New Handle on BGE's???

Eggerty

I have been in the market for a 2nd EGG and dropped by my local B&M (Ace Hardware - Federal Heights, CO) to check out the MBGE and MM.

They did not have a MM on the floor but had some in the back unassembled.  There was a MBGE on the floor and I noticed that the handle was plastic.  Very surprising as I have not seen this on the forum as of yet.  The manager said that there are going to be changes on the handles as well as Mates.  Is this others have seen on the new Eggs coming to the market?  Have I just been living under a rock?  Personally I do not like the plastic handle from aesthetics but I guess it could be cleaned easier, handling contamination better.  That would be the only function I could think of...

Thoughts or insight???

Eggerty

doesn't look like my picture worked... patience...

RRP

Personally I won't get too hung up - the first thing that many here do to personalize their eggs is to get custom made handles.

johnkitchens

Try again! 

Eggerty

Eggcelsior

BGE changed the handles to composite for the 2014 model year if I recall correctly. There was major backlash so they decided to change back to wood. I think they even decided to offer the wooden replacement to anyone that wanted it gratis. Your dealer probably has old stock.

The composite mates have always been an "upgrade" to the wooden mates.

Eggerty

Wow finally...Little slow here, this one...

Chubbs

@Eggcelsior hit it on the head. They made the change and caught hell so changed back. I don't like the plastic either

Eggerty

I agree @RRP. I personally don't customize but this would make me want to look into that option.  I have seen some amazing handles on the forum.

shucker

that plastic handle is ugly. looks cheap.  I do have the plastic nest mates and I like those alot, but I dont see the need for a plastic handle.  Good move BGE for going back to wood. 

Eggerty

Weird. @Eggcelsior B&M made it sound like this was a new unit they had just received and that this was a change that had just happened. Maybe the B&M is just a year behind.

Good to know they migrated back.

johnkitchens

shucker said:

that plastic handle is ugly. looks cheap.  Good move BGE for going back to wood. 

I totally agree. I can't believe they thought that was an improvement! 

Eggerty

@shucker I agree! Looked really cheap. I hope and expect this is old stock...

Carolina Q

Weber changed years ago. I have one of each. Plastic sucks.

And I seriously doubt that either company did it because they thought it would be "an improvement". $$$$$

johnkitchens

Carolina Q said:

Weber changed years ago. I have one of each. Plastic sucks.

And I seriously doubt that either company did it because they thought it would be "an improvement". $$$$$

An improvement to their bottom line. 

Eggerty

So this was first initiated in 2014, then there was a backlash, and then BGE reverted back to wood moving forward.

This must be old stock but I am going to hit another B&M here to confirm.

The change seems small but I agree the dollar impact of wood to plastic on the bottom line was probably significant.

Dyal_SC

The plastic handle also gets hot as hades with high temp cooks. Glad they switched back too.

DaveRichardson

I bought my egg in early 2014 from Hiawassee Hardware in N. GA.  Wooden handle....  Glad it was wooden, that plastic is ugly as hell!

keepervodeflame

take what ever they give you and then get a custom handle to fit your egg. at amlwoodart.com 

Carolina Q

Dyal_SC said:

The plastic handle also gets hot as hades with high temp cooks. Glad they switched back too.

Try plastic on a weber sometime! Sittin' right at the top of the dome!!!

keepervodeflame said:

take what ever they give you and then get a custom handle to fit your egg. at amlwoodart.com 

Never been a fan of those. Too "perfect" for me. Machine made. I like em with a little rustic character. For me, Lawn Ranger's are the best. Danny's are nice too.

theoldguy

Eggcelsior said:

BGE changed the handles to composite for the 2014 model year if I recall correctly. There was major backlash so they decided to change back to wood. I think they even decided to offer the wooden replacement to anyone that wanted it gratis. Your dealer probably has old stock.

The composite mates have always been an "upgrade" to the wooden mates.

We bought our XL last April and were assured it came with the wooden handle. After the 2 hr drive home I opened the box to find the POS plastic handle and called the dealer. He tried for months so I'm told to get the wooden replacement and it never happened. Not the hill to die on. Will get a nice wooden custom made sometime. tog

Eggcelsior

@theoldguy, I'd call corporate myself in that case. Bruce typically comes through for eggheads.

JustGrillinFlorida

All new eggs are defiantly coming with wooden handles. Eggmates can be ordered in composite plastic or wooden. So your local dealer might have one or the other. But, we got eggs in last week and this week and they all are wooden handles . 

henapple

Lawn ranger...Mike.

LKNEgg

Is anyone making custom handles anymore?   I'd like to get a few for me and bge friends. 

SloppyJoe

They tried to do that composite crap on the side tables of nests also. 

noregard

I have the composite tables on my large and am not a fan at all.  They stain terribly.  I set the grill or anything that comes off the grill on them and they are stained grossly black from the grease and charcoal.  

Fred19Flintstone

I have the composite wings on my nest and I like 'em.  Hit 'em with Simple Green every once in a while and they look nice. 

shucker

Greased Lighting cleans my composite side tables with ease.  Makes em just like new in no time.