Cast Iron ConvEGGtor/Plate Setter

Beefcake83

I bought my XL BGE used and after 2 good 5 hour smoke sessions and half a dozen or so grilling sessions find myself needing to replace the ring and hinge set as it seized up and won’t open more than 5” or so... as I was taking out the convEGGtor I noticed the job weld didn’t hold and it was again cracked. 

Im ordering a new ring and hinge set from my supplier today but am very curious to find out if anyone has had success with the smoke ware cast iron plate setter to replace the ceramic? I’m all about replacing broken items with better, longer lasting pieces and it seems to me the cast iron would last significantly longer than the ceramic. 

Any input would be greatly appreciated!! Looking to purchase soon as grilling/smoking season is upon us! 

Thanks, 
Brad

Photo Egg

If your hinge and ring set is in good condition don't buy another.
There are a couple bolts in the XL hinge system that are prone to self tightening and when this happens the hinges will siege up. I will find and post a photo.
Check these bolts on both sides. they should easily pivot and should be oiled often.

Oil the other joints as well.


The Cast Iron plate setter is a good alternative but I would recommend looking into a Woo Ring or Adjustable Rig from Ceramicgrillstore.com.
With this system you only need a flat pizza stone or a pan for your indirect piece. Much more versatile.

https://ceramicgrillstore.com/collections/big-green-egg-xl-accessories-by-ceramic-grill-store



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Beefcake83

@Photo Egg

Thanks for the quick response! Unfortunately the guy that I purchased my egg from didn't use his cover properly and the hinges were severely rusted. I tried the method pictured above but unfortunately this set was just too far gone. I did see they redesigned the ring/hinge setup on the cereamicgrillstore.com and it looks like a better system, powder coated also to resist rusting. I'll be looking into the adjustable rig and woo ring to determine which setup will better suite my cooking methods. 

Thanks,
Brad! 
p.s. I'll be sure to respond and let you know which one I purchase! 

Photo Egg

Beefcake83 said:

@Photo Egg

Thanks for the quick response! Unfortunately the guy that I purchased my egg from didn't use his cover properly and the hinges were severely rusted. I tried the method pictured above but unfortunately this set was just too far gone. I did see they redesigned the ring/hinge setup on the cereamicgrillstore.com and it looks like a better system, powder coated also to resist rusting. I'll be looking into the adjustable rig and woo ring to determine which setup will better suite my cooking methods. 

Thanks,
Brad! 
p.s. I'll be sure to respond and let you know which one I purchase! 

I understand. I live in a toxic saltwater area and I'm on my 3 set of bands on my XL. Cover, no cover, spray with silicon or wd40 type stuff makes little difference down here.

Beefcake83

On the upside you’re now a professional at replacement band kit installations. Just sucks all the $$ you need to spend for the kits. 

DoubleEgger

Photo Egg said:

Beefcake83 said:

@Photo Egg

Thanks for the quick response! Unfortunately the guy that I purchased my egg from didn't use his cover properly and the hinges were severely rusted. I tried the method pictured above but unfortunately this set was just too far gone. I did see they redesigned the ring/hinge setup on the cereamicgrillstore.com and it looks like a better system, powder coated also to resist rusting. I'll be looking into the adjustable rig and woo ring to determine which setup will better suite my cooking methods. 

Thanks,
Brad! 
p.s. I'll be sure to respond and let you know which one I purchase! 

I understand. I live in a toxic saltwater area and I'm on my 3 set of bands on my XL. Cover, no cover, spray with silicon or wd40 type stuff makes little difference down here.

@Photo Egg Have you thought about sanding a set of bands and spraying it with some Rust Reformer before repainting with high temp paint? It prevents rust from forming or growing. I used it on the undercarriage of my Camaro. 

https://www.rustoleum.com/DigitalEncyclopedia/product-catalog/RustOleumUSA/consumer-brands/universal/consumer-brands/auto/paint-chemicals/rust-reformer-spray/

Photo Egg

DoubleEgger said:

Photo Egg said:

Beefcake83 said:

@Photo Egg

Thanks for the quick response! Unfortunately the guy that I purchased my egg from didn't use his cover properly and the hinges were severely rusted. I tried the method pictured above but unfortunately this set was just too far gone. I did see they redesigned the ring/hinge setup on the cereamicgrillstore.com and it looks like a better system, powder coated also to resist rusting. I'll be looking into the adjustable rig and woo ring to determine which setup will better suite my cooking methods. 

Thanks,
Brad! 
p.s. I'll be sure to respond and let you know which one I purchase! 

I understand. I live in a toxic saltwater area and I'm on my 3 set of bands on my XL. Cover, no cover, spray with silicon or wd40 type stuff makes little difference down here.

@Photo Egg Have you thought about sanding a set of bands and spraying it with some Rust Reformer before repainting with high temp paint? It prevents rust from forming or growing. I used it on the undercarriage of my Camaro. 

https://www.rustoleum.com/DigitalEncyclopedia/product-catalog/RustOleumUSA/consumer-brands/universal/consumer-brands/auto/paint-chemicals/rust-reformer-spray/

No, not with the product you listed.
I did sand down and prime a set with Rustoleum primer, then paint with high temp paint. Looked good for a few months then they started rusting again from stress cracks in the paint. Either from heat of expanding and contracting or from just being tightened back in place. I bet the above would work great on my Nests. My replacing bands has happened over 12 plus years. So it's not like it's every year. Everything in this gulf coast arm pit rusts.

Beefcake83

@Photo Egg

i ended yp buying the Woo Ring for the time being. We’re going  I use our pizza stone for indirect heat for smoking. My band assembly kit came in today as well so I’ll post some pictures on the forum one she’s together this evening! 

Brad

whldch

I replaced my ceramic platesetter with the cast iron one before I found this forum. It works well, it is heavy and needs to be properly maintained. I do like it, I've never used the top as a griddle, but with proper seasoning it should be an added plus.

Beefcake83

Got the seal on and band assembly kit installed... waiting the adviseable 24 hours to let the gasket seal cure and adhere to the ceramic and then it’s back to slow smoking! Now that I have a proper gasket on the egg I do believe it is time to attempt a pizza this weekend. I’ll post some pictures! 

Beefcake83

whldch said:

I replaced my ceramic platesetter with the cast iron one before I found this forum. It works well, it is heavy and needs to be properly maintained. I do like it, I've never used the top as a griddle, but with proper seasoning it should be an added plus.


@whldch
I'm going to give the Woo Ring it's fair shot and see if the pizza stone is a sufficient replacement for heat displacement compared to the plate setter and if the answer to that is yes... I'll not need to worry about replacing the plate setter for some time. If it doesn't work I will definitely go with the cast iron. From the reviews to purchasing something I can condition and not have to worry about cracking during future uses... I'll go that route all day long! 

-B

Photo Egg

Beefcake83 said:

whldch said:

I replaced my ceramic platesetter with the cast iron one before I found this forum. It works well, it is heavy and needs to be properly maintained. I do like it, I've never used the top as a griddle, but with proper seasoning it should be an added plus.


@whldch
I'm going to give the Woo Ring it's fair shot and see if the pizza stone is a sufficient replacement for heat displacement compared to the plate setter and if the answer to that is yes... I'll not need to worry about replacing the plate setter for some time. If it doesn't work I will definitely go with the cast iron. From the reviews to purchasing something I can condition and not have to worry about cracking during future uses... I'll go that route all day long! 

-B

The nice thing about the Woo, besides the ability to cook raised direct, is using different sized round stones to block more or less direct heat. Also gives you the half stone option. So many more choices when using the Woo.