Can BGE ceramic be cut without cracking?

MattBTI

wild though popped into my head just now. BGE needs to make a pizza oven, odds are they aren't, so could a guy get a XXL dome and cut an opening in the front to allow access? Then set the dome onto a cooking surface?

This would be awesome! Maybe some kind of handheld wet saw could do this?

blasting

Go for it.  I'd read that thread.

That's an experiment beyond my means.  I have apart more than a few Weber kettles doing experiments.  Before hacking up an egg though, you could probably just buy a pizza oven.  Or you could just buy a BS PO - they get great reviews and several here on the forum utilize them.

MattBTI

Yup I've seen the blackstones. I think it's the "one off" factor that's appealing. I don't have the masonry experience or know how to even begin something like this, but I thought is would be a fun idea. Maybe one of you construction guys on here can weigh-in. 

NPHuskerFL

I wouldn't ever hack away at the egg. If you're so inclined, buy a Pizza Porta. The egg is not a WFO. Can you cook pizza and get good results on the egg? Yes. But it is no WFO. 

blasting

MattBTI said:

Yup I've seen the blackstones. I think it's the "one off" factor that's appealing. I don't have the masonry experience or know how to even begin something like this, but I thought is would be a fun idea. Maybe one of you construction guys on here can weigh-in. 

My mason skills are limited as well Matt.  I had designed a few versions of domed metal ovens that I was considering bringing to market.  The killer was, the way I wanted to make them, they would have had to sell for a couple grand.  That's tough sledding when you've got a $300 Blackstone oven that people are very pleased with.  I decided there are more fertile grounds.

MattBTI

I'd like to venture into the blackstones. I've also thought about finding some help and building a brick oven. This will have to wait for a more permanent residence though. My wife and I (3.5 weeks into married life) are in our first home I bought a year ago. I'll wait for the big house to put in my dream outdoor kitchen. 

WeberWho

MattBTI said:

I'd like to venture into the blackstones. I've also thought about finding some help and building a brick oven. This will have to wait for a more permanent residence though. My wife and I (3.5 weeks into married life) are in our first home I bought a year ago. I'll wait for the big house to put in my dream outdoor kitchen. 

Congrats!

stlcharcoal

I don't think it's an issue of "will it crack" when I cut it.......get the right blade and have a steady hand, you'll be fine.

The question is, "how long until it cracks AFTER you cut it?"  I think there's a lot of other ways to go about this, before hacking on a BGE.

MattBTI

Weber: thanks!

MattBTI

Stl: it's not anything I'm planning on. I just had an idea pop up. I do think it would be pretty neat if BGE ran 500 pizza ovens though some day. Some sort of dealer exclusive thing would be pretty damn neat. 

HeavyG

Auplex is a company in China that makes lots of ceramic kamados.

They make one model that has a steel door in the dome so that you can slide a pizza in/out without having to raise the dome.