How to determine age of a BGE

RodgerB

I have purchased a used in great shape older BGE and want to find a way to get close to its actual age. Any key things to look for?  Thank you all  in advance, lot of every awesome cooks on this forum!!

NPHuskerFL

Welcome aboard. Do you have a picture of your BGE? This would be of help. 

slovelad

If you want to know exact date, I suppose you could pull the id number inside the lid and call the headquarters 

RRP

slovelad said:

If you want to know exact date, I suppose you could pull the id number inside the lid and call the headquarters 

That ID is just a recent thing.

RRP

Like @NPHuskerFL said pictures would help, but if you can't post them tell us about the type of hinge it has and if the bottom vent is stainless or painted. Also does the fire ring curved slots on one side and none on the other? What size is your egg? 

RRP

hiccup

RRP

hiccup 

RodgerB

RodgerB

Hope this helps

RodgerB

Bottom vent is stainless 

RRP

That is an XL which already means it is relativily new! The dome will help date it as the original ones had a shorter, more squat dome. Hopefully someone else will come along shortly.

Photo Egg

You have a Extra Large Egg.
It is not a first Generation run but not current model.
First run did not have springs on the band but it is possible that was upgraded but I doubt because of the newer handle.
First run did not have the wider, 2 hand grip.
The newer firebox does not use the clips to hold the cast iron fire grate so your fire box is same as first gen. This box is also a little taller than the new model so if you order any custom stuff from places like Ceramic Grill Store you will need to let them know.
You also have the first run style dome that is shorter. The new style is taller and shaped more like the Large BGE.
I would guess the age of your XL as 5-8 years old.

Photo Egg

Your nest/stand looks brand new...

Little Steven

If I'm not mistaken it is an old style XL. Has to be at least 8 or 9 years cause they went with the higher dome in the XL at that point. What is the grid diameter?

Ladeback69

First, let me say welcome to the Eggdiction.  I don't know much about the older XL's other then what has already been said.  It looks to be in good shape.  Hope you got a good deal on it.  Looking forward to seeing some good cooks on it from you.

RodgerB

Photo Egg said:

Your nest/stand looks brand new...it is

RodgerB

Little Steven said:

If I'm not mistaken it is an old style XL. Has to be at least 8 or 9 years cause they went with the higher dome in the XL at that point. What is the grid diameter?

Little Steven said:

If I'm not mistaken it is an old style XL. Has to be at least 8 or 9 years cause they went with the higher dome in the XL at that point. What is the grid diameter?

Cooking grate is 24 inches

Little Steven

I have had two of those. The last one I got was in 06' but it was from 05' stock. It was supposed to be the "new" style with the shallower fire box and more egg shaped dome. They work fine but you pretty much have to cook on one level. Great for ribs.

fishlessman

i bet those flatter domes were better for pizza as well, radiant heat down closer to the pie

Little Steven

fishlessman said:

i bet those flatter domes were better for pizza as well, radiant heat down closer to the pie

Not really, the platesetter had like 2" legs so you couldn't get the stone up very high. The pizza stone was an inch thick as was the platesetter so you really had to get a roaring fire going to get them both hot. I was supposed to get the new style when I got the second one.

Photo Egg

This was from June 2006. Complete 1st Gen XL. My fist BGE cook.
Notice the smaller handle, no springs, short legs on platesetter and no notches for the platesetter cut into the fire ring. Also first gen hand made Woo Ring...lol
BGE introduced upgrades, for the most part, one at a time on the XL. 

Little Steven

You're right Darian, I got my first in '06 and the replacement in '08 or '09. My bad

Photo Egg

Little Steven said:

You're right Darian, I got my first in '06 and the replacement in '08 or '09. My bad

I also got mine replaced about the same time you did and later purchased the new style dome that I "had" to have.lol
I still have the old dome in my garage.
I was thinking of turning it into a big, overhead "dome" light over my Eggs, but it's so heavy it's almost dangerous.

Little Steven

Don't extend it from the house man you might tip it over

slovelad

RRP said:

slovelad said:

If you want to know exact date, I suppose you could pull the id number inside the lid and call the headquarters 

That ID is just a recent thing.

How did they do warranty claims before?

RodgerB

Thank you alll

i ran the heat up slowly to about 670. Then dropped it back to 500-510. All that over about 6 hours. Its now going out.    Tomorrow ill take the innards back out and scrub them with a ball of alluminum foil as directed by local dealer to remove residue from doing the clean burn

ive done turkey for years on Weber so this wont be terrily different.  I plan to use a drip pan over the platesetter. Wish me luck come Thursday!!

RRP

slovelad said:

RRP said:

slovelad said:

If you want to know exact date, I suppose you could pull the id number inside the lid and call the headquarters 

That ID is just a recent thing.

How did they do warranty claims before?

They were handled at the dealer level and depended on your relationship. Some dealers wanted to see a receipt and others didn't. The eggs used to come with a assembly/recipe book. In the front was a card to fill out registering you with the Mother Ship, but there was no ID. It basically was on an honor system and probably got abused.

swordsmn

I always thought you matched the dome pattern to @SGH 's. Azz cellulite. His age at the pattern match - 12.  Pics at flicker or so I hear

nolaegghead

You cut it through the base and count the rings.

RodgerB

nolaegghead said:

You cut it through the base and count the rings.

I may actually fit in here. 

swordsmn

Watch out for Fri PM banter about politics.  All world issues are debated with crass barbs.. Fun to watch