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Gasket Burn

David1010
David1010 Posts: 15
edited September 2011 in EggHead Forum

I have only done high heat cooks (OK, really high heat, like 600-700) on my new egg, but have noticed that a portion of the felt gasket burned off (melted?) after only 2 cooks. Is this normal? I know that I had planned to replace the gasket when it wore out with the high heat one, but from what I read here gasket replacement is not a fun chore.  2 cooks does not seem normal. How many high heat cooks should one of these be good for before starting to fail?

 

David

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Comments

  • ChokeOnSmoke
    ChokeOnSmoke Posts: 1,942
    edited September 2011
    If your lid & base aren't in perfect alignment (and who's really is?), you could certainly burn that felt gasket up in just one high heat cook.

    If you're going to go through the trouble of replacing it, I'd recommend looking into the Rutland gasket (base only) applied with Permatex.  It's as "permanent" a solution as you're going to find out there.
    Packerland, Wisconsin

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  • windnsea26
    windnsea26 Posts: 159
    I just bought an egg in June and the gasket burned off in about 2 weeks.  I called Green Egg customer service and they sent me a Nomex one to replace it.  I've cooked about 50X on this thing already with temperatures ranging from 250-600.  It's still as thick as when I got it.
    San Diego, CA
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  • windnsea26
    windnsea26 Posts: 159
    I just bought an egg in June and the gasket burned off in about 2 weeks.  I called Green Egg customer service and they sent me a Nomex one to replace it.  I've cooked about 50X on this thing already with temperatures ranging from 250-600.  It's still as thick as when I got it.
    San Diego, CA
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  • 4Runner
    4Runner Posts: 2,948
    white "nomex" one with 3M Super 77 works better than OEM.  
    Joe - I'm a reformed gasser-holic aka 4Runner Columbia, SC Wonderful BGE Resource Site: http://www.nakedwhiz.com/ceramicfaq.htm and http://www.nibblemethis.com/  and http://playingwithfireandsmoke.blogspot.com/2006/02/recipes.html
    What am I drinking now?   Woodford....neat
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  • David1010
    David1010 Posts: 15

    Thanks. Has anyone tried the Hi-Que nomex? Since it is self adhesive and I won't have to disassemble the egg I just put together a couple of weeks ago it seems like a good option. Is it the same thickness/quality as the BGE nomex? Also I have seen elsewhere that some people go without a gasket. A little smoke leaking out won't bother me if the performance is not impacted, and since I will do at least as much nuclear as low temp (probably more) I don't want to have to keep replacing the thing. Will nomex last a long time with frequent high heat cooks?

    I love this forum!

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  • 4Runner
    4Runner Posts: 2,948

    Disassemble isn't necessary for either.   Simply spray the Super 77 ahdesive in a cup and apply with a brush.  It is just much easier to change a gasket with the lid off.  Now, you could just go with a bottom gasket or like you posted, gasketless.  Either will work just fine.  I like a gasket to help cushion the blow.   As for high heat, I just don't worry.  I replaced my nomex gasket after almost 3 years and that was only b/c I got a table and needed to disassemble the Egg to install in the table.  I figured might as well.  I sear at a dome temp of 700 plus a good bit too. 

    Joe - I'm a reformed gasser-holic aka 4Runner Columbia, SC Wonderful BGE Resource Site: http://www.nakedwhiz.com/ceramicfaq.htm and http://www.nibblemethis.com/  and http://playingwithfireandsmoke.blogspot.com/2006/02/recipes.html
    What am I drinking now?   Woodford....neat
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  • apollo140140
    apollo140140 Posts: 74
    For a new egg, I've heard that you should try to avoid cooking over 400 or so for the first 3 or 4 cooks and that helps the gasket last longer.
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  • BOWHUNR
    BOWHUNR Posts: 1,487
    Another vote here for the Rutland/Ultra Copper combo.  I installed them on my last large and small before I even cooked on them.  They hold up through a 900* sear like a champ!

    image

    Mike
    Omaha, NE

    I'm ashamed what I did for a Klondike Bar!!

    Omaha, NE
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  • BBQMaven
    BBQMaven Posts: 1,041
    David1010

    Lid alignment is critical if you want to use an Egg with a gasket. Testing the lip surface where the dome and base touch by closing the lid on a dollar bill (pulling it out to see if any resistance) is the best way to ensure no "hot gas" leak that fries a gasket. 
    It should go without say, however - if if fails the dollar bill test you have to adjust the hinges ----- another whole thread.
    Kent Madison MS
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