Thoughts on Smokeware Stainless Cap

James MB

I think the big advantage of the smokeware cap is being able to leave it open when you aren't cooking, reducing mouldy fuzz.
That said last time I went to use my egg it had an inch of water in the bottom so perhaps I need to choose my problem!

YukonRon

It would take a tremendous amount of rain to extinguish the fire in a BGE using the DW for a cook, even if wide open.
The SW cap never made my food taste better, save me time, or make it easier, enough so to warrant its use exclusively.
I do not enjoy smoke rolling sideways where I cook, which is adjacent to my patio, therefore it is a temporary nuisance if you have guests.
I am one of those people who want the fire to be snuffed out soon after the cook, as I have an abnormal fear of fire hazards. It just did not snuff it out like either the DW or the ceramic cap. (Likely something I was doing wrong?)
It is a nice product, it looks good, and as others have mentioned previously, you set it and forget it. I liked it. Solid built.
I had one, and ended up giving it away.
Just "old school" I suppose. It was hard to remove after just a couple months of cooking too, if that makes a difference to anyone.

chuckytheegghead

I'm with @YukonRon on this one. Not the biggest fan of them. Doesn't really offer a significant difference. I have zero issues with the dfmt. To each their own. 

YEMTrey

I’m an accessory whore and I don’t own a Smokeware Stainless Cap.  Just never saw the added plus to it.  If I plan on cooking and it’s going to rain, I put the canopy up on the patio.  I have no complaints with the daisy wheel, I pretty much control temps with the bottom vent anyway.

Nothing against Smokeware, I’ve bought from them.  I just chose to buy the XL Black Thermometer so I can see it better with a drunken squinted eye. 

Simcan

Just my two cents...I have one and I only use it when it is raining or snowing more than a little bit.  I prefer the daisy wheel. Maybe because I have burned myself a couple of times with the smokeware cap when the cook is done and I have a few too many whiskies in me! Still worth having for weather issues alone and then you can figure out if you want to use it all the time.

stlcharcoal

Got to get back to the old forum days......long before smokeware, kick ash, flame boss!  Coffee can and some scrap metal did the trick.  Still have some of my creations.  Love all the new stuff though.

NPHuskerFL

bhedges1987 said:

pgprescott said:

Botch said:

Had mine for a year or so now, still haven't had to clean it.  It let me finish a cook in the rain, which is why I bought it.  I could live without it if necessary.  

Sure. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the stock daisy. It's bling. 

I may agree with you.  Black is more in style and "bling" than chrome nowadays. Chrome went out of style after the 1st fast and furious. 

Guess I'm odd man out on that trend. 304 SS isn't so much a fad as it is resilient. And what share of the market would be gained by adding titanium sputtered/titanium oxide (colors) in comparison to the cost of the machine, chemicals etc to make this product transition. Cool option? I guess. Profitable? Very doubtful. I guess I've been around commercial kitchens for so long that I prefer the look and more importantly the longevity. Wish the bands and other hardware were 304SS also. Cue @rrp to give a synopsis of why mild steel bands and hardware are better suited.

RRP

NPHuskerFL said:

. Cue @rrp to give a synopsis of why mild steel bands and hardware are better suited.

Blair ol' buddy.

I agree with what all you said up to this last sentence! I just hope no one asks me that question as I'm clueless and will have to make up something. You must mean someone else - not me. Now if you want to ask some questions about a Rutland then I'm your man! Ron

The_Stache

Late comment on this topic...

I have 2 SW Caps.  The one on my large has NEVER been cleaned in over 2 years without issues.  The one on my MM, however, doesn't "fit" quite the same using a "doughnut" spacer.  The spacer continues to get "loose" and makes for needing 2 hands to adjust the cap.  Also, on the MM, the build up inside that cap requires it to be cleaned (soap and water, scubby sponge) every 3 or 4 months.

I still LOVE the easy adjust-ability  of the caps and their "stay where I set it" functionality vs the daisy wheel.

Eventually, I hope to come up with a solution to the spacer (the suggestions of pushing it down further on the chimney simply does not fix the issue).  Still will continue to use the Caps...

RRP

The_Stache said:

Eventually, I hope to come up with a solution to the spacer (the suggestions of pushing it down further on the chimney simply does not fix the issue).  

gasket, my man, gasket

GregW

blasting said:

I've only heard one person who has one say they preferred the daisy wheel.  Everyone else who has one love them.  I have a couple, and would only give them up kicking and screaming.

They hold their setting, they allow for all weather cooking (admittedly, not a benny for myself), and I think they look kinda cool.

I'm very satisfied with the daisy wheel. I see no reason to replace it.
My situation is perhaps different than the people who use and recommend the Smokeware cap.
I cook under a roof and don't need the rain protection the Smokeware cap gives.

bhedges1987

People bringing up the fact they don't like the daisy because it moves.... Never thought about turning the cap so it doesn't move when you open the lid!?

RRP

bhedges1987 said:

People bringing up the fact they don't like the daisy because it moves.... Never thought about turning the cap so it doesn't move when you open the lid!?

Oh I agree, but ever since BGE started putting that blasted gasket on the throat then to set the daisy the way "we know" so it won't move you have to lift it up beyond that gasket, set the opening and then place it properly. I really think that is why the method is becoming a lost trick to newbies.

The_Stache

RRP said:

The_Stache said:

Eventually, I hope to come up with a solution to the spacer (the suggestions of pushing it down further on the chimney simply does not fix the issue).  

gasket, my man, gasket

Thanks Ron, I'll give that a try... just found an "old" gasket probably from a SW Cap... I'll give it a try!!

saluki2007

Do you like to spend money, then get one.  I don't own one because never saw the need for it, the daisy wheel does just fine.  I also don't own a KAB for my large, but do for my small because I saw a good use for it.

