Lid seal - should I bother?

em4bartz

I have had my large BGE for about 25 years.  Needless to say it had a lot of gunk deposited on the inside.  So I finally did a 700-800 degree burn for a couple of hours, and the stuff all flaked off easily.  Perfect!  But the lid was stuck.  So I pried it open with some tools - no damage.  The seals look pretty bad - dried out, shrunk, uneven.  But it only leaks a very little bit of smoke when used, and the food comes out perfect.  Should I bother to go to all the trouble of replacing the seals, or does it not really matter?  Thank you.

Photo Egg

It will build back up with gunk and heal itself over time.
If you want to make it look pretty replace it.
...25 years and just now posting...lol
Welcome

RRP

PLEASE all you eggers who think all I do is promote myself thus making at least a gazillion DOLLARS every year! Just hold your collective breathes and bear with me since the "newbie" posting for the first time in 25 years asked for an opinion so at least I would like to offer my different view/answer. OK???

Some eggers swear by having NO gaskets which you call seals and that's fine for them! OTOH for others of us like to close our domes and quit having escaping smoke.

One last observation which was posted here - years ago which read something like this..."I bought a BGE smoker and it leaks smoke - but do I give a rat's *ss? NO!!! 

bgebrent

Ron is your guy, making nothing for his service if you want a new gasket.  I’ve been fortunate thus far to not have to install mine.  Dealers choice.

Matt86m

I did the same and toasted the gasket and developed an under bite. Bought a new gasket but haven't put it in yet. I'll be moving my egg onto an island soon and figure Ill do it then.

I have been cooking on it for months maybe a year like it is, leaking a little smoke but it still holds temp on the dot so its not affected the cooking.

GrateEggspectations

@RRP is the man! I have ordered four Rutlands from him in the last year (one was for a friend). Great product and service. 

Photo Egg

RRP said:

PLEASE all you eggers who think all I do is promote myself thus making at least a gazillion DOLLARS every year! Just hold your collective breathes and bear with me since the "newbie" posting for the first time in 25 years asked for an opinion so at least I would like to offer my different view/answer. OK???

Some eggers swear by having NO gaskets which you call seals and that's fine for them! OTOH for others of us like to close our domes and quit having escaping smoke.

One last observation which was posted here - years ago which read something like this..."I bought a BGE smoker and it leaks smoke - but do I give a rat's *ss? NO!!! 

"so at least I would like to offer my different view/answer. OK???"

Still waiting to hear your view.

I don't know why you get so worked up. 99% of the members here appreciate all your help. The couple that give you a hard time do it to everyone all the time. You should be happy with the odds, relax and let it go. Life is tooooo short.

fishlessman

no gaskets here in a very long time. my last egg i actually removed it on the first day.  if you feel you want or need a gasket, the rutland that rrp sells at cost is the way to go

booksw

Um is no one else amazed that after 25 years this is the first time @em4bartz has addressed this issue? I have been cooking on my egg for 8 years and have replaced the gasket (ie my husband has done it) several times. I prefer a gasket BUT I am never in a rush to replace because it’s sort of a pain (@RRP suggestions to make it easier?). Right now I am cooking salmon and asparagus with no gasket. I haven’t had one in maybe 2 months. We bought a replacement about a month ago but haven’t gotten around to installing it...

bgebrent

booksw said:

Um is no one else amazed that after 25 years this is the first time @em4bartz has addressed this issue? I have been cooking on my egg for 8 years and have replaced the gasket (ie my husband has done it) several times. I prefer a gasket BUT I am never in a rush to replace because it’s sort of a pain (@RRP suggestions to make it easier?). Right now I am cooking salmon and asparagus with no gasket. I haven’t had one in maybe 2 months. We bought a replacement about a month ago but haven’t gotten around to installing it...

See if you notice any significant difference after a couple more months.  Then give your hubby the good news.

dmourati

Just installed a new gasket today.

bgebrent

dmourati said:

Just installed a new gasket today.

Wooooooo!

Mickey

5 Eggs no gaskets. BUT IF I WANTED A GASKET I WOULD ONLY BUY FROM RON. 
Why don’t i use gaskets? I never cook under 300. I never worry about a little smoke leaking. For me the only thing gaskets provides is a cushion to close the ceramics. 

lousubcap

Welcome aboard and continue to enjoy the journey.  You may have true BGE ownership seniority here.  Feel free to pass along any pearls of wisdom (or otherwise) given all the accumulated cooks.
Nothing to add regarding gasket(s).

MCRyan

I posted a couple weeks ago about my XL sealing shut after I was a dumba** by not shutting down the egg after a cook.  Dang thing sealed shut.  After cutting through with a putty knife, it opened leaving the already fried gasket uneven when it was closed.  My problem then was, without removing the fried one, I had trouble shutting the egg down down.  Too much air getting in through the slight gaps.  I was in a pinch and ended up buying a standard gasket.  Next one will be from RRP. 

Could not believe it sealed shut that bad.  I tried a fire in the top and bottom.  Worked for a couple hours before prying it open.   Don’t even want to know how hot it got...