Adjusting a new band on an old egg - my solution

RRP

Recently I purchased a new style band from CGS. The box says the band fits eggs made in 2008 and newer. Well my egg was purchased in April, 2000 so I'm sure it was made in 1999 or earlier. The band comes with 4 blue plastic spacers which I found to be more of a hinderance than a help. Doing the time honored dollar bill test was a joke!

So what I did was to resort to a trick I had used after an earlier band replacement. I looked to a couple clamps and a 2x4 for help.


First I removed the 2 springs and then placed dollar bills at 2:00, 5:00, 7:00 and 10:00 and closed the dome. That was a trick in itself as the wind kept blowing them out - I mean the gap was that bad! Then I loosened the 2 band bolts so that the bands were free to move. Then on with the 2x4 and the clamps. I tightened the clamps as tight as I could and did a quick test of the 4 bills and already I knew I was on the road to success! I retightened the bolts and while 2, 5 and 7 were snug the 10:00 was still a little loose. I then repositioned the board and clamps, loosened the bolts again and was able to get the bill at 10:00 much tighter without disturbing the three other bills. All in all these adjustments only took me 30 minutes so that time was well worth it! HTH 

pgprescott

The new hinges work and adjust in a completely different manner from the old ones. You should easily be able to adjust them if you understand how they work. Far superior in adjustability. The spacers should work pretty well also. You should be able to basically shift the lid in any direction by simply loosening the nuts on the top portion of the band. Might have to unlearn or forget what you know about the old style hinges as it’s really no relatable. Definitely should not require any dramatic apparatuses to perform this task IMO. Glad you got them to where you’re happy but I sincerely hope others do not follow this roadmap.  😁🤷🏼‍♂️😁

Buckwoody Egger

Glad it worked for you!  When you posted recently about exploring this, it was a good reminder to do mine. Couple of thoughts. 

The spacers are used to set uniform spacing between the metal bands.  You may want to look around yours and see if any adjustments are needed. Or maybe the spacers only relate to the 2008 and later eggs. 

Last thing— make a note on your calendar to retighten the band screws in 90 days.  Only the ones on the band that we tightened for install, leave the bolts/nuts that move alone. 

RRP

@pgprescott
Pete, I had unlearned what I knew about the old style band and I’ve already got my new band at the furthermost ends of the slots. Think there might be a reason that BGE says this band was designed for eggs made in 2008 and later just might be a reason my 1999 (or older) band is having the gap issue I had? I just thought MY solution might help someone else…but I’ll go beat myself with that 2x4 for punishment anyway.

@Buckwoody Egger - when I get the chance I will go back out and using those 4 blue plastic spacers re-attempt band alignment. I believe after having used my “dramatic apparatus” as Pete called it then my dome and base will be closer than before and perhaps not keep falling out. 

Buckwoody Egger

https://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1203548/new-design-for-large-band

According to this link the change in 2008 may have been increased height to the smaller diameter area where the bands grab the ceramic. If so, the spacers could be problematic. Depends on gasket thickness too. Maybe you would need similar concept spacer / shims but thinner.  

As much as you have done for BGE, @RRP many would say you have earned unlimited free house calls from a nearby dealer. 

pgprescott

RRP said:

@pgprescott
Pete, I had unlearned what I knew about the old style band and I’ve already got my new band at the furthermost ends of the slots. Think there might be a reason that BGE says this band was designed for eggs made in 2008 and later just might be a reason my 1999 (or older) band is having the gap issue I had? I just thought MY solution might help someone else…but I’ll go beat myself with that 2x4 for punishment anyway.

@Buckwoody Egger - when I get the chance I will go back out and using those 4 blue plastic spacers re-attempt band alignment. I believe after having used my “dramatic apparatus” as Pete called it then my dome and base will be closer than before and perhaps not keep falling out. 

