One Month Journey for My New BGE Chiminea

Hotch

It was almost a month ago when @LetsEat posted about a new floor model BGE Chiminea. Lets just say that @bgeaddikt was correct in how this was received. The nice people at the UPS Store, just across the street from the BGE dealer, did a great job on packing both  boxes. (It was a floor model so the BGE packaging was long gone) One had the base and everything else in the second one. The packaging was lots of peanuts, bubble wrap and had it completely surrounded with 2" Styrofoam. Box #1 came through Sherman TX and was in perfect shape. Box #2, the Ceramic Base, came through Ft Worth TX and it looked like it was thrown out of the plane as they flew over!! Opened #2 and saw this:



So time to call in the UPS Insurance. I called the UPS Store and she took over the claim. UPS came back and picked up the base for inspection and shipped it back to her at the UPS Store. She worked hard, trying to locate another, but with no success. So " The check was in the Mail". While all of that drama was going on I called the good folks at the Mother Ship and they went to work trying to locate a base. And while it took a week or so, they were successful on locating one. I picked it up this morning and now this journey is over and a new one has started.

A big thanks to the guys at Big Green Egg HQ for their help and also to the outstanding BGE Distributor that was able to locate one.



 

bgebrent

Good final outcome and great customer service.

bhedges1987

Nice setup there!

WeberWho

Good to hear the positive outcome. Hard to knock BGE when it comes to the warranty. 

badinfluence

Glad it all worked out in the end. Looks nice!

tarheelmatt

Man that looks cool!  Nice and clean too.  

EggObsessed

Yea!!  So glad your chiminea adventure has a happy ending.  It will be fun to have, I'm sure!

500

Would you mind reviewing to me how well (or not well) it works?  Thinking of expanding our outdoor space, by adding a patio, and a fire pit is in the plans.  Thinking about something portable, for when it's too hot for a fire, or when extra space is needed.  Please share your experience with it.  Thanks.

Hotch

Thanks everybody. It was a journey for sure.
Hats off to BGE and their great Distributor.
Now I have a few accessories to find.
1. The original 9.5" Mini cooking grid
2. The Spark arrestor Screen
3. A wood / lump Grate for the bottom, CI or S/S (BGE never made one for the Chiminea

stlcharcoal

Hotch said:

Thanks everybody. It was a journey for sure.
Hats off to BGE and their great Distributor.
Now I have a few accessories to find.
1. The original 9.5" Mini cooking grid
2. The Spark arrestor Screen
3. A wood / lump Grate for the bottom, CI or S/S (BGE never made one for the Chiminea

The grates are easy......just cut some #9 expanded stainless steel, or buy a High-Que firegrate.  They should be the same size.

From the pic, it looks like you have the spark arrestor screen???? 

Hotch

@stlcharcoal There is a screen spark arrestor that goes between the chimney and the base. So if you are burning splits it would keep the flying embers in the chiminea. As for the grill grid the old 9.5" fits perfect. The newer Mini 10" is kind of sloppy. If I can't find one I will have a 1/4" S/S rod grill grid with 3/8" spacing made to fit for both the upper grilling grate and the lower fire grate. Some style as my 18" HiQue on my large.
 I know a guy that can make them. In fact I am about to have 3 or 4 made for my MiniMAX and few friends.

stlcharcoal

Ah, I remember the piece you're talking about.  There used to be a guy that had a banner add on TNW's site--he made custom grates as well. 

northGAcock

Congrats....nice score and sure it was worth the wait. 

YEMTrey

Congrats.  Looking good!

Fred19Flintstone

Have you fired it up?

LetsEat

My heart sank and I felt sick to my stomach when I read the beginning of your post and saw the first picture. What an adventure. I purchased a BGE because I liked the product as well as its corporate reputation to superior customer service. Your experience is an extraordinary affirmation. Personally, I do have regrets in not bringing your Chiminea home and arranging a rendezvous for its safe exchange. That being said, it looks great it its new home in TX!  I'll be on the lookout for your assessory wishlist. Thanks for sharing the update @Hotch!

caliking

Dude ,colour me jealous ! I've wanted one of those for a long time. 

LetsEat

@caliking, I'll keep my eyes opened for you. I nearly tripped on the one @Hotch ultimately purchased.

Hotch

Fred19Flintstone said:

Have you fired it up?

Not yet. Maybe when the schedule settles down.

Hotch

Thanks guys. I hope to get the small stuff and then cook a couple of filets on a open fire.

Hotch

caliking said:

Dude ,colour me jealous ! I've wanted one of those for a long time. 

Me to, from the first time I saw one! If I locate any more I will let both you and @jeremiah know.

stlcharcoal

Did anyone buy the one here in St. Louis?  One of my dealers had one sitting on the show room floor as of about 3-weeks ago.

Eggcelsior

I'm mad jelly. My dealer had one the longest time collecting dust in a corner. She sold it a week prior to my wife saying she wanted one.  

caliking

@Hotch and @LetsEat - much appreciated!

texaswig

Very cool. Nice collector piece. 

bgeaddikt

i tried to warn, like i said before i have nothing against Postal service companies, but having worked at UPS before inside the Hubs and out, its almost impossible due to loader/unloader negligence. Those pictures and reading your recollection of retrieving it and persistence paid off!! @hotch

Hotch

bgeaddikt said:

i tried to warn, like i said before i have nothing against Postal service companies, but having worked at UPS before inside the Hubs and out, its almost impossible due to loader/unloader negligence. Those pictures and reading your recollection of retrieving it and persistence paid off!! @hotch

Yep all said, it was a little work but it paid off in the end.

RRP

Cool! Glad your story had a happy ending! I too have wanted one for years. I realize it is a niche market item, but surely BGE ought to at least consider making them and selling them special order. Probably could make enough profit to pay for the corporate Christmas party and bonus check! 

THEdexaTRON

What are these thing used for?  Sorry I'm a noob. 

Jeremiah

Glad it worked out Hotch. I'm sure it'll be especially fun come fall. 

Hotch

THEdexaTRON said:

What are these thing used for?  Sorry I'm a noob. 

First it is a drain on your time and wallet. It is a outdoor fire vessel. The cone is removable then put the 9.5" grill grate on to grill over open fire. And mostly use it as a movable outdoor fire place / vessel.