New BGE built-in. Do I need a nest?

AZEggDude

Hi all, newbie here!  My backyard project is wrapping up and I'm anxiously awaiting my XL delivery today!  Here is the spot where it will live.  Do I need a nest for an air gap?  It's going on a slab of granite under a cinder block base.  Thanks in advance!

MO_Eggin

I would.

buzd504

I say yes.

AZEggDude

Do you guys say yes to protect the granite underneath?

SonVolt

I would still want the air gap only if to inspect the bottom for cracks. 

HeavyG

AZEggDude said:

Hi all, newbie here!  My backyard project is wrapping up and I'm anxiously awaiting my XL delivery today!  Here is the spot where it will live.  Do I need a nest for an air gap?  It's going on a slab of granite under a cinder block base.  Thanks in advance!

What does that door open into?
If it is storing anything that might be heat sensitive I'd get a nest. Otherwise I'd probably just set it on the granite, BUT, using a nest does also make it a bit easier/cleaner to scrape out the ashes into a pan.

unoriginalusername

You’d be surprised at the energy passed through. I used to put my egg on a concrete paver. The pacer cracked and the wood underneath was black ... I count myself luck and have used an air gap ever since. 

Without a gap I suspect the granite will crack 

Eggdicted_Dawgfan

Another vote for an air gap. Let’s see the rest of the area. What you have shown so far is beautiful. 

SonVolt

I'm sure your builder isn't an idiot, but just to be safe - I  wouldn't consider granite load bearing. I'd be leery to place a heavy 220lb hot anything directly on top of that granite unless the slab is fully supported underneath and not just on the edges. Hard to tell from the pic. 

smbishop

My large has a nest and my small uses the original feet, both on top of a granite slab similar to yours...

Cornholio

I’m just commenting on a job well done diving right in before even having your egg! Looks nice

johnmitchell

Welcome and great looking set up, I am in the yes to air gap camp. Super exciting times lay ahead,congratulations on the Egg.

Skiddymarker

Air gap is ideal, specially with an XL. That will hold fire for a day or two and that granite will be at the base temp within five or six hours. Air is your friend and it is free, once you buy the nest...

Matt86m

Ill be building in my xl and will use the nest. Been in/on a wood table and no heat signature on the wood beneath the egg. 

So my $.02 is yes.

DoubleEgger

That table is too nice for a $2 cinder block or paver. Do it right with a table nest. 

AZEggDude

Thanks all for the warm welcome, kind words and advice.  I called my dealer and he happened to have a nest in stock so air gap it is!  They got behind schedule today but I’ll have my Egg first thing tomorrow.  Very excited!  The backyard project is just about done and once in place, I’ll be sure to post some additional pics.  

The entire structure is cinderblock and the platform that the egg will sit on is made of block supported by rebar over the storage area.  I intend to use that drawer to store charcoal and wood chunks (in some sort of waterproof container). 

Matt86m

You can see the stand that came with mine. Ill be using it again.

speed51133

that's granite?? it is awfully thin.

what is supporting the weight under the shelf???

stlcharcoal

Don't use a cinder block......it's a heat conductor, not an insulator.  Use the table nest, flower pot feet, some floor tiles to elevate it, etc.  But you need it to have an air gap.  Otherwise you are paying to heat your table.

I would make sure it's well supported too.

Why didn't they finish your granite around the hole they cut??

AZEggDude

speed51133 said:

that's granite?? it is awfully thin.

what is supporting the weight under the shelf???

It's a 2cm slab.  That's standard.  Some may come in a 3cm but it 2cm is normal.  Rebar going across and cinder block underneath.  Here you can see the structure below.

AZEggDude

stlcharcoal said:

Don't use a cinder block......it's a heat conductor, not an insulator.  Use the table nest, flower pot feet, some floor tiles to elevate it, etc.  But you need it to have an air gap.  Otherwise you are paying to heat your table.

I would make sure it's well supported too.

Why didn't they finish your granite around the hole they cut??

The structure is made out of cinder block.  I ended up with a table nest though.

No need to polish the inside of the hole.  It's a pretty snug fit and you can't really see the inside of the lip because the Egg covers it up:

MJG

nice looking set up. 

HeavyG

AZEggDude said:

stlcharcoal said:

Don't use a cinder block......it's a heat conductor, not an insulator.  Use the table nest, flower pot feet, some floor tiles to elevate it, etc.  But you need it to have an air gap.  Otherwise you are paying to heat your table.

I would make sure it's well supported too.

Why didn't they finish your granite around the hole they cut??

The structure is made out of cinder block.  I ended up with a table nest though.

No need to polish the inside of the hole.  It's a pretty snug fit and you can't really see the inside of the lip because the Egg covers it up:

when you say "snug fit" - there really should be a gap all around the side of the Egg where it is surrounded by the tabletop. You don't want the Egg to be touching the edge of the cut hole.

AZEggDude

HeavyG said:

AZEggDude said:

stlcharcoal said:

Don't use a cinder block......it's a heat conductor, not an insulator.  Use the table nest, flower pot feet, some floor tiles to elevate it, etc.  But you need it to have an air gap.  Otherwise you are paying to heat your table.

I would make sure it's well supported too.

Why didn't they finish your granite around the hole they cut??

The structure is made out of cinder block.  I ended up with a table nest though.

No need to polish the inside of the hole.  It's a pretty snug fit and you can't really see the inside of the lip because the Egg covers it up:

when you say "snug fit" - there really should be a gap all around the side of the Egg where it is surrounded by the tabletop. You don't want the Egg to be touching the edge of the cut hole.

Snug might have not been the best descriptor.  There’s about a half inch between the egg and the granite.  Not enough that you can see the unpolished lip though.  My fabricator followed BGE’s built-in plans. 

alaskanassasin

Nice setup very clean

stlcharcoal

Sounds good, looks good!

Woadie

Nice looking set up. 

wardo

That's a really cool looking setup you got going there.  I'm with the crowd in saging you want to leave a gap for airflow under the egg.  How often will you have everything fired up and cooking on that cook bench?!