Old Big Green Egg Mini + New Hinge Kit = Doesn't Fit

BigBadEgg

I was given an older (5-7 years old) That had a beat-up hinge kit and handle, so I ordered the new hinge kit so that it would match my two Large Big Green Eggs.  I installed the new hinge kit and there's about a 1/4" gap between the band and the Egg even with the band tightened down all the way.  Has the size of the Mini changed over the years?  Is there an "adapter" out there that I need?

Jai-Bo

You sure you got one for the mini and not the small?  Or got one for the mini-max not the real minnie?  Check your order....

WeberWho

In years past I've heard of people sticking gaskets between the egg and band with the same issue you're having 

BigBadEgg

I checked my order and definitely got one for the Mini.  I also checked again with the person that gave it to me and the Egg is 10+ years old.  Has the Mini changed size?

Hotch

The 1st gen Mini had a 9 1/2" grid. The 2nd gen Mini has a 10" grid.
You may have a 1st gen Mini and a 2nd gen hinge kit.

If so call the Mother Ship and see if one is available from them or one of the distributors. 3 years ago I found a 9 1/2" grid for my Chiminea from:

Dizzy Pig BBQ Supply store in Manassas, VA

Carolina Q

BigBadEgg said:

Has the Mini changed size?

Yes. Not sure about the diameter of the egg itself, but the grid increased to 10" diameter from something smaller (9" maybe? Not sure.).

fishlessman

i am thinking its much more than 7 years when that changed.  when you call bge make sure you are talking to bruce, he is the only one left that knows the older parts and he will put in the effort to find an older hinge if there still is one on the back shelf

cookingdude555

I have the new band kit for the mini and my mini was one of the older ones with the arm on the side to hold it up, and a ceramic fire grate.  Seems like the dome is a little small there.  The grid size changed but the dome did not to my knowledge.  The same thing happened on the medium egg where the grid size increased but the outer ceramic parts stayed put.

Lit

The base changed for sure but your egg is way older than you sure but your egg is way older than you think probably like 12 or so years. I had the same issue years back I put a gasket around it then put the band and it worked. I have an old post probably 5 years ago when I bought the new style fire ring and had to take a belt sander to it to get it to fit.

Lit

I found the pics. Does yours have this thick fire ring?

Lit

If I remember correctly I didn’t do the gasket all the way around I just cut like 1 inch pieces and put it 4-5 places under the band and it worked great. 

BigBadEgg

My goodness, being new on the forum I can't believe how much help you all have been!  Thank you all so much!  I LOVE my Eggs, and the community that goes with it is just as good if not better!  You all have answered my questions.  I do have the ceramic fire grate, and my fire ring is the thicker one.  I went back to the original owner and she said, " Yeah I guess it's more like 15 years old" .... well, there ya go.  Thanks again all!

fishlessman

BigBadEgg said:

My goodness, being new on the forum I can't believe how much help you all have been!  Thank you all so much!  I LOVE my Eggs, and the community that goes with it is just as good if not better!  You all have answered my questions.  I do have the ceramic fire grate, and my fire ring is the thicker one.  I went back to the original owner and she said, " Yeah I guess it's more like 15 years old" .... well, there ya go.  Thanks again all!

i think you can add more years to the 15 if it still has a ceramic fire grate. you did not post a pic, but if its in the old stand, you need to get it out of that stand, it can crack the base around the circumference.  big design flaw with the old stands

BigBadEgg

Good to know!  I have it in a stand where it sits under the bottom.  Here's a pic...

fishlessman

thats in really good shape for an older egg, even the old carbon steel lower vent is in good shape. i dont think its been used much at all.  you will get higher searing temps if you upgrade the fire grate

BigBadEgg

The previous owner told me that she cooked on it ONCE.  It just sat under a table on her deck for YEARS!  I took it apart, cleaned it up and gave it some love.  Need to figure out what I am going to do about the hinge kit, but I'll figure it out.

Lit

BigBadEgg said:

The previous owner told me that she cooked on it ONCE.  It just sat under a table on her deck for YEARS!  I took it apart, cleaned it up and gave it some love.  Need to figure out what I am going to do about the hinge kit, but I'll figure it out.

I have a couple feet of the BGE peel and stick gasket left over from something. If you message me your address I’ll send it to you.