Bit by the Egg! No Response for BGE!!

cep55 · September 2012

Well, Salty Hogs, you're onto me. I'm an idiot with no common sense who blames everyone else for my irresponsibility.

I'm a little disappointed that folks feel the need to be so condescending and mean-spirited; I think Nat and I both were simply sharing a valid safety issue we've run across, and expressing a little disappointment in BGE's non-response. I'm really not sure where the call for you to attack our characters and imply the Egg is beyond our intellect, but it's a shame and it's a detriment to this forum. Must provide some sort of self-validation for you, and I hope you feel better.

Cheers and out,

Christina

Salty Hogs BBQ · September 2012

BGE customer service is beyond reproach especially when they are being attacked because of nothing of their own doing, but the incompetence of the end user. A little common sense will go a long way in life. Your post about not filing suit and expecting a pat on the back because of it? Please. File suit and see how fast a lawyer would make you look like a complete imbecile. No lawyer would take the case anyway without a lot of money up front which in a winning civil suit wouldn't be needed. They would just take a % of the winnings which in this case would be a zero. You would be paying a ton in your attorney fees as well as BGE's attorney fees. BGE did nothing wrong and their vent assembly is made well.

SmoothSmoke · September 2012

My vent is hard to slide open as well. Is this the same vent as yours?

SmoothSmoke · September 2012

Let me add, it doesn't slide smoothly. But I can't see myself getting cut by it.

Tjcoley · September 2012

SmoothSmoke said:

My vent is hard to slide open as well. Is this the same vent as yours?

Cleaning out the ash in the bottom track should help with smoother operation.

SmoothSmoke · September 2012

Tjcoley said:

SmoothSmoke said:

My vent is hard to slide open as well. Is this the same vent as yours?

Cleaning out the ash in the bottom track should help with smoother operation.

No doubt, but even when it was brand new it was not smooth.

cep55 · September 2012

Yes, Smooth, that's like mine. Clearly it never occurred to me I might get cut on it, either, or I probably could have avoided it; but now you know so please use care with it! :)

I do think keeping the track clean will help, and maybe some sort of silicon lube. (My incident happened on the second cook, so it was still extremely clean by then!)

Just to reiterate, I love my egg; I just want everyone to be aware of this because although I'm sure many function smoothly as they should, some vents seem to be a bit more sticky and potentially dangerous than the average reasonable person might expect. Or maybe Nat and I are the only two people in the world who might be injured by this. In any case, I'd prefer everyone at least be aware of this, because I'd rather they avoid any potential injury.

SmoothSmoke · September 2012

Thanks for bringing this to light. I'll definitely be more careful. As ugly as my fingers are, I don't want to cut one off either.

Kristinnn · September 2012

mine is REALLY hard to open and close. I was put off by this as well when I first received it. I figured it would loosen up with use but it hasnt so I am disappointed but I have learned to live with it. sux though.

Daveh1976 · September 2012

In response to BGE not replying to your email: You mentioned law suit. No one in their right mind is going to respond to that email, whether you repsented you were not going to sue or not.

cep55 · September 2012

That's a good point, although they didn't respond to my email, either, and I didn't mention any such thing...

Hillbilly-Hightech · September 2012

SaltyHogs is someone's alter ego - somebody who doesn't have enough b*lls to post under their own username. So just ignore him / her.

As far as getting cut - I'm confused - how would this happen? Can someone post a pic or diagram or otherwise explain what part you can get cut on (not trying to be a smart-a**, honestly I'm not sure how it can happen unless you were to slide it all the way out & then run your finger across the edge).

Also, I agree that BGE should respond and not ignore their customers, if even to say "sorry, that sux"

Thanks,

HH.

Salty Hogs BBQ · September 2012

Hillbilly-Hightech said:

SaltyHogs is someone's alter ego - somebody who doesn't have enough b*lls to post under their own username. So just ignore him / her.

As far as getting cut - I'm confused - how would this happen? Can someone post a pic or diagram or otherwise explain what part you can get cut on (not trying to be a smart-a**, honestly I'm not sure how it can happen unless you were to slide it all the way out & then run your finger across the edge).

Thanks,
HH.

BillyBob are you still mad that several of us exposed you on the other forum for giving deliberate misinformation out which caused you to be outted?

So now you do it here.

