What is wrong with my egg?

GMAC1

After 10 or 12 years of faithful service I’m having a lot of issues with my large egg closing. Has anyone had the hinge kit get worn out?  I am going to order a new kit but will it even fit an egg this old properly?  Have any dimensions changed?

Cornholio

They recommend replacing the hinges at 8-10 years so I’d just get the order going. I should take my own advice, had to mess with the bolts on my hinge recently to get it to shut. 

The new hinge/band assembly will fit your egg, mine is about the same age. 

Langner91

You will like the new hinge, mostly.  Although, the lid opens to a different angle and doesn't open as far.

cookingdude555

it will fit your older egg.  you can tinker with the old ones if you want, but if you have made up your mind on the new ones, you will be pleased.

GMAC1

cookingdude555 said:

it will fit your older egg.  you can tinker with the old ones if you want, but if you have made up your mind on the new ones, you will be pleased.

If I buy another cooking device I may have to come live with someone on here but I like the way you think!!

JethroBodeen

I like the old one for the opening size as stated above. Not much looks wrong with that one though. Looks like maybe the hinge bolts are too tight or a little vegetable oil on them....

Canugghead

Langner91 said:

You will like the new hinge, mostly.  Although, the lid opens to a different angle and doesn't open as far.

Most folks don't care but thought I'd mention that Carson Rodizio would not fit Large egg with new hinge because it doesn't open as far.

GMAC1

JethroBodeen said:

I like the old one for the opening size as stated above. Not much looks wrong with that one though. Looks like maybe the hinge bolts are too tight or a little vegetable oil on them....

I will try a little lube and tinker. I’ve tried tinkering with the bolts already. They are actually bent from years of spring tension so maybe just bolt replacement is a starting point. I haven’t done too much with it yet so I’m open to all ideas. 

Mattman3969

You should be able to adjust that without needing a new hinge.  The second pic shows that the lower band has shifted way down.  It should be pretty flush with the ceramic top of the base. Once you move it upward I bet it will cure 95% of your issue.  My bands are 14yrs old and only need a minor tweaking every once in awhile.  

Cornholio

You can hit up BGE headquarters and they’ll probably send you new hardware for free. They did that for me after I moved and that is when they (Duane) mentioned the 8-10 years for replacing. 

I’m still a holdout but will probably cave soon and get a new hinge assembly with the nest handler. 

loco_engr

Cornholio said:

You can hit up BGE headquarters and they’ll probably send you new hardware for free. They did that for me after I moved and that is when they (Duane) mentioned the 8-10 years for replacing. 

I’m still a holdout but will probably cave soon and get a new hinge assembly with the nest handler. 

I've looking for 1st Handler style (bolt on) and my local said he can't get one! 
 
The only one he could get was:
https://biggreenegg.com/product/integgrated-nest-handlers/
$240

Lit

I had to help a buddy with the same issue recently. Open the dome and take the 2 nuts off holding the springs so you can slide the springs off. I took the dome out first but you don't need to just dont let it slam. Loosened all the bolts and got everything lined back up and put the dome back in and tightened it. Made sure everything was still lined up and tightened everything else and opened the lid and put the springs back on. He said it has been fine since.

Vegas Eggus

Just ordered new bands for my 9 year old large. Original bands appear to be bent out of alignment. 

rifrench

I have twiddled and and tweaked my bands several times, and still end up frustrated with a slight leak at the rear.  Would someone please tell me which of the several bolts, if any, should be tight, and which should be left loose as a hinge?   I am not good at following the new non-verbal picture directions...

TIA, Rick

GMAC1

Lit said:

I had to help a buddy with the same issue recently. Open the dome and take the 2 nuts off holding the springs so you can slide the springs off. I took the dome out first but you don't need to just dont let it slam. Loosened all the bolts and got everything lined back up and put the dome back in and tightened it. Made sure everything was still lined up and tightened everything else and opened the lid and put the springs back on. He said it has been fine since.

Will try that and will replace the spring bolts at that time and see what happens. Thanks everyone for the advice. 

Vegas Eggus

Vegas Eggus said:

Just ordered new bands for my 9 year old large. Original bands appear to be bent out of alignment. 

They had them in stock so bought and installed today.  Huge improvement.  

kmac1036

rifrench said:

I have twiddled and and tweaked my bands several times, and still end up frustrated with a slight leak at the rear.  Would someone please tell me which of the several bolts, if any, should be tight, and which should be left loose as a hinge?   I am not good at following the new non-verbal picture directions...

TIA, Rick

Is the felt seal toast? If so replace and follow their YouTube how to. What I did for mine and it solved the gaps and leaks.

rifrench

The seal is not cooked, just flat and greasy from L&S pork cooks.  I have a Rutland kit from RRP, but need a new bottom to put it on.  Its cracked at the left of the vent, runs a little across the bottom, but never spreads enough to leak much, if any.  Cooks are limited to 400° dome.  I have never been a proponent of clean burns after the first one or two.  I am sure it is a hinge set thing, need to get one...  i never heard back from my dealer about the hinge set, time to call CGS I guess.

pgprescott

Yeah you can likely fix it by tightening / adjusting the bolts that the springs are attached to. I did this for a couple years and finally upgraded to the next gen model I had laying around from an egg I upgraded To the newest model for a customer. He couldn’t get it to align and wanted the new ones. I haven’t had any issues with the older model personally. The newest model is much easier to adjust. I’ve been lucky personally, but I’ve dealt with plenty of adjustment issues. Good luck. Be careful to not over tighten to the point the hinge gets bound.

rifrench

Thanks