odor and flash

Unknown

I have owned a large BGE for 1 1/2 yrs. and used it perhaps 50-70 times some slow cooking, a lot of grilling steaks and chops. Lately (last 2 or 3 times) after high temp grilling when I close the vent and put the damper on (for some smoke flavor on the steaks) there is a very bad odor coming from the egg. It smells like an incinerator burning plastic. Also for the first time I have been experiencing back draft and an explosive flash when I open the dome.I've burned the hair off my forearms!
I use BGE lump and wet mesquite wood chips. I have never cleaned the egg and I am wondering if that is the problem. Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Tim M

Joe B,[p]The only cleaning the Egg needs is a trip up to 600 deg now and then. I use mine mostly for grilling so mine never gets to cruddy - but your might need to just get hot and self-clean itself. [p]Remember - smoke and hot coals = backdraft. Always open the vents and burp the Egg when its all closed up after being above 300 deg or so - especially with wood chips in it.[p]Tim

Nature Boy

Joe B,
Flashes and whooshes are possible anytime you have a very hot fire. Burp your egg first, and always prepare a whoosh to be safe.[p]As far as the smell you detect....nothing smells like burnt plastic except for burnt plastic. Clean out all the lump from your firebox, and vacuum out the ashes. Try a different bag of lump possibly (I find items in nearly every bag that are not hardwood lump)[p]NB