How much should the bottom vent be open when not using the egg?

MikeCT

I’ve had my Egg for two months and have been fully closing the bottom and top vents when not in use but recently saw some mold inside after hurricane aftermath hit the north east last week (not sure if it was that). I ran it hot for an hour or two to kill the model and it’s clean again.  

My dealer told me to store it with the screen closed but fully showing, and someone else said to keep the screen closed but only have an inch showing.  What should I do with the vent to keep mildew out?

i live in CT and keep it covered all of the time with the BGE cover and it sits on my patio.

thanks!
Mike

lentsboy007

I always store my egg fully shut. Occasionally mold will form , but I just get it hot like normal and cook on . 

Photo Egg

Opened or closed, doesn’t matter. Always a better chance of mold growing the more residue you have in your egg from drippings and low and slows. But regular use will keep it clean.

MikeCT

And does the season matter?  We get hot and humid to freezing cold up here.

and thank you for the responses!

keener75

MikeCT said:

And does the season matter?  We get hot and humid to freezing cold up here.

and thank you for the responses!

I live in a similar climate to you and I always keep the vents completely shut when not in use. Never had a mold issue. I also don't cover it. Don't know if that has something to do with it or not. I'm sure regular use has something to do with it too. It gets fired up about 3-4 times a week, year round.

Gulfcoastguy

I keep them closed but I already don’t use a cover.

lkapigian

Closed here but very dry climate ...if it were wet,I'd probably leave open 

CigarCityEgger

I’ve had my egg for 3 years in FL, keep everything closed and haven’t had any issues.

MikeCT

keener75 said:

MikeCT said:

And does the season matter?  We get hot and humid to freezing cold up here.

and thank you for the responses!

I live in a similar climate to you and I always keep the vents completely shut when not in use. Never had a mold issue. I also don't cover it. Don't know if that has something to do with it or not. I'm sure regular use has something to do with it too. It gets fired up about 3-4 times a week, year round.

I end up using my about every other week, or at the most once a week.  I forgot to mention that.  It’s definitely not as frequent (unfortunately) as many do here.

Mattman3969

Let the fire burn for a bit after your done cooking. The should burn up any grease or food that could cause mold to grow. It’s really no big deal unless your in a hurry and open up a fuzzy egg.  Lol

Ozzie_Isaac

MikeCT said:

And does the season matter?  We get hot and humid to freezing cold up here.

and thank you for the responses!

In the winter, put some aluminum foil between the lid and base.  It will keep it from freezing shut.

shtgunal3

I leave mine about a 1/4 open

hoosier_egger

I leave mine open about 1/2 inch with the smokeware open too. That said, it's been a rainy summer here and I'm still battling mold. 

xfire_ATX

Ive had mine 7+ years and I had mold once and I keep mine fully closed.  My ration of L&S compared to 350-400 cooks is 5% so maybe I burn off most of the mold causing issues.

JohnEggGio

Fully closed in Maryland.  I always close immediately after cooking.  Never any mold.

Lowcountrygamecock

So for people that open the vents, how often are you cooking?  I used to keep mine in the shop but recently moved it to the patio and cover it when it cools off now. I’ve never left mine open and live in a very hot humid climate with zero problems. But I cook at least 1-2 times a week. 

MikeCT

I apologize for dragging this out but since I keep a cover on it all of the time shout I crack the top vent as well?   With that I’d just worry about the cover leaking and dripping into it or if it comes off in a storm.

Yno

Our typical humidity is 10 to 20 percent. When I shut down after a cook it stays shut until the next cook. But with the recent humid heat wave (60 to 70 percent) I might go check it. In the morning when it cools off out there.

Woadie

I keep both vents shut.  But, I typically get the temps up after a low and slow to burn off any residue and then cook at 350+ on my other cooks.   I live in GA so it’s always humid here.  I cook about twice a week on mine though.  

Lowcountrygamecock

Yno said:

Our typical humidity is 10 to 20 percent. When I shut down after a cook it stays shut until the next cook. But with the recent humid heat wave (60 to 70 percent) I might go check it. In the morning when it cools off out there.

94% humidity here this morning and it feels refreshing compared to how it's been the past month.  

Yno

Lowcountrygamecock said:

Yno said:

Our typical humidity is 10 to 20 percent. When I shut down after a cook it stays shut until the next cook. But with the recent humid heat wave (60 to 70 percent) I might go check it. In the morning when it cools off out there.

94% humidity here this morning and it feels refreshing compared to how it's been the past month.  

I was born and raised in the deep south, and until I moved to California after college, I was acclimated to the high humidity. Not so much now. 100+ degrees with 70% humidity really sucks!