Hillbilly-Hightech · September 2012

Salty Hogs BBQ said:
BillyBob are you still mad that several of us exposed you on the other forum for giving deliberate misinformation out which caused you to be outted?

So now you do it here.

ummm, have no idea what you are talking about - "outed" for what? - and didn't even know that place was still around. Also, you just proved you're an alter ego.

anyway, sorry you don't have enough b*lls to post under your better-known username. Talk about cowardly.

Salty Hogs BBQ · September 2012

You know exactly what I'm talking about. It was the funniest thing I ever saw. You getting exposed. You fell in the trap so easy too. Alter egos? You should know. You had numerous ones on the other site using proxy accounts. I'm sure you are doing it here.

Hillbilly-Hightech · September 2012

Salty Hogs BBQ said:

You know exactly what I'm talking about. It was the funniest thing I ever saw. You getting exposed. You fell in the trap so easy too. Alter egos? You should know. You had numerous ones on the other site using proxy accounts. I'm sure you are doing it here.

ummmm, ok... whatever you say (rolls eyes). Anyway, you take care now - be sure to shine your tinfoil hat.

buh-bye.

Salty Hogs BBQ · September 2012

Too easy.

LizzieSamps · September 2012

Sorry those that have been injured. Also sorry that some users seem to have a need for a pissing contest. Gentlemen, why the hate?

Baysidebob · September 2012

LizzieSamps said:

Sorry those that have been injured. Also sorry that some users seem to have a need for a pissing contest. Gentlemen, why the hate?

He can't help it. "Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you, rebuke a wise man and he will love you." Proverbs 9:8. True then, true now.

HDmstng · September 2012

Did your finger slip off and then get caught on the edge? Could you post a pic of the bottom right lip of your Egg? In Smooth's picture above, the left side track was rounded so there wasn't a sharp point. Is yours like that? Or is there a burr on the edge?

It sounds like what you find on some metal pieces on computer cases. I've built a lot of systems as a hobby and depending on the manufacturer of the computer case, there are a lot of sharp edges in the case where the frame that holds the components in place are stamped out or not machined well. That is especially true on the cheaper brand cases. Some will put plastic edging over the exposed edges, others don't. Some times I'll just go in and cover some of the offending areas with a piece of tape.

My vent slides with a bit of effort, but doesn't take a lot to open and close. As others have pointed out, widening the track with a small screw driver should help. I'll take a look at my tracks to see if there are any sharp edges though.

As for the non-response, your email was probably kicked up to the legal department. If they respond with as so much as a 'we're sorry' it could be construed as an admission of guilt on their part if a lawsuit occurred. That's just the nature of today's sue happy society.

Sometimes defective parts come through the manufacturing process and yours is an isolated case. If they are getting a lot of calls and issues with it, then they should be looking into it. Or it just could have been a freak accident as well. Hope you continue to heal well!

Hillbilly-Hightech · September 2012

HDmstng said:

Did your finger slip off and then get caught on the edge? Could you post a pic of the bottom right lip of your Egg? In Smooth's picture above, the left side track was rounded so there wasn't a sharp point. Is yours like that? Or is there a burr on the edge?

It sounds like what you find on some metal pieces on computer cases. I've built a lot of systems as a hobby and depending on the manufacturer of the computer case, there are a lot of sharp edges in the case where the frame that holds the components in place are stamped out or not machined well. That is especially true on the cheaper brand cases. Some will put plastic edging over the exposed edges, others don't. Some times I'll just go in and cover some of the offending areas with a piece of tape.

My vent slides with a bit of effort, but doesn't take a lot to open and close. As others have pointed out, widening the track with a small screw driver should help. I'll take a look at my tracks to see if there are any sharp edges though.

As for the non-response, your email was probably kicked up to the legal department. If they respond with as so much as a 'we're sorry' it could be construed as an admission of guilt on their part if a lawsuit occurred. That's just the nature of today's sue happy society.

Sometimes defective parts come through the manufacturing process and yours is an isolated case. If they are getting a lot of calls and issues with it, then they should be looking into it. Or it just could have been a freak accident as well. Hope you continue to heal well!

If the edges are indeed sharp / pointy on someone's vent, perhaps taking a Dremel to the edges w/ the grinding stone attachment would help round them off. I'll take note of my vent tomorrow when I'm doing my Labor Day cook and will see what the edges look like.

