this is not a paid advertisement/review.  I shared the idea with Matt free gratis.

I have to get a Smokewear cap and this soon if the price is right.

Eggcelsior

Dobie said:

I would say this validates the complaints about the cap not shutting down completely on its own. 

Not for me. I see no need for this.

Jeepster47

@Dobie ... this morning I've got ribs going on the egg.  When I started it up with the DigiQ running and the smoke hadn't cleared yet, there was smoke leaking out of several locations.  The bottom vent (even though I've added extra RTV and a wedge) the front third of my cap-to-base seam (even though my seal is in good shape) and the Smokeware cap.

What I found on my egg is that the Smokeware cap does snuff the fire ... not unlike shutting down with the daisy wheel.  It's just that with the lid it shuts down more like the ceramic cap. 

Dobie

Eggcelsior said:

show previous quotes

Dobie said:

I would say this validates the complaints about the cap not shutting down completely on its own. 

Not for me. I see no need for this.

I will not be buying it but the manufacturer wouldnt need to make one if the problem didn't exist. 
@Jeepster47 eggs can leak from other places for sure and the fire will still go out. 

Jeepster47

@Dobie ... don't mean this to be argumentative, but would you also say that "BGE wouldn't have to make the ceramic cap if the daisy wheel leakage didn't exist."

Dobie

I never said BGE or daisy wheel. Its Smokeware or are you just trolling me? 

Jeepster47

@Dobie ... no I'm not trying to troll you.  You made a very strong statement about the "cap not shutting down completely on its own."  In my experience that's not true ... some folks even claim they shut down their eggs with no cap.

Just like I used to exchange the daisy wheel for the ceramic cap to obtain a faster shut down, I now add the lid to get a faster shut down with the Smokeware cap.  Nothing more nor less.

Cheers.

EggPerfection

That is an interesting solution!

4Runner

I think it is moot.  Even if someone performs a detailed analysis of how much extra lump is burned, it won't amount to anything significant.   Still, neat idea and apparently some people will want it.   

DoubleEgger

I have a design question @Jeepster47. Is there a chance that water would stand on the cap in the rain since it is seated inside the smokeware base? Is it designed so that water will run out of the side vents in the base? 

Jeepster47

@DoubleEgger ... the lid fits inside the lower half and under the upper half of the SW cap.  It would be hard for water to get on top of the lid 'cuz one of the features of the cap is that it keeps water out of that area.

Matt's cap is a slightly smaller diameter than the base, thus any water that could get under the cap would run off the lid, down the sides of the base, and soak through the seal between the base and the neck of the dome.  Or, since the bottom of the vents are at or slightly above the top of the ceramic neck, most water would run off the lid and out through the vents ... that might happen if you left the top of the SW cap off by accident.

Clear?

DoubleEgger

@Jeepster47I gotcha. I was thinking this cap was in lieu of the top portion of the cap akin to the daisy wheel/ceramic cap setup. 

Ozzie_Isaac

I use a wood plug.  Lift the top cap off, drop the plug in, put the top back on.  Go inside.

My smokeware on the XL is very tight and will shutdown the XL on its own.

On my medium the tolerance stack-up is different and I burned through fair amount of lump.  Admittedly I have the original BGE gasket.  I've been to lazy to put the SW gasket on.  With the wood plug it shuts down just as fast as the ceramic cap.

Personally I love the SW cap and plug combo.  I like the looks and the function, especially in the rainy snowy mid-west.

RRP

Ozzie_Isaac said:

I use a wood plug.  Lift the top cap off, drop the plug in, put the top back on.  .

Say what? Note my spiral cut dowel so placement is safe.

Ozzie_Isaac

Note the man and burly women size of my knob.  Including the undercut for a solid safe grip.

RRP

Ozzie_Isaac said:

Note the man and burly women size of my knob.  Including the undercut for a solid safe grip.

The stub knob with undercut is great for egress, but at that point the SmokeWare neck is cold so no burnt fingers. But with my taller narrower, spiral cut for good gripping keeps the fingers centered and out of harms way for the ingress phase when the SmokeWare neck is HOT!

Ozzie_Isaac

I drop from on high.  Line up and drop.