Second Plate Setter Crack

Ladeback69

Well, last week my fire box cracked while cleaning the the egg and today when setting up to start the egg and my replacement plate setter has a slight crack in it.  I think it is time to look at cast iron plate setter or AR with Woo2.  Any thoughts on which way to go?

DMW

Warranty. I'm on my second and it has been cracked for a few months. Need to get it replaced before it goes all the way across mid-cook...

SmokingPiney

You weren't doing the classic  "clean burn" were you?

I love the "damn the torpedoes, run it full nuke until it cracks" I hear here.

Just like "let me wreck my car..........it's insured and I'll get a replacement". 

Ladeback69

SmokingPiney said:

You weren't doing the classic  "clean burn" were you?

I love the "damn the torpedoes, run it full nuke until it cracks" I hear here.

Just like "let me wreck my car..........it's insured and I'll get a replacement". 

No clean burn, a pizza cook or 2 at 500 or 550.

bgebrent

That sucks brother,  my ceramics have no cracks and I question the utility of the CI plate setter.  I'll be interested to get your take.

Jeepster47

@bgebrent ... What do you question about the CI plate setter?  Except for the cost, I've always thought they'd be a good alternative.

bgebrent

Jeepster47 said:

@bgebrent ... What do you question about the CI plate setter?  Except for the cost, I've always thought they'd be a good alternative.

Brother Jeepster, cost is no issue.  CI might be a great call. My ceramics are intact. So CI becomes a luxury. 

nolaegghead

My first plate setter broke after a couple months.  I've been on the second one for three years....at least 2 with a big crack in it.  It's holding together just fine so far.  As soon as it breaks into two or more pieces, I'm getting the AR.

bgebrent

nolaegghead said:

My first plate setter broke after a couple months.  I've been on the second one for three years....at least 2 with a big crack in it.  It's holding together just fine so far.  As soon as it breaks into two or more pieces, I'm getting the AR.

Thank you.  CI will work, not necessary.  Cracks in your internals only enhance flavor 

nolaegghead

I have a large 3/8" steel that I put on my plate setter to give me a bigger "shadow".  I probably could just make a spider for it and keep going without the plate setter or AR.

dougcrann

I have a CI for our large. It does,what it is supposed to. Gets used frequently.  Getting rusty from the fire....

Jeepster47

I have both an AR equipped and a plate setter equipped large egg.  Each has it's use, but I really do favor the plate setter and PSWoo combo.  A simple and straight forward set-up ... no erector set assembly required. 

My OEM plate setter has had a hairline crack for about six months ...  no worries 'cuz I can get a warranty replacement from my dealer in a minute.  But, when the warranty finally expires and the plate setter breaks, I have a CI plate setter as a go-to replacement.  Probably should drag it out and take it for a test drive to see if it's an acceptable replacement. That's why the question of what could be different/inferior with CI.

One could probably cut a 1/4" plate to mimic the shadow of the plate setter and use it in the PSWoo ... yes/no?  Three strategically placed bolts would ensure that it wouldn't slip out, but could still be easily removed.  Might be close to the same weight.

DaveRichardson

that's a touch call.  The CI is interesting, but it seems like it'd be heavy as hell and I wouldn't want to lift out a hot CI PS for any reason no matter what gloves I was wearing!

The AR is interesting.  I've played with them at the local retailer, but I haven't had the need to pull the trigger yet; but knowing that its an option that available within an hour drive, its comforting!

Jupiter Jim

Jeepster47 said:

@bgebrent ... What do you question about the CI plate setter?  Except for the cost, I've always thought they'd be a good alternative.

Agree the cost is what is holding me back from getting a cast iron PS.

jtcBoynton

I am not a big fan of cast iron as an internal part of a grill.  Cost, weight, and rust.  I would go with a rig from CGS.

chadpsualum

DaveRichardson said:

that's a touch call.  The CI is interesting, but it seems like it'd be heavy as hell and I wouldn't want to lift out a hot CI PS for any reason no matter what gloves I was wearing!