I also second the advice on widening the slot the vent slides in to help it slide easier.

HTH,

HH

Natgporter · September 2012

Natgporter said:

MDB, wouldn't you expect not to slice your finger open on a part that is designed to slide back and forth using said finger? The radiator cap on my car has a warning not to touch it because it is hot. Using your logic, all BGE should do is put a warning that one should be careful while sliding the vent open. Or, maybe they could design a vent that wouldn't slice a finger.

Thanks to everyone for their comments. The BGE is still the best cooking machine on earth. I will use the advice provided in response to the original post (cleaning out the track, filing it down a bit, spreading the track a bit, etc.). Hopefully world HQ will reply to my emails. They were GREAT when I had an issue with my seal. Like cep55, I did not mention litigation, nor would I litigate over something like this. Just trying to understand whether I am going to have to live with a rinky dink vent on my incredible cooking machine or if there is a higher quality vent assembly I can acquire. Here's to great grilling throughout the fall!

eggo · September 2012

I did like other posters and used a screwdriver to widen the track. Slides much better now. Another thing I did was tap on the corners with a screwdriver (bending over), preventing the cover from going too far and past the screen. This also eliminated two of the sharp areas.

Be careful when tapping as there is ceramic behind it.

Ya'll be careful, grilling is much more fun if you don't hurt yourself.

slider709 · September 2012

Salty Hogs BBQ = Ginormous Richard

Salty Hogs BBQ · September 2012

I know you are, but what am I? Tag. You're it. How original. That was funny in middle school.

Baysidebob · September 2012

eggo said:

I did like other posters and used a screwdriver to widen the track. Slides much better now. Another thing I did was tap on the corners with a screwdriver (bending over), preventing the cover from going too far and past the screen. This also eliminated two of the sharp areas.
Be careful when tapping as there is ceramic behind it.
Ya'll be careful, grilling is much more fun if you don't hurt yourself.

Mine has always worked fine. Who knows what little bumps may have been suffered in transit. Glad to see you got yours working with help on this thread in spite of the flotsam and jetsam.

BigGreenBamaGriller · September 2012

I'm glad I am not the only person who has had issues with the screen/vent. I have had my XL BGE since May and within 3 cooks, the vent slide became very hard to open/close. I also cut my finger while trying to adjust the vent (not as seriously as cep55, but something akin to a deep annoying papercut). Now, whenever I open/close/adjust the vent, I have to put on a pair of work gloves and muscle the dang thing to move. And no, there is no debris in the track. I hope that these messages are heard by BGE so that they will make alterations to the design. Otherwise, extremely thrilled with the product.

XLBalco · September 2012

so bge should put warning signs all over the egg now?

how bout one on the dome stating "ITALIANS TAKE NOTE - OPENING TOO FAST WHILE IN USE WILL RESULT IN A LOSS OF YOUR WOLF KNUCKLES!"

Yes I am italian! LOL

North_Is_Up · September 2012

Natgporter: All that I have to say is thank you for bringing this potential problem to my attention. I think that I came close to cutting myself a few times on my 4 month old XL. Going forward, I'll be more careful. What I learned here about cleaning out the track and using a screwdriver to widen it will help. Thanks, again, and thanks to all other constructive commentators.

Skiddymarker · September 2012

Mayberry said:

Take a flathead screwdriver and GENTLY bend out the track a little bit. Problem solved. My dealer told me to do that when assembling the Egg, and I've never had a problem. As for catching on the screen, that means that you have the door behind the screen and not in front of it. That's the only way it can catch. I made the same mistake to begin with. Put the solid sliding door on top and it will never catch again.

Mayberry - Good fix, but should the user have to do it? I think the issue is that when moved to the right, the left edge of the solid vent door, which is on top of the screen, goes past the right edge of the safety screen. The screen moves forward and any attempt to close the solid vent is impossible. You have to press in on the screen while sliding the vent door to the left. If it is a patented design it is darn poor one.

Sorry to hear about any who have hurt themselves, I think you have a right to expect that a part which the user is advised to move, should be as safe as possible. Maybe that's why I leave the lower vent alone and adjust with the daisy wheel, IMHO the BGE lower vent is one of the most poorly designed user controls I have ever seen, I put up with it, but it is a sticking, hard to use, frustrating device.

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Bit by the Egg! No Response for BGE!!

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