Cracked base on XL

GaBGE

Yesterday while cleaning out my XL I discovered a crack. This is second cracked base that I have had in about 5-6 years. Is this normal?

JMCXL

Mine is 3 1/2 yrs old and replaced it once. I think it depends on your climate and types of cooks ( just my option )

Lit

They crack. Became More than I wanted to deal with so I looked at other options. Sucks though when it’s an XL it’s alot of work to take it apart and go get another base and then put everything’s back together.

WeberWho

Seems to be a little more common with the XL

DoubleEgger

I’ve had two replacement bases in 9 years on my XL. The larger eggs seem to be more prone to cracking.

GoooDawgs

Yup - 4 bases on my XL in the last 3 years. Only major pain for me is replacing the Rutland, but at this rate I might as well just stick with the factory gaskets as they last as long as my bases! But thankfully I can just swing by the BGE HQ and get a new base whenever I need, so I have to give them credit for customer service even though the constant cracking is annoying.

I'm hopeful the smokeware ash catcher thing will help this issue though. If I can get the hot embers from piling up and heating up the large surface area on the XL I assume that would help...

DoubleEgger

https://eggheadforum.com/discussion/comment/2429664#Comment_2429664

Ash is actually an insulator...

GoooDawgs

Ahh well then I don't know what to do. I do think some barrier that could provide an air-gap between the coals falling through and the base could help, but I'm no expert. I just know my buddies with the red kamados seem to not have their bases crack as much as the green - I thought the steel ash catcher was the reason but I guess it's something else.

fishlessman

leave an inch of ash in the bge bottom to protect the base, dont clean it out so often

DoubleEgger

https://eggheadforum.com/discussion/comment/2429664#Comment_2429664

That’s an usually high replacement number. Usually a crack comes from a manufacturing defect that creates a little air pocket or void. It can be very small. The other cause is excessive moisture inside the ceramics of the egg that expands as heated.

GoooDawgs

I cook on it 4+ times a week. Lots of low and slows and then really hot pizzas. I'm guessing the pizzas are the culprit, but they're so good I can't stop. I don't want to switch to a Roccbox, but I may have to eventually.

bgedrew

What does BGE require from you for a replacement? Proof of purchase from the dealer? Or do you have to register your egg or somehting? I've had an XL for two months. Sounds like I may be in for it.

GaBGE

I just stopped by my dealer today and emailed him a couple of pictures. That’s all I had to do last time also.

RalphieBoy

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My dealer just submitted my claim last Friday. Mine is a large Egg that the bottom is 8 years old. The dome is about two years old. Seems my original dome was not secure and I raised it but it keep raising. Dropping more like it. It was a very emotional time. Terry at BGE in Tucker helped lighten my blow. I have no plans leaving BGE.

GaBGE

Luckily I have a great dealer. I have had four total warranty claims now and it’s always been no questions asked once he sees the pictures.

pescadorzih

My XL is cracked also. This will be second bottom in 7yrs.

hoosier_egger

GoooDawgs said:

Yup - 4 bases on my XL in the last 3 years. Only major pain for me is replacing the Rutland, but at this rate I might as well just stick with the factory gaskets as they last as long as my bases! But thankfully I can just swing by the BGE HQ and get a new base whenever I need, so I have to give them credit for customer service even though the constant cracking is annoying.

I'm hopeful the smokeware ash catcher thing will help this issue though. If I can get the hot embers from piling up and heating up the large surface area on the XL I assume that would help...

Put the Rutland on the dome not the base

newEGGlandah

More airflow under the base (I.e the nest designed for it), looks like that’s sitting directly on pavers which doesn’t allow for proper heat dissipation.  Compounded if you have an expanded air grate of some sort allowing larger coals to slip and sit directly on the base.

ryantt

@Lit what did you go with?   

littlerascal56

I plasma cut plenty of openings under my custom XL nest, so there is good air circulation.  No problems for 4 years so far!

HeavyG

ryantt said:

@Lit what did you go with?   

He bought a Weber Summit Charcoal rig.

bgebrent

HeavyG said:

ryantt said:

@Lit what did you go with?   

He bought a Weber Summit Charcoal rig.

And never looked back. 

GaBGE

@newEGGlandah you can’t tell from the pic but it is in a table nest. I do use a kick ash basket but it sits on top of the original fire grate.

Lit

DoubleEgger said:

Yup - 4 bases on my XL in the last 3 years. Only major pain for me is replacing the Rutland, but at this rate I might as well just stick with the factory gaskets as they last as long as my bases! But thankfully I can just swing by the BGE HQ and get a new base whenever I need, so I have to give them credit for customer service even though the constant cracking is annoying.<\/p>

I&#039;m hopeful the smokeware ash catcher thing will help this issue though. If I can get the hot embers from piling up and heating up the large surface area on the XL I assume that would help...<\/p>"}}">https://eggheadforum.com/discussion/comment/2429664#Comment_2429664

That’s an usually high replacement number. Usually a crack comes from a manufacturing defect that creates a little air pocket or void. It can be very small. The other cause is excessive moisture inside the ceramics of the egg that expands as heated.

I was on 4 bases in the last 10 years or so. A xl, large, medium, and mini. They all crack but they make good planters.

Lit

abpgwolf

Lit said:

DoubleEgger said:

Yup - 4 bases on my XL in the last 3 years. Only major pain for me is replacing the Rutland, but at this rate I might as well just stick with the factory gaskets as they last as long as my bases! But thankfully I can just swing by the BGE HQ and get a new base whenever I need, so I have to give them credit for customer service even though the constant cracking is annoying.<\/p>

I&#039;m hopeful the smokeware ash catcher thing will help this issue though. If I can get the hot embers from piling up and heating up the large surface area on the XL I assume that would help...<\/p>"}}">https://eggheadforum.com/discussion/comment/2429664#Comment_2429664

That’s an usually high replacement number. Usually a crack comes from a manufacturing defect that creates a little air pocket or void. It can be very small. The other cause is excessive moisture inside the ceramics of the egg that expands as heated.

I was on 4 bases in the last 10 years or so. A xl, large, medium, and mini. They all crack but they make good planters.

On my 5th base in 7 years, I have never had any trouble getting them replaced, but replacing them is a hassle.