Question from Newbie

bogardner

I just bought my first Big Green Egg and I cooked with it last night for the first time and I am not sure if I have done something wrong. I grilled last night at around 600 degrees. When I was done, I closed lid and closed top and bottom air vents. Approximately 18 hours have passed and the temperature on the egg is still reading 245 degrees. I was under the impression that the coals would go out faster and be reusable? Am I doing something wrong? Is this normal? Thanks for your patience with an inexperienced new owner.

The Naked Whiz

Is the fire actually still burning or do you think the thermometer is lying? If still burning, then did you put the ceramic cap on top vs. just closing the dual function metal top vents? The ceramic cap does a better job of sealing the top. Also, is your lower vent closed all the way? Can you see any air gaps around the edge in the silicone caulking that they use to seal the lower vent? If so, you can buy some and put a dab or two to close up any gaps. (or you could take the lower vent off, clean off the silicone and use some new silicone to do a better job of sealing it up.)

mad max beyond eggdome

18 hours later and its still hot?? you have one of the following issues:

1. you didn't replace the daisy wheel with the rain cap to insure a tight air seal on top

2. you didn't close the bottom vent completely, letting air in

3. you have a gap around the dome letting air in between your gaskets....do the 'paper' test when its cool...i.e. stick a piece of paper between the gaskets and close the dome....if the paper slides easily you don't have tight seal between dome and base and you need to loosen and retighten the bands pressing down on the dome to get a tighter seal. .

4. check your dome temp thermometer in boiling water to make sure it is accurate....

5. any combination of the above....

with a tight seal and closed vents, you egg should cool off and the fire should be completely dead within an hour or so ....

Dnorman

Its got to be one of the previosly mentioned ittems. I see a lot of people just use the DFMT to close it up and it works fine, the LDT (ceramic top) works better. But you might need to recalibrate the thermometer.

bogardner

Thank you. I just took a look. I did not replace the top vent piece with the ceramic top but I just went out and made sure all vents were closed tight...they were but I think I may have found the problem: where the lid rests on the gasket about 180 degrees around the circumference has about a 1/8"-1/4" open gap so a lot of air is entering thru the lid. I just called the store who delivered and assembled it and they are going to come out and make an adjustment. Thanks again!!

Morro Bay Rich

"I just bought my first Big Green Egg .....". The sign of a TRUE Egger.

Morro Bay Rich

Once the dome gets seated, the fire will go out within an hour.

bogardner

We were all "virgins" at one time!