Broken Platesetter!

lewisj82

It's been mentioned on here a few times, but what's the best way to fix a broken off platesetter leg? One of mine broke off when I tapped it on the side of the egg. I store it inside the egg when I'm not using it, and it happened as I was taking it out to prepare some fillets and grilled artichokes. 

Photo Egg

Your break is in a bad spot. Chances of it holding will be slim. You can try a high heat epoxy.
I would cut off the other 2 legs and make a tri shaped pizza stone.
Pick up a XL Woo Ring or Adjustable Rig from Ceramic Grill Store.
You can still use your cut down stone with both these options.

http://ceramicgrillstore.com/big-green-egg/xl-accessories/

Both are better options than buying a new platesetter for your XL.

lewisj82

Thanks, @Photo Egg - I figured I'd have to replace it with something, just hoping not to have to right now. Had my eye on a woo for a while anyway, guess it's time to pull the trigger.

In the meantime, it'll hang on legs up, although wobbley. Luckily I have a good friend with an XL who will let me borrow his for a birthday party cook this weekend. 

EagleIII

JB Weld epoxy will work. I did the same thing to me Platesetter years ago and put the leg back on with JB Weld.  It's been humming along like that for the last 3 years.

gabriegger

+1 @EagleIII what he said.  JB Weld on mine a while back.  Still standng
http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1171329/drunken-turn-stumble-broken-leg#latest

Egghead_Daron

Might talk to your dealer. Sometimes they are willing to make accidents a warranty.

Jeepster47

Do a price/value comparison of:

1) BGE replacement ... assuming that you're out of warranty.  If within warranty, is there a smoke stain in part of the crack ... the picture seems to show one?  If there is a smoke stain, then it started to crack awhile ago and your tapping the leg simply finished off the inevitable.

2) CI plate setter ... expensive, but should last forever ... plus can use as a gridle

3) CGS set up ...

Also, seriously consider what @Photo Egg suggested.  Cut the legs off the broken plate setter and you have three "lifts" for raised direct.  Cut the tabs off the "hidden" center pizza stone or indirect stone for a Woo ... check the dimensions to be sure.  Cut the remaining pieces into small squares to lift the drip pan off the plate setter.

Here's what 20 minutes, an angle grinder with a masonry blade, and a broken large plate setter yielded ...



I'm keeping my eye open for an XL plate setter that has a broken leg like yours.

Photo Egg

gabriegger said:

+1 @EagleIII what he said.  JB Weld on mine a while back.  Still standng
http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1171329/drunken-turn-stumble-broken-leg#latest

So much of the success depends on where the break is.
Your break was not in a direct weight bearing area. You were very lucky in your location. The above break is all weight bearing and on a much larger and heavier XL platesetter.

For the price of JB Weld...would be worth a try? Sure, why not. There is always a chance. 
I have 2 broken XL stones that broke similar to above. JB Weld failed after one cook on both my stones. The stress on this area is high. 

Your break being only half of one leg is the best possible place for a break to happen. Very little direct stress and lower heat being that far from center mass. Glad you are still cooking on yours.

pinballLooking

I would drill both sides of the crack and insert maybe 4 small roll pins. Then JB weld the roll pins and the crack.

That way the pins are there for strength and the JB weld is just bounding it all together.

lewisj82

 Glad you are still cooking on yours.

Hadn't had a chance to try cooking on it just yet. This happened right before a direct cook and haven't gone indirect just yet. I set it up to see if it'll hang on and prop up my grid, it works, but I'm using a loaner for a cook this weekend... don't want anything to go wrong when I'm cooking for around 30 people. 

I think, upon the recommendations listed here, I might go ahead and cut the legs off and get a woo. Been wanting to do some wok'n anyway. Wife will be fine with it after I cook for her.