Welcome to the EGGhead Forum - a great place to visit and packed with tips and EGGspert advice! You can also join the conversation and get more information and amazing kamado recipes by following Big Green Egg to Experience our World of Flavor™ at:
Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Pinterest  |  Youtube  |  Vimeo
Share your photos by tagging us and using the hashtag #BigGreenEgg.

Want to see how the EGG is made? Click to Watch

This doesn’t look normal, or good!

Skrullb
Skrullb Posts: 666
in EggHead Forum
ive got my XL fired up to make pizza and noticed smoke coming from the bottom of the Egg. I got to look and noticed the gunk on the bottom and a small crack by the bottom vent. Thoughts? This thing is only 8 months old. 
I'm in Fredericksburg, VA, and I have an XL and a medium. 
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
«13

Comments

  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
    DoubleEgger said:
    Time to file a warranty claim 
    Yup.

    I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • alaskanassasin
    alaskanassasin Posts: 8,934
    Dang
    South of Columbus, Ohio.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bgebrent
    bgebrent Posts: 19,636
    Bummer.
    Sandy Springs & Dawsonville Ga
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JohnInCarolina
    JohnInCarolina Posts: 34,750
    Carolina Q said:
    DoubleEgger said:
    Time to file a warranty claim 
    Yup.
    Agreed.
    "I've made a note never to piss you two off." - Stike

    "The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand." - Deep Throat
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • The_Stache
    The_Stache Posts: 1,153
    Man I was waiting for some statistical measurement of # of Hot Temp Pizza cooks vs normal cooks it takes to crack an XL...

    Seems that this is a recurring event, no?
    Kirkland, TN
    2 LBGE, 1 MM


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • alaskanassasin
    alaskanassasin Posts: 8,934
    Mine popped with kickash and no grate. I run the grate now.....
    South of Columbus, Ohio.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Skrullb
    Skrullb Posts: 666
    The_Stache said:
    Man I was waiting for some statistical measurement of # of Hot Temp Pizza cooks vs normal cooks it takes to crack an XL...

    Seems that this is a recurring event, no?
    I don’t know. Is it normal? I didn’t have it screaming hot, just around 400. I know it’s much hotter down below. 
    I have the kick ash basket in, does that have anything to do with it?
    I'm in Fredericksburg, VA, and I have an XL and a medium. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Skrullb
    Skrullb Posts: 666
    alaskanassasin said:
    Mine popped with kickash and no grate. I run the grate now.....
    Do you think the basket causes it?
    I'm in Fredericksburg, VA, and I have an XL and a medium. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • GrillSgt
    GrillSgt Posts: 2,507
    I don’t think it’s the KAB but it could be going grateless. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lit
    Lit Posts: 9,053
    Ive had 4 crack all with stock grate in. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Skrullb
    Skrullb Posts: 666
    Lit said:
    Ive had 4 crack all with stock grate in. 
    Do you just get a new Egg altogether?
    I'm in Fredericksburg, VA, and I have an XL and a medium. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JRWhitee
    JRWhitee Posts: 5,678
    MIne cracked with the stock grate
                                                                
    _________________________________________________
    Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story!
    Large BGE 2006, Mini Max 2014, 36" Blackstone, Anova Sous Vide
    Green Man Group 
    Johns Creek, Georgia
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • onedbguru
    onedbguru Posts: 1,648
    my XL has the same crack, not filed a claim yet as it is not leaking or causing any problems at the moment.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JohnInCarolina
    JohnInCarolina Posts: 34,750
    Skrullb said:
    alaskanassasin said:
    Mine popped with kickash and no grate. I run the grate now.....
    Do you think the basket causes it?
    No.  What causes is it is the temperature gradient combined with the curvature of the ceramic part, giving rise to tensile stresses that exceed the strength of the ceramic itself.
    "I've made a note never to piss you two off." - Stike

    "The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand." - Deep Throat
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,109
    JohnInCarolina said:
    Skrullb said:
    alaskanassasin said:
    Mine popped with kickash and no grate. I run the grate now.....
    Do you think the basket causes it?
    No.  What causes is it is the temperature gradient combined with the curvature of the ceramic part, giving rise to tensile stresses that exceed the strength of the ceramic itself.
    That and a weak point (flaw) in the ceramic.
    ______________________________________________
    I love lamp..
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DMW
    DMW Posts: 13,836
    edited August 2018
    nolaegghead said:
    JohnInCarolina said:
    Skrullb said:
    alaskanassasin said:
    Mine popped with kickash and no grate. I run the grate now.....
    Do you think the basket causes it?
    No.  What causes is it is the temperature gradient combined with the curvature of the ceramic part, giving rise to tensile stresses that exceed the strength of the ceramic itself.
    That and a weak point (flaw) in the ceramic.
    Edit: misquoted
    They/Them
    Morgantown, PA

    XL BGE - S BGE - KJ Jr - HB Legacy - BS Pizza Oven - 30" Firepit - King Kooker Fryer -  PR72T - WSJ - BS 17" Griddle - XXL BGE  - BS SS36" Griddle - 2 Burner Gasser - Pellet Smoker
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Skrullb
    Skrullb Posts: 666
    onedbguru said:
    my XL has the same crack, not filed a claim yet as it is not leaking or causing any problems at the moment.
    I’m not really sure that the smoke was coming from that crack or not. I couldn’t tell where it was coming from but there was a lot of smoke coming from the bottom somewhere. Appeared to be around the vent. I’m not sure if I trust it to keep cooking..I don’t want it to crack in half while loaded with hot coals!
    I'm in Fredericksburg, VA, and I have an XL and a medium. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DMW
    DMW Posts: 13,836
    JohnInCarolina said:
    Skrullb said:
    alaskanassasin said:
    Mine popped with kickash and no grate. I run the grate now.....
    Do you think the basket causes it?
    No.  What causes is it is the temperature gradient combined with the curvature of the ceramic part, giving rise to tensile stresses that exceed the strength of the ceramic itself.
    Meh, what do you know. It's not like you are a scientist that studies material fracturing or something...
    They/Them
    Morgantown, PA

