Dome question

Nathanogle51

I'm leaking smoke around the gasket. My dome also has a bit of an underbite where the lid isn't quite flush with the bottom; This egg has about 60-70 cooks on it. 

Do I need new felt? Do I need to realign the dome? Is it a combination of both or is it no harm no foul and that is somewhat normal (I've heard a lot of people say the underbite isn't so awful, in general)? 

The last butt I cooked burned through my fuel much, much faster than normal, but it was cold and I cooked at a little bit higher temp. 

Thanks in advance!

Hungry Joe

I've seen worse smoke leakage. The felt looks pretty good to me .Try loosening your bands and aligning your dome.  The under bite shouldn't be a problem but the dome may need to be seated again.

Hungry Joe

Honestly, I'm not sure why you posted in the OT section for this.

Nathanogle51

Hungry Joe said:

Honestly, I'm not sure why you posted in the OT section for this.

Good point. I changed the thread title, but can't change the forum... Anyway, I appreciate your reply, that makes sense. 

I haven't really had any issues with temp control, I just wanted to make sure there wasn't something terribly wrong and affirm that it is closer to normal wear and tear. I did the dollar bill test and I still get a lot of resistance; the smoke leak worried me, though.

Hans61

Realign and do the dollar test 

Nathanogle51

Hans61 said:

Realign and do the dollar test 

Is it necessary? That's what I'm trying to determine. I still get a lot of resistance with a dollar bill. I don't want to mess with the alignment if it's not really a problem, but rather just normal wear and tear - I might make it worse if I start screwing with it! Haha

SoCalTim

My recommendation is to contact BGE and get the new redesigned dome band. If you have registered your egg - this is a warranty item.

Problem 100% fixed.

**Edit, just took another look @ your pictures, (2nd picture) the bands are not aligned correct - maybe they slipped I dunno, but they should be evenly parallel to each other.

I'd still warranty the band and get the new style. I did, no more problems. Tim

Nathanogle51

SoCalTim said: 

My recommendation is to contact BGE and get the new redesigned dome band. If you have registered your egg - this is a warranty item.

Problem 100% fixed.

Thanks for the reply! I'll definitely check into that and realign everything - will have to wait as I have a 5 lb. (wild hog - interested to see how it turns out) Butt and 3lb Chuck on right now.

mgoblue0484

I agree with @SoCalTim. I got the new band assembly as well. Easy set-up and didn't have to readjust after installation. It was perfect. No more issues. The old band design is horrible. Should have done it a long a long time ago.

SoCalTim

** Also, the bolts that connect the dome need to be tightened to the point where they are literally bent. The bolt(s) in your last picture are not tightened enough, that's why the band slipped.

Nathanogle51

SoCalTim said:

** Also, the bolts that connect the dome need to be tightened to the point where they are literally bent. The bolt(s) in your last picture are not tightened enough, that's why the band slipped.

Nice catch. It was assembled at my local Ace Hardware and delivered over a year ago. I never noticed bc I really had no clue... 

I'm definitely going to get the new band assembly before I make any adjustments; it'll still cook well until then.

Thanks to everyone for their input!

mgoblue0484

Just make sure that top bolt is tight. You don't want your dome to drop out band assembly. Until you get the new band, loosen the bottom band and re-align, getting it even all around. Get the bottom band close to the edge of the egg. Good Luck