New Egg Table Built - Question on Space Around BGE

djtech2k

So I built my first table and finally got it out in place.  I used the nest recommended on here.  I am concerned about the gap around my egg.  It’s not a perfect circle but in some areas it’s not a big space.  The wood is cedar and it is polyurethaned.  Is the space big enough for hot cooks and is there any kind of gasket or barrier I can use?  I really do not want to take this think out and then have to do more work on the table.  

djtech2k

Forgot to post the pictures.

StillH2OEgger

Might not be ideal, but putting a paver under the table nest might raise the BGE enough to give you a slightly bigger gap in the hole. It does look a little snug, but not sure if it's to the point of needing to worry about it. Either way, nice-looking table.

jtcBoynton

Yes a layer of fire bricks under the nest would make the gap a bit bigger and provide additional protection to the table under the egg.  Think you will find that the air gap is the best heat protection and putting anything in the gap will increase heat transfer.

djtech2k

I was hoping to not have to use a paver.  Any suggestions on one to use?  I don’t like the look and I don’t want it to be too too heavy.  I will consider it.  I thought that since the gasket for the lid holds upwards of 1000 degrees, I just thought maybe something could be used around the hole of the table.  I need to adjust the egg some but in some areas it’s almost 1/4 in gap and others it about 1/16th.  Again I can move it around but don’t want to have to worry about it while cooking.

nolaegghead

djtech2k said:

I was hoping to not have to use a paver.  Any suggestions on one to use?  I don’t like the look and I don’t want it to be too too heavy.  I will consider it.  I thought that since the gasket for the lid holds upwards of 1000 degrees, I just thought maybe something could be used around the hole of the table.  I need to adjust the egg some but in some areas it’s almost 1/4 in gap and others it about 1/16th.  Again I can move it around but don’t want to have to worry about it while cooking.

You can use a piece if wood that matches the table.  Pizza cooks will char the top if the gap isn't big enough.  I'll try to get a pic of mine

nolaegghead

Probably some metal gasket that's hollow....the Ruhlman will help too

djtech2k

What’s Ruhlman?  I was thinking of something like what’s on the lid.  Just a guess.

mpenacho

Cedar is a fairly soft, fairly light (in weight) wood.  I don't think you run a huge risk for starting a full blown fire, but with those tight tolerances, one edge of the egg will eventually butt up against the table and could leave a burn mark. IMO, I would just disassemble the egg and cut a larger hole.  Once it's done, it's done and you will feel better.  Otherwise, you may look at it every day and worry, or debate things you should have/shouldn't have done.  I have a 1/2" gap around mine and it doesn't look awkward.

djtech2k

I hear you for sure.  I worked on the table on and off for over a year in my garage.  Lots of sanding, staining, and polyurethane so I am so ready to have it out of the garage.  The thought of more cutting and then having to refinish makes me cringe lol.  It’s easy to shift the egg around to center it so I will look at it more closely to see what the gap is really like.  I do not do pizza cooks very often but I do grill at 500’ish pretty commonly.  

Buckwoody Egger

If you don’t like concrete maybe someone has a round cut of granite from a countertop (for egg table or a sink) you could throw under there.  Or a square scrap would be dressier than concrete. But easiest way to create space is raising the egg.  You can also raise the height of the lower shelf and have less cosmetic touch up compared to recutting the hole. 

jtcBoynton

djtech2k said:

I was hoping to not have to use a paver.  Any suggestions on one to use?  I don’t like the look and I don’t want it to be too too heavy.  I will consider it.  I thought that since the gasket for the lid holds upwards of 1000 degrees, I just thought maybe something could be used around the hole of the table.  I need to adjust the egg some but in some areas it’s almost 1/4 in gap and others it about 1/16th.  Again I can move it around but don’t want to have to worry about it while cooking.

Fire bricks are superior to using a paver.  

Mark_B_Good

I have the BGE Acacia Table ... I don't think I have more than a 1/2" gap between the egg and the table cut out.

RajunCajun

Might wanna invest in one of these, just sayin.  I take it you like that "formal" look with a tight fit, but the ceramic can get fairly warm on a higher temp cook.  Low/slow cooks, shouldn't be a problem.


https://www.amazon.com/First-Alert-1038789-Standard-Extinguisher/dp/B01LTICQYE/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=fire+extinguisher&qid=1600823642&sr=8-5

Ozzie_Isaac

Table looks very nice!  I second @nolaegghead 's advice. If looks are the primary concern, then use a sacrificial piece of wood to raise the egg slightly, there by increasing the gap.  Occasionally, check the wood under the egg for charring and replace as necessary.  Most folks will not notice the wood "paver".

JRWhitee

I recommend a paver. Here is what happened when my egg developed a hairline crack from one side underneath to the opposite side. Good thing I was around when the table started to smoke. 

djtech2k

If I could get a stone to put under the trivet, how tall does it need to be?  I am finding granite hard to find. Granite countertop is like 1 1/4” tall and granite tile is like 1/2” tall.  Either way I go it looks like it’s going to cost me round $100 to get 2 pieces.  I’d like one for a cutting board or area to sit hot stuff.

I have a low and slow cook for the next 3 days so I’d like to do something now but I’m running out of time. How far do you think I need to raise it to get more space around the edge?

I wish I knew how much space is there now.  In some areas I could fit my little finger in there and others I cannot so it’s obviously not perfectly centered but I can move it pretty easy.  I bought a new BGE gasket that I am considering putting around the edge of the wood.  I cannot see how that wouldn’t protect the wood but I’m not sure if it will fit and I don’t know if the adhesive will stick to the thin pieces of wood.  I may have to try it because I don’t have another option right now.

djtech2k

Since I haven’t been able to find any 18x18 granite, I went ahead and put on a BGE gasket around the table where the cutout is.  Idk how it will stick but I’m going to try it for now.  It went ok up until the last about 4” as you will see from these pics it’s not laying down like the rest because I couldn’t get it in there.  It was tight on room plus it was hard to maneuver the sticky side.  Anyway here is what it looks like.  What do you guys think?

djtech2k

One other thing you may notice in the pics is that my egg has an underbite.  The top sits back a little since I bought it.  It still seals pretty good but I do want to fix the underbite and replace the gasket.  I don’t have time right now and I am a little gun shy about taking it apart.

First thing is first though... need to make sure it will be safe cooking in my table.

nolaegghead

Looks like it might be an improvement.  Guess you'll find out.  I would keep an eye on it with pizza-like hot cooks.

Loosening the bands and adjusting the hinge seems a bit intimidating but it's actually pretty easy once you study where it goes and how it works.

Mark_B_Good

djtech2k said:

If I could get a stone to put under the trivet, how tall does it need to be?  I am finding granite hard to find. Granite countertop is like 1 1/4” tall and granite tile is like 1/2” tall.  Either way I go it looks like it’s going to cost me round $100 to get 2 pieces.  I’d like one for a cutting board or area to sit hot stuff.

I have a low and slow cook for the next 3 days so I’d like to do something now but I’m running out of time. How far do you think I need to raise it to get more space around the edge?

I wish I knew how much space is there now.  In some areas I could fit my little finger in there and others I cannot so it’s obviously not perfectly centered but I can move it pretty easy.  I bought a new BGE gasket that I am considering putting around the edge of the wood.  I cannot see how that wouldn’t protect the wood but I’m not sure if it will fit and I don’t know if the adhesive will stick to the thin pieces of wood.  I may have to try it because I don’t have another option right now.

If you want a solution that is less than $30 ... go to a landscape supplier/yard and get a single piece smooth finished flag stone, these are cut square/rectangle, and I have a single solid piece that is 2' x 3' on my pizza oven, so size is not going to be an issue. Note only will it look great, it will cost you next to nothing.

Mark_B_Good

djtech2k said:

Since I haven’t been able to find any 18x18 granite, I went ahead and put on a BGE gasket around the table where the cutout is.  Idk how it will stick but I’m going to try it for now.  It went ok up until the last about 4” as you will see from these pics it’s not laying down like the rest because I couldn’t get it in there.  It was tight on room plus it was hard to maneuver the sticky side.  Anyway here is what it looks like.  What do you guys think?

Air is a better insulator than a BGE gasket ... in my mind, if you can establish a gap ... it's better to have the gap.

The only thing the gasket helps with is ensuring the egg doesn't touch the sides of the wood by accident.

Anyhow, see how it goes ... that part of the egg doesn't really get super hot ... you can almost hold your hand there ... so it could work.

djtech2k

I will see if I can find flagstone.

I would prefer more air gap but I am just not eager to take the table apart or to make more cuts and refinish anything on it.  I spent a lot of time doing that over the last year in my garage and I am so happy to finally get it out of my garage.  My back was against the wall a bit because I had a big cook that I had to do today and tomorrow.  It’s low and slow so no high temps.