    XL BGE - S BGE - KJ Jr - HB Legacy - BS Pizza Oven - 30" Firepit - King Kooker Fryer -  PR72T - WSJ - BS 17" Griddle - XXL BGE  - BS SS36" Griddle - 2 Burner Gasser - Pellet Smoker
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Skrullb
    Skrullb Posts: 666
    nolaegghead said:
    JohnInCarolina said:
    Skrullb said:
    alaskanassasin said:
    Mine popped with kickash and no grate. I run the grate now.....
    Do you think the basket causes it?
    No.  What causes is it is the temperature gradient combined with the curvature of the ceramic part, giving rise to tensile stresses that exceed the strength of the ceramic itself.
    That and a weak point (flaw) in the ceramic.
    Do you guys think I should stop cooking on it? Even doing regular cooks?
    I'm in Fredericksburg, VA, and I have an XL and a medium. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JohnInCarolina
    JohnInCarolina Posts: 34,750
    nolaegghead said:
    JohnInCarolina said:
    Skrullb said:
    alaskanassasin said:
    Mine popped with kickash and no grate. I run the grate now.....
    Do you think the basket causes it?
    No.  What causes is it is the temperature gradient combined with the curvature of the ceramic part, giving rise to tensile stresses that exceed the strength of the ceramic itself.
    That and a weak point (flaw) in the ceramic.
    The flaw actually lowers the apparent tensile strength, so your comment is redundant.
    "I've made a note never to piss you two off." - Stike

    "The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand." - Deep Throat
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Photo Egg
    Photo Egg Posts: 12,137
    alaskanassasin said:
    Mine popped with kickash and no grate. I run the grate now.....
    I have cracked 2 XL bases running BGE standard lump grate. It's a crap shoot in combination with how much you use it, molding process, ceramic mix, packing, transport and handling?
    Thank you,
    Darian

    Galveston Texas
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Skrullb
    Skrullb Posts: 666
    And how did I get the build up on the bottom of what appears to be grease? That little hairline crack can’t be responsible for that. Has anyone seen that before?
    I'm in Fredericksburg, VA, and I have an XL and a medium. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SonVolt
    SonVolt Posts: 3,316
    edited August 2018
    maybe there's a crack between one of the nest legs where it touches the base and grease is seeping through?
    South of Nashville  -  BGE XL  -  Alfresco 42" ALXE  -  Alfresco Versa Burner  - Sunbeam Microwave 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DMW
    DMW Posts: 13,836
    Skrullb said:
    And how did I get the build up on the bottom of what appears to be grease? That little hairline crack can’t be responsible for that. Has anyone seen that before?
    Yep, it was the crack. Started small, grease seeped through and created the stain. I've had it happen several times.
    They/Them
    Morgantown, PA

    XL BGE - S BGE - KJ Jr - HB Legacy - BS Pizza Oven - 30" Firepit - King Kooker Fryer -  PR72T - WSJ - BS 17" Griddle - XXL BGE  - BS SS36" Griddle - 2 Burner Gasser - Pellet Smoker
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Skrullb
    Skrullb Posts: 666
    DMW said:
    Skrullb said:
    And how did I get the build up on the bottom of what appears to be grease? That little hairline crack can’t be responsible for that. Has anyone seen that before?
    Yep, it was the crack. Started small, grease seeped through and created the stain. I've had it happen several times.
    Ok. Should I stop cooking with it and get it replaced? I don’t want the thing to split on me while I’m cooking!
    I'm in Fredericksburg, VA, and I have an XL and a medium. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • alaskanassasin
    alaskanassasin Posts: 8,934
    Skrullb said:
    alaskanassasin said:
    Mine popped with kickash and no grate. I run the grate now.....
    Do you think the basket causes it?
    Without a doubt.  Brand new ash basket no grate, getting it up to temp for pizza, 600 and POP!   Never going without the grate again.
    South of Columbus, Ohio.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • alaskanassasin
    alaskanassasin Posts: 8,934
    I used it for low and slow while waiting for a new base but the day it popped I was wetting the rubber mat it sits on with a hose 
    South of Columbus, Ohio.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JohnInCarolina
    JohnInCarolina Posts: 34,750
    Skrullb said:
    DMW said:
    Skrullb said:
    And how did I get the build up on the bottom of what appears to be grease? That little hairline crack can’t be responsible for that. Has anyone seen that before?
    Yep, it was the crack. Started small, grease seeped through and created the stain. I've had it happen several times.
    Ok. Should I stop cooking with it and get it replaced? I don’t want the thing to split on me while I’m cooking!
    I think it is actually fine to keep cooking on for the time being.  Just monitor the progression of the flaw after every cook.  The nest will likely constrain the rig from total collapse.  

    In the meantime, file a warranty claim, like tomorrow.
    "I've made a note never to piss you two off." - Stike

    "The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand." - Deep Throat
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JohnInCarolina
    JohnInCarolina Posts: 34,750
    alaskanassasin said:
    Skrullb said:
    alaskanassasin said:
    Mine popped with kickash and no grate. I run the grate now.....
    Do you think the basket causes it?
    Without a doubt.  Brand new ash basket no grate, getting it up to temp for pizza, 600 and POP!   Never going without the grate again.
    As much as it pains me to say this, the KAB likely had nothing to do with this beyond facilitating the rapid temperature rise.
    "I've made a note never to piss you two off." - Stike

    "The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand." - Deep Throat
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories