XL BGE - Dome and base rim don't 'mate-up'/line-up along entire circumference - Help.

DaGreekGeek

I have an XL egg and have had a problem with the gasket on the inside (i.e. the fire pit side) of the rim/lip of the base.  A section approximately 1/4 of the circumference is experiencing accelerated burnout compared to the rest of the gasket.  No other part of the gasket has this problem.

Before anyone says it, it does not appear to be a gap issue.  I did the dollar bill test early on and it passed with flying colors.  It's almost as if the gasket is not covered in the affected area when the dome is closed.  The gasket is also properly positioned on the rim (i.e. it’s not hanging into the fire pit).  When I replaced the gasket last year (for the same reasons) I made certain of this.  I know burnout is normal, especially with the old felt gaskets, but something seems wrong given the pattern.  This is especially true when I compared it to my friends large BGE.

I've had the egg 2 years, and my local dealer sells all their eggs pre-assembled so other than checking the bolts every so often I’ve not tinkered with it.  That said I took a closer look to see what might be going on.  One thing that sticks out like a sore thumb is that the rim of the base and the rim of the dome do not line-up for the full length of the circumference the way I'd expect them to.  While the rim and lip of the dome and base line up almost perfectly all around the majority of the circumference, there is a section at the back where the dome ‘juts’ out about 1/8” (at worst) from the base - much like an overhang.  It’s almost like there is a bulge in the lid.  This matches the area that’s burning out.  As with the burnout it is sort of gradated with the worst of the overhang and burnout being at the halfway point. 

This doesn’t appear to be an alignment issue as the rest of the grill is perfectly lined up (i.e. the top and bottom rims are flush with each other for the remainder of the grill’s circumference).  To put it another way, if I were to align it by pushing forward it would jut out in the front/side/etc and.  I don’t have an easy way to find out what’s going on with the lid closed given the limited access at the top of the grill, but I feel certain that on the inside this same run of the lip/rim is uncovered.

What I'm starting to think is that the ceramic (either the dome or base) was somehow damaged (bumped) before it was fired in the kiln and that a ‘bulge’ along the back side is causing the overhang on the outside.  On the inside it's causing the dome to not cover the base gasket for the area that’s bulging and thus I’m getting the accelerated burn-out. 

Does anyone else with an XL (or other sized) BGE see this?  Is it by any chance normal?  I can take pictures later and post, but it may be awhile.

 Thanks in advance!

sumoconnell

It looks like you have it mostly figured out, it's not an over or under bite, and the burn out matches the gap..I say that's good enough to talk to your dealer about, they are usually very helpful on these types of matter. BGE mothership has a good warranty policy.

freedog74

I have a large BGE and I have an under bite and the reason for that is the dome is not round and the local dealer is replacing my dome under warranty.  I am not saying that is your case as I have an large but that is what is causing my gasket to burn up quickly than it should.

OregonChuck

I have the same problem with my large BGE -- the top has an "underbite" on the front-- it seems set back by 1/8 to 1/4 inch -- see photos at https://www.dropbox.com/sh/vm5d63fvxm8g0xy/wMBuZhW1J6

Mattman3969

@OregonChuck - my large was doin the the same thing. I loosened my band and took a crescent wrench and put it on the flat part of the hinge and moved it forward till the dome lined up with the base. I had to keep the wrench on the hinge while I tightened the bands. That was over a yr ago with no problems since. Make sure that the back of your dome isn't dragging on the base while it is closing after adjustment