The gap around the egg varies.  Depending on the position of the egg, in some places I could fit the top of my little finger in there and others it was almost touching.  As a reference, when I put on the gasket, I was able to get it all the way around the egg by just moving the egg as I needed to.  Only the last 4-5 inches were tight enough that I couldn’t get it in there quite as well.  

I will continue to look for stone to raise it up a little and hopefully it will be enough of a gap for high cooks.

Any idea how much space is enough?

Mattman3969

If you’re really against putting a stone under I bet you could put rubber bumper feet on your stand.  It would raise the egg and have the benefit of a larger air gap under the egg.  

I’m thinking something like these 

HeavyG

If you wanted to enlarge the top hole to make the air  gap a little larger that would be a 10 minute job with a router and wouldn't mess up the surface finish of the wood. You would only need to brush a bit of sealer on the edges of the fresh cut wood.

As to how much gap is sufficient. I don't know what the "correct" amount would be but if I were using a wood table I'd want 1/2"-3/4" all around.

BGE publishes their own table plans and they call for a 21" diameter circle, however, that diameter is used when the vertical distance from the base to the table top is 15". Your vertical distant may be different but you can deduce what gap that provides for that height on the base.

Here's the BGE plans - http://www.biggreenegg.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/BGE-TP-LARGE.pdf

nolaegghead

I have 1/2 inch around mine and it is charred.  I think the problem is the radiant heat.  I got a friend to give me a reflective SS lining I was going to offset as a barrier but have not installed yet.  I don't do pizza on it anymore so no hurry.

HeavyG

nolaegghead said:

I have 1/2 inch around mine and it is charred.  I think the problem is the radiant heat.  I got a friend to give me a reflective SS lining I was going to offset as a barrier but have not installed yet.  I don't do pizza on it anymore so no hurry.

I saw a pix a few years ago (don't recall if I saw it here) of a wood table that had an inch or so wide aluminum flat stock bent into a ring that mounted inside the table top cutout. It was held off from the wood by what appeared to be a few washers wherever a mounting screw was. It left a 1/4" gap (+/-) between the metal ring and the wood and the Egg had about a 1/2" gap to the aluminum ring. So plenty of air to flow between the wood/aluminum and the radiant heat blocked by the ring. Seemed like a good idea.

Buckwoody Egger

At this point you are in a mental block. Get over the aversions and pick a solution. (1) to cut a bigger hole, (2) use a paver that is sitting at your local big box or (3) raise the lower level. I would pick 3. It doesn’t look like the hardware on the lower shelf is much at all and you can measure the angle of the egg to see how much height you need to get a good gap. 

We have all been there before— too much analysis. This hobby is fire and meat, breaking bread and drinking beer.  Screw up once in a while. 

Everyone loves the look of a well used wavy top butcher block but forgets that when they buy a new untouched one. 

nolaegghead

HeavyG said:

nolaegghead said:

I have 1/2 inch around mine and it is charred.  I think the problem is the radiant heat.  I got a friend to give me a reflective SS lining I was going to offset as a barrier but have not installed yet.  I don't do pizza on it anymore so no hurry.

I saw a pix a few years ago (don't recall if I saw it here) of a wood table that had an inch or so wide aluminum flat stock bent into a ring that mounted inside the table top cutout. It was held off from the wood by what appeared to be a few washers wherever a mounting screw was. It left a 1/4" gap (+/-) between the metal ring and the wood and the Egg had about a 1/2" gap to the aluminum ring. So plenty of air to flow between the wood/aluminum and the radiant heat blocked by the ring. Seemed like a good idea.

Yep, that is the plan.

djtech2k

I don’t have a router so I used a jigsaw.  To remove the egg, cut more of the top, sand, stain, and poly is the last option I am considering.  Raising the bottom shelf may not be terrible but I used pretty big lag screws so there are pretty big holes drilled into the 4x4 legs.  I’m afraid those will be exposed which may not look good but weather would stink on that too.

As of right now, my default plan is to use the gasket on low temp cooks for now.  When I grill I will watch it and measure temps to see how it does.  In the meantime, I will continue looking for a piece of stone to put under the trivet.  So far I have found limited granite options and haven’t asked for flagstone yet.  

If I had to estimate, in some areas I may have around 1/2”.  Some areas there is a little less.  My low and slow cooks went fine so at least I can do that until I get a stone or one of the other options.

jtcBoynton

Remember that not all stone products provide the same amount of protection from conducting heat.  The options you keep discussing are not the best.