first cooking on my xl BGE

rclaz

cooked chicken breasts for my first cook - set the BGE at 375 degrees. Installed the XL Plate Setter. Food cooked easily. 2 questions:
1- after i finished cooking, i closed completely the bottom air vent. I attempted to remove the upper vent - it pulled on the thermal tape, but i was able to remove it and replace it the the fixed upper vent cap. Does the upper vent removal require to wait until the BGE cools down a bit?
2 - After i closed the upper and lower vent, the BGE climbed to 425 degrees before it started to cool down(about 15 minutes). Is this normal?

Thanks

jimithing

Welcome to the BGE sickness.  You shouldn't have to wait for it to cool to pull off the cast iron cap.  Is the felt attached to the cast iron cap or is it on the egg?  I hate to tell you to spend more money after you just forked over all that cash for your XL but IMO you should at least have a look at the Smokeware chimney cap:

http://smokeware.com/collections/chimney-caps/products/stainless-steel-vented-chimney-cap

It seals well enough that you don't have to change to the ceramic cap to make the fire go out.  And it's stainless steel so you don't have to worry about it rusting like you do with the cast iron BGE cap.  I don't understand why BGE still sells eggs with those on there.

Regarding the temp jump - doesn't sound normal.  Fire needs fuel and oxygen.  If your temp spiked it hit more of one of those.  I would guess oxygen if you were messing with the caps.

littlerascal56

I never opened the box that the ceramic cap came in. I put a ring of self adhesive felt around the top of the egg, and seated the cast iron vent on it.  Removed the handle, as I didn't need it in the way.  Just close the daisy wheel on the top and the bottom vent, and the fire dies and temp drops.

logchief

Hey Welcome, you're hooked now.  The top daisy wheel is usually a tight fit as well as the ceramic cap.  No cool down is necessary.

If you had the egg open for a short while when taking the chicken off, the fire probably got a good boost of O2 and heated up so when you closed it down the coals had gotten hotter and shot the dome temp up at first.

Post some pics on your next cook.  Lots of good info here and great folks, sure has been a help for me in my first year.

dougcrann

They still sell the DW because, like the Egg, they are simple and they work. No need to let the Egg cool, if the ceramic were to expand from the heat it would crack. My Eggs all climb slightly when snuffing them out. The Eggs flow very little air so the wood will continue to burn even though you snuff it out. It has some oxygen it needs to get rid of. 
One thing you will no doubt notice...people raving aboutique various gadgets, the previously mentioned cap, Kick Ash baskets etc. Before buying any gizmos use the Egg for a while. You may find you don't "need/want" any of them. I have been cooking on our XL since 04 or so...without that cap or the KA basket....just saying....

rclaz

Thanks for the suggestions and comments. After using a Weber Smoker for 4 years, this is a great purchase. Can't wait to smoke some food - i like to smoke Pork Butt, Ribs, and Brisket - need to expand and try other dishes.

SmokingPiney

Congrats on your XL and first cook, @rclaz.  It's normal for the temp to come up a bit right after you shut it down. It's that shot of oxygen it got while it was open.

You're going to be bombarded here with people praising the virtues of all kinds of aftermarket goodies. I suggest you just use your Egg for a while before you decide which aftermarket gear will work for you.

Enjoy your EGG!

Fred19Flintstone

Don't worry about it.  You're doing fine.  Egg on brother!
edit:  Post pics or it didn't happen!

lousubcap

Welcome aboard and enjoy the journey.  And +1 with @SmokingPiney and waiting a bit before making after-market buys.
Here's a great web site for all things ceramic:  http://www.nakedwhiz.com/nwindex.htm  Chances are if you have any questions the answer will be in there somewhere.  And the recipe section has some excellent info.

Tinyfish

XL...great cooker

WeberWho

The top daisy wheel isn't needed for anything above 300 degrees. The temperature can be controlled with just the bottom vent. I find the top daisy wheel to be an extra step so I cook topless! The only time the daisy wheel gets used is for low and slow.