Ron, it sounds like you have an unusual situation with a +20yo egg and an aftermarket gasket. Certainly possible/likely that would change the circumstances. I just didn't want to give people the impression that is normal. It’s not. For most people with newer versions, it’s a breeze. No diss of you clamp intended. I just know for many people getting out a screw driver and wrench is about the maximum effort they will exert. For some, even that’s not happening. You obviously have far more ingenuity than the regular person. 😁

RRP

pgprescott said:

RRP said:

@pgprescott
Pete, I had unlearned what I knew about the old style band and I’ve already got my new band at the furthermost ends of the slots. Think there might be a reason that BGE says this band was designed for eggs made in 2008 and later just might be a reason my 1999 (or older) band is having the gap issue I had? I just thought MY solution might help someone else…but I’ll go beat myself with that 2x4 for punishment anyway.

@Buckwoody Egger - when I get the chance I will go back out and using those 4 blue plastic spacers re-attempt band alignment. I believe after having used my “dramatic apparatus” as Pete called it then my dome and base will be closer than before and perhaps not keep falling out. 

Ron, it sounds like you have an unusual situation with a +20yo egg and an aftermarket gasket. Certainly possible/likely that would change the circumstances. I just didn't want to give people the impression that is normal. It’s not. For most people with newer versions, it’s a breeze. No diss of you clamp intended. I just know for many people getting out a screw driver and wrench is about the maximum effort they will exert. For some, even that’s not happening. You obviously have far more ingenuity than the regular person. 😁

Thanks, PAL! Trust me I will be trying to go back to adjust my bands once again...just in case I can achieve YET better tightness with my bands!

No offense meant EVER, Pete!!

fishlessman

RRP said:

@pgprescott
Pete, I had unlearned what I knew about the old style band and I’ve already got my new band at the furthermost ends of the slots. Think there might be a reason that BGE says this band was designed for eggs made in 2008 and later just might be a reason my 1999 (or older) band is having the gap issue I had? I just thought MY solution might help someone else…but I’ll go beat myself with that 2x4 for punishment anyway.

@Buckwoody Egger - when I get the chance I will go back out and using those 4 blue plastic spacers re-attempt band alignment. I believe after having used my “dramatic apparatus” as Pete called it then my dome and base will be closer than before and perhaps not keep falling out. 

my 2001 is way off with the new band, my next attempt will be stacking rutlands. i have the top band as far up and the bottom as far down as they will go and theres better than a quarter inch gap.  the ceramic flat spot for the band is not tall enough, buckeywood egger mentioned this and i believe thats my problem.  the only fix i see for mine is stacking rutland gaskets to compensate for that space

Buckwoody Egger

Here’s a pic of my egg and the spacer for comparison purposes. With a hard matted (older) gasket the spacer lifts the egg a touch.  The spacer is 1/2 inch. 

Without too much adjustment effort on the install it passes the dollar bill test on the front and back but fails on the sides. If I push down on (compress) the top of the egg, it passes all the way around. Which is likely what RRP was going for with the squishomatic 2x4inator. I am ok with as-is and can monitor lump consumption after shut down and smoke for a low if so inclined. 

My egg is from the 2008 eggtoberfest so my guess is it would be the 2008 and later version but need a comparison to know. 

RRP

No I was not trying to mash my gasket - my purpose was to get the dome and base close together by forcing them to seat deeply in the two bands. And I do believe I succeeded in doing so!

Buckwoody Egger

Great— I thought about loosening the top band, putting in all spacers, pushing down on the dome and tightening top band might nudge my top band up a bit and improve the dollar bill results. Maybe for next time. But where the dome rests without compression will be where it rests when I am cooking. Also had the thought that the spring tension in the hinge works to lift the egg up (assists with open) rather than hold it down. Which then reminded me about the KJ approach with the latch closure thing on the front. Then I decided it was more looking than cooking and decided to stop farting around. 

OhioEgger

Another difficulty is that many of us don't have those four Franklins handy in our wallets like Ron does.

RRP

OhioEgger said:

Another difficulty is that many of us don't have those four Franklins handy in our wallets like Ron does.

LOL, but ya might need to check your glasses - those were clearly $1 bills!