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Dome adjustment question

I have a small underbite and the dollar bill is loose in the very front and right side.  What do I need to do?  large egg, 4 years old. TIA
Born and raised in NOLA. Now live in East TN.

Comments

  • EggHead_Bubba
    EggHead_Bubba Posts: 566
    I swear, the whole dome adjustment deal is so frustrating. I did maintenance on my large BGE Saturday and removed the bands and hinge assembly for a good cleaning and lubrication. My BGE had about a 1/4" underbite and when I positioned the dome exactly right and tightened everything down the underbite came back but not quite as bad.

    I'm using a Rutland gasket on the base and no gasket on the dome and my dollar bill test shows some areas where it has very little resistance. I'm thinking the dome and base may not be exactly true all the way around and natural low or high spots are just part of the deal.

    Rocky Top, TN — Large BGE • Cast Iron Grate & Platesetter • Rockwood Lump

  • Hunter1881
    Hunter1881 Posts: 406
    I am in the same boat. I adjust and get it better. One cook later it is back in the same boat. Have not noticed any smoke leaking so to heck with it is what I said.
    Henderson TN. 1 large BGE, 1 Webber Gasser (recently seems to have converted into a warming oven)
  • 4Runner
    4Runner Posts: 2,948
    edited May 2015
    Totally agree. Cooking pizza tonight and hit 700 and once again my bottom band slid down pulling my dome back.  While hot, I squeezed the bands together pulling the lower back up (at the bolt) and then to ghtened the nut... so loose. I just don't get it.  The hinge needs reengineering.   Rediculous  

    Rant Off

    I wouldn't worry about it. Mine fails the the dollar bill test but I can hold 225.  All good.  The underbite thing, I get it.   You can fight it like me and drive yourself to drinking....drinking more, or you can ignore it and keep on cookin.  I really doesn't matter.  Still, BGE needs to fix this.    I hate the underbite.   
    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
  • EggHead_Bubba
    EggHead_Bubba Posts: 566
    @Hunter1881... I agree with you. I won't fight the underbite and as long as no smoke is leaking between the dome and base it's all good.

    Rocky Top, TN — Large BGE • Cast Iron Grate & Platesetter • Rockwood Lump

  • Class_of_75
    Class_of_75 Posts: 49
    Every time I make pizza I have to plan on spending 15 minutes the next day with my wrench set readjusting the bands and the dome. I suspect i'm burning lump faster than I used to, but I'm not seeing smoke leakage, so I don't feel any urgency to do something else. I agree that the dome and base may not be exactly true. 

    Littleton, Colorado

    LBGE

  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 25,880
    Rather than to answer every post on this thread here are some ideas that have at least worked for others who have applied a Rutland but still have some leakage. The very first thing is good news in one sense - that is leakage to a felt gasket means the escaping heat burns and soon destroys a felt gasket. OTOH even with leakage the Rutland will never be damaged by it. The BGE is incapable of producing 2,200 degrees at the gasket level to hurt a Rutland. 

    When the dome and base don't match up and there is extensive leakage all the way around then that's an indication that the planes of the two pieces are out and that can be addressed in my next post here.

    If the edges just don't meet in a few small areas then you can take a stiff putty knife and carefully work it under the Rutland and lift it just enough so you can spread an additional layer of Permatex Ultra Copper on the edge thus slightly building up the low area.

    If all else fails I have known of just 2 cases in 13 years where eggers have left their Rutland on their base, but resorted to putting a felt on their dome.
    Re-gasketing America one yard at a time.
  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 25,880
    edited May 2015
    Adjusting the planes whether they are out front to back or side to side - this solutions works!

    Repeating myself I say the planes are out of whack and here's what I suggest.

    First carefully remove both springs from the hinge. That is easier to do when they are relaxed in the open position.

    Next loosen all the nuts in the hinge and the two bent bolts in the band - so the bands are free to move easily. Now line up the edges to your satisfaction. Now here is a tricky part....maybe a child or wife can help you...place a 2 x 4 on the dome opening and exert strong constant pressure on it pressing the dome firmly against the base. I did this myself using two 4 foot long wood working clamps. Or another method is have your son sit on a board on the dome! While you re-tighten  first the band bolts and then all the hinge bolts. Replace springs. That should resolve your issue....however...

    Are you familiar with the popular dollar bill test? Close your dome on a dollar bill and see if it is relatively difficult to pull out. Do this all the way around your dome. If you find a space of little resistance it actually will be a sizable space and will either be at the front or the back. If loose in the front then open the dome and based on how big you think the gap is in terms of the thickness of a 25 cent piece then place 1, 2 or 3 quarters stacked on the edge of your base. Now close your dome and carefully loosen the top band bolt, press down to reset the positioning and tighten. Remove quarters and your plane should be ok. I have only known one person needing 3 quarters 2 is most common.


    Re-gasketing America one yard at a time.
  • 4Runner
    4Runner Posts: 2,948
    or don't worry about it and keep cooking. Again, my dollar bill test isn't good but don't have a problem holding 225.  My theory is the draft takes the air up out the top so the imperfect seal on the sides is irrelevant.  At least if it isn't too bad. 
    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
  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 25,880
    4Runner said:
    or don't worry about it and keep cooking. Again, my dollar bill test isn't good but don't have a problem holding 225.  My theory is the draft takes the air up out the top so the imperfect seal on the sides is irrelevant.  At least if it isn't too bad. 
    You make a very valid point. I was just trying to help some who think otherwise. Peace bro.
    Re-gasketing America one yard at a time.
  • 4Runner
    4Runner Posts: 2,948
    No worries. Wasn't trying to contradict you.  In fact, that is another QA concern for BGE.  The base and and dome really needs to be flush without a gasket to start.  That should pass the dollar bill test at the factory.  
    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
  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 25,880
    4Runner said:
    No worries. Wasn't trying to contradict you.  In fact, that is another QA concern for BGE.  The base and and dome really needs to be flush without a gasket to start.  That should pass the dollar bill test at the factory.  
    Sorry if you thought I was contradicting you! I fully agree that BGE should have some better QC at the plant before they are fired and then afterward as well. My large had enough wavy edges in both the dome and base that would make a sailor sea sick! 
    Re-gasketing America one yard at a time.
  • 4Runner
    4Runner Posts: 2,948
    QA, QC.....glad you understood.   I need my own typing QC.
    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
  • EggHead_Bubba
    EggHead_Bubba Posts: 566
    I believe either my dome or base, or both, are not true. I may consider installing a gasket on the dome if it continues to be a problem. I don't like burning lump well after the cook and everything had been shutdown.

    Rocky Top, TN — Large BGE • Cast Iron Grate & Platesetter • Rockwood Lump