Focker

For me, it eliminated two stupid a$$ obsolete parts, the ceramic cap(one I shattered, 2 are in a drawer somewhere), and the dumb CI top.  There were a run of eggs, where the top would not fit right on the neck.  The SC took care of that, and protects my food.  I have gotten caught with my pants down, using an Al peel as a cap, getting soaked during a pizza bake.  Have had rubs get washed, creating bald spots, through the petals.  All 3 of my eggs don them.  Nice to have one on my portable small when camping.  Have been caught with my pants down there as well.  

So in summary, don't get bald spots, or caught with your pants down....where a Smokewhere Cap.

tarheelmatt

Personally,  I don't see the need for one . 

NPHuskerFL

@RRP "Blair" I'm not that purdy Ron. But, thanks. 
https://youtu.be/o5gLhFV59zo

RRP

Focker said:

  I have gotten caught with my pants down... Have been caught with my pants down there as well.  

or caught with your pants down....

Hmmm, maybe Fidel did get tired of seeing you with your pants down and thought you ought to have a spare pair!

Focker

RRP said:

Focker said:

  I have gotten caught with my pants down... Have been caught with my pants down there as well.  

or caught with your pants down....

Hmmm, maybe Fidel did get tired of seeing you with your pants down and thought you ought to have a spare pair!

A pleasant surprise souvenir he planted....Focker. 

SaintJohnsEgger

bhedges1987 said:

People bringing up the fact they don't like the daisy because it moves.... Never thought about turning the cap so it doesn't move when you open the lid!?

I've heard about that trick but I can't seem to master it. So I just use the SW instead of my daisy.

bhedges1987

blasting said:

bhedges1987 said:

blasting said:

bhedges1987 said:

I may agree with you.  Black is more in style and "bling" than chrome nowadays. Chrome went out of style after the 1st fast and furious. 

@bhedges1987

I agree with you on the black.  I've emailed Matt about this but never heard back.  The must be busy because I've emailed a few times about other things, but never hear back...

There is a machine I'm planning to purchase that turns stainless black - the technique is called "marking".  When I get this machine, the very first test will be on my smokeware cap. 

Never thought about it. There's a powder coating shop right up the street from my house. Would that work? Maybe I should try?

If you specify high temp it might, but doubtful with standard powders.  The high temp powders range from about 800 - 1200 degrees if memory serves.  I'd sure be interested in the results if you give it a try.

Checked with one place today and they advised against it. They gave me the name of another place to try. Will see what they say.

JohnnyTarheel

Had it on my large for 2 years... works perfectly with no issues. Never taken it off. Snuffs out great when finished. Besides looking cool why anyone wants to mess with multiple tops is just not appealing to me. When I finish cooking I close Top and bottom vent and forget....

bhedges1987

JohnnyTarheel said:

Had it on my large for 2 years... works perfectly with no issues. Never taken it off. Snuffs out great when finished. Besides looking cool why anyone wants to mess with multiple tops is just not appealing to me. When I finish cooking I close Top and bottom vent and forget....

I do the exact same when finished cooking. 

nolaegghead

NPHuskerFL said:

bhedges1987 said:

pgprescott said:

Botch said:

Had mine for a year or so now, still haven't had to clean it.  It let me finish a cook in the rain, which is why I bought it.  I could live without it if necessary.  

Sure. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the stock daisy. It's bling. 

I may agree with you.  Black is more in style and "bling" than chrome nowadays. Chrome went out of style after the 1st fast and furious. 

Guess I'm odd man out on that trend. 304 SS isn't so much a fad as it is resilient. And what share of the market would be gained by adding titanium sputtered/titanium oxide (colors) in comparison to the cost of the machine, chemicals etc to make this product transition. Cool option? I guess. Profitable? Very doubtful. I guess I've been around commercial kitchens for so long that I prefer the look and more importantly the longevity. Wish the bands and other hardware were 304SS also. Cue @rrp to give a synopsis of why mild steel bands and hardware are better suited.

@NPHuskerFL

I've heard the argument that SS alloys have a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than low carbon steels.  I've looked it up, it's true.  The bigger issue is the expansion is greater than the ceramic.  (which is true in both cases)

That said, plenty of manufacturers use SS alloy in their hardware. Costs more, but it works fine, lasts longer.  Has to be designed for it, the lip where the band sits on the egg is almost imperceptible on one side, so the dome can fall out of the band when it's loose or hot and loose.   This could be fixed through redesign and BGE could use SS band hardware that lasts much longer.  They'd have to decide if they charge more to offset the cost or eat the money....or just leave it be. 

Inevitably the bands corrode and they get to sell us new bands.  Just as profitable as another accessory.

nolaegghead

Insofar as the smokeware cap goes, I have two and I like them.  There is a design flaw of sorts insofar as the creosote and grease gunk up where they join and it becomes very difficult to rotate the vent.

Anyone who hasn't seen this just isn't cooking enough with that top at low and slow temps.

ckali7

Love it, GOAT

blasting

nolaegghead said:

There is a design flaw of sorts insofar as the creosote and grease gunk up where they join and it becomes very difficult to rotate the vent.

@nolaegghead

You may already be aware, but a soak in an electrolysis tank cleans up the smokeware nicely, with no effort.  Mine looks brand new after a dip.

Wolfie51sb

Bare with me while I get used to the forum 

No thank you.

Brandongodfrey

I used the smokeware for awhile then got sick of the smoke coming back at me . I went back to the daisy wheel but had a lot of mold problems so now I just use the smoke ware as a cap when I'm not using it to improve air circulation lol I may go back to it again but I really like the daisy