The AR is interesting.  I've played with them at the local retailer, but I haven't had the need to pull the trigger yet; but knowing that its an option that available within an hour drive, its comforting!

I have a CI PS and it's not that heavy.  When I do reverse sears I frequently pull out the PS to do the high temp sear.  I just double up on my gloves and set the PS on some firebricks I have already set up for that purpose.

six_egg

@Ladeback69   I love my AR. I use it more than my PS. However if I had to start buying for indirect cooks now I would still get the AR. But I would lean towards the Turbo Stream for my heat deflector. That product seems pretty good at maintaining a constant heat with no hot spots.

Ladeback69

six_egg said:

@Ladeback69   I love my AR. I use it more than my PS. However if I had to start buying for indirect cooks now I would still get the AR. But I would lean towards the Turbo Stream for my heat deflector. That product seems pretty good at maintaining a constant heat with no hot spots.

Thank you @six_egg for telling me about the Turbo Stream, that seems like a cheaper option to the other two and I already have a homemade raised grid that I could still use.  I think I would go with the ring and the plates to start out with for only around $128 plus shipping.  The main issue I see though is going indirect with it, you can't put as much lump into for long cooks, but makes it so you can add easier the with a PS.

 http://www.turbostream.net/home.html

DieselkW

Cast iron will rust, no doubt.
However, rust on cast iron can be a barrier to further penetration. Moisture and oxygen have to get to the iron to oxidize it, and a thin layer of rust is actually protective.

Better is a thin layer of polymerized fat. Just slick on some Crisco or lard and let the burning lump do it for you.

I had to re-season my CI after the first year, but every time I do, it lasts a little longer. Cooking on my CI grill keeps it seasoned, so that was a one time job.

My CI platesetter, skillets, grill, dutch oven don't have any rust on them whatsoever.

The cooking properties of iron far outweigh the small amount of maintenance I have to do to keep them non-stick and protected.

Look at your steel grill after one season. You think it's not rusty because it's not red? Oxidization takes on many forms, and that steel didn't disappear due to fire, it "rusted" away.

Jeepster47

Finally remembered that The Naked Whiz did a review on the large CI plate setter.  It might answer some questions that folks have. 

@DaveRichardson the one point the review did not answer definitively was the actual weight of the CI plate setter ... it was too heavy for their scale so he estimated it at 12~13 pounds. The ceramic measured in at 9 lbs 10 oz.

Ladeback69

Jeepster47 said:

Finally remembered that The Naked Whiz did a review on the large CI plate setter.  It might answer some questions that folks have. 

@DaveRichardson the one point the review did not answer definitively was the actual weight of the CI plate setter ... it was too heavy for their scale so he estimated it at 12~13 pounds. The ceramic measured in at 9 lbs 10 oz.

I remember reading this now after reading it again.  I am kind of leaning towards the CI PS.  It's about $60 less than the AR/Woo2 combo I have been looking at, but having the Woo2 would be nice.  Tough decision.

Elijah

I have the CI. It was a good replacement for the platesetter I broke. No complaints. Comparing it and a AR/Woo2 is kind of like apples and oranges isn't it? There isn't much versatility besides indirect. I believe they sell it saying you can use it to sear and all, but I never have.

dougcrann

CI setter is a bit smaller in OD than the Ceramic, at least for the large. It does indeed rust, I recently cleaned it with the pressure washer, wire wheeled it clean...in one pizza cook looks like this. As to the weight...come on now folks...my arm scale doesn't detect much of a diffetence...probably within a pound or two of the ceramic...you really gonna **** about a pound or 2? 
The CI vs ceramic plate setter is no different than all the debate between the DW and Stainless cap. They both perform the intended purpose equally well. Sure, some folks are going to make outlandish claims that one works better than the other...this is simply justifying spending the $$. 
Had I known more about the Woo etc prior to buying the CI setter I wouldn't have purchased it. Why pay X amount of dollars for what amounts to a one trick pony when for slightly more you can have something that does 2 or more tricks?

Ladeback69

Elijah said:

I have the CI. It was a good replacement for the platesetter I broke. No complaints. Comparing it and a AR/Woo2 is kind of like apples and oranges isn't it? There isn't much versatility besides indirect. I believe they sell it saying you can use it to sear and all, but I never have.

@Elijah, I was basically comparing the to main options of the ceramic plate setter and just trying to get a idea what others had done. That's why the comparison. 

@dougcrann, as I say above I am trying to get idea of what people think on getting away from the ceramic plate setter so was not really trying to compare CI vs ceramic.  I do see your point about a one trick pony on the CI, and there are more things that can be added to the AR/Woo2 at a latter date.  I may have to wait till it breaks to push SWMBO in to letting me get something else.  For now it hasn't cracked yet.  Hopefully it will hold out tell my birthday in July.

YukonRon

seriously thinking about going all in on the AR for the XL

chuckytheegghead

YukonRon said:

seriously thinking about going all in on the AR for the XL

Same here

dougcrann

Ladeback69 said:

Elijah said:

I have the CI. It was a good replacement for the platesetter I broke. No complaints. Comparing it and a AR/Woo2 is kind of like apples and oranges isn't it? There isn't much versatility besides indirect. I believe they sell it saying you can use it to sear and all, but I never have.

@Elijah, I was basically comparing the to main options of the ceramic plate setter and just trying to get a idea what others had done. That's why the comparison. 

@dougcrann, as I say above I am trying to get idea of what people think on getting away from the ceramic plate setter so was not really trying to compare CI vs ceramic.  I do see your point about a one trick pony on the CI, and there are more things that can be added to the AR/Woo2 at a latter date.  I may have to wait till it breaks to push SWMBO in to letting me get something else.  For now it hasn't cracked yet.  Hopefully it will hold out tell my birthday in July.

Honey...I just dropped the plate setter....lol...

I am amazed that I haven't broke my ceramic XL plate setter yet. Have had it since 06 or so. When we moved from AZ to the Spokane area it was just laying loose in a box. Now it sits on a shelf under my table. My 4 dogs check it daily for any burnt on droppings, not uncommon for it to have 3 dogs with their front paws on it while they are linking it. Wash it with a sponge and water just prior to its use. 
Have been wanting to buy some of the Ceramic Grill Stores equipment, seems like every time I start to seriously research things something major breaks....

Ladeback69

Well it looks like I am going to get a replacement ceramic plate setter.  I tried regular fast setting JB Weld and it did not hold on one of my broken PS's.  I am going to try the high heat one and see if that works.  Also after looking at reviews of the CI plate setter I don't think I would want one.  Most people have said it is tight to begin with and when it heats up it spandex and has cracked their bases.  I would like the AR/Woo2 combo, but my current fire box is on older molder and is taller, so the current AR and Woo2 won't work with it.  If the JB Weld Heat heat works I should be good for a while.  I will do an update after I have tried it.

Carolina Q

@Ladeback69, I still have my original, nearly 7 year old platesetter. However, when it breaks, I plan to use my homemade raised grid arrangement and simply place a pizza stone on the lower grid for a legs up arrangement or on the upper grid for legs down.

All you need is a pizza stone a cheap Weber grid and some nuts and bolts.

Ladeback69

Carolina Q said:

@Ladeback69, I still have my original, nearly 7 year old platesetter. However, when it breaks, I plan to use my homemade raised grid arrangement and simply place a pizza stone on the lower grid for a legs up arrangement or on the upper grid for legs down.

All you need is a pizza stone a cheap Weber grid and some nuts and bolts.

Thanks for the idea.  I already have a raised grid, all need is another grate and a smaller pizza stone then the one I have for my XL.  Are you using regular bolts or SS?

MaskedMarvel

Sorry if I missed it - what's the warranty on the og ps?