Cracked Firebox - Warning to others too?

sprinter

Hey all,[p]The other day when I was cooking those calzones I had to get the dome temperature up to about 500 degrees. I was watching the dome temperature climb slowly, I had 2 bricks flat, two on edge, and my pizza stone on top of that. It took quite awhile to get the dome temp to 500 due to all of the mass in there. Anyway, as I was watching the temp climb slowly, I heard a pop, thought it may have been my pizza dish, but nothing looked broken when I opened the egg. Yesterday I went out to clean up from some other cooking that I had done and investigate the noise a bit. I took out the coals and looked at the firebox and there is a crack down one side of the box. I wonder if there was too much mass in there to try and get the dome temp that high? Maybe I should have gotten the coals hot, then put the bricks in and let it heat up from there? Not sure. Anyway, replacement firebox is in the works but wanted to warn others about this, might be a fluke but with that hot of a fire and that much mass, maybe the box just couldnt stand it, heat was too concentrated. I would hate to think what the temperature of the bottom of those bricks was. Any input would be appreciated to try and keep it from happening again.[p]Troy

Nature Boy

sprinter,
Firebox cracks are pretty common, but don't seem to affect cooking. Still haven't heard of any falling apart.[p]You have me curious now. I am gonna take a poll!
NB

Grumpa

Nature Boy,[p]My firebox is broke into 3 pieces. Not cracked but broke! I've been using it for several months this way and will take it in for replacement next time I go to BGE HQ. Has not been a problem in cooking though.

Char-Woody

Bob, thanks for the post. I also have crack(s) in my firechamber and it bothers me not in the least I have cooking high and low temps and it performs like a new one. No problems.
I have suggested to BGE that maybe the cracks are telling them something. The actual shape of the firechamber and the vent holes may be a contributor. They are stress cracks, partially heat related. I think by making the chamber in 3 sections, each mating to the other one so when in place its solid yet in 3 parts. This would be the front ash section and two others, matching except for the ash vent. Simply slide them together in assembly like tinker toy parts.
Overall, the expense of sending 1/3 of a firechamber is far more cost effective in replacements than sending a whole new one..
Just my thoughts...C~W[p]

Grumpa

Char-Woody,[p]A GREAT idea from you on that theory. I like the way that sounds and would probably work quite well. Like I said, mine is now broken into 3 pieces so I probably already have the configuration you are refering to :~) [p]It is a real comfort knowing that I can have it replaced with one phone call or visit but, why worry? It cooks just great like it is so I'm in no rush.

Brant

Char-Woody,[p]Sounds like a good idea. I humbly volunteer my services as a tester when the prototype is made! :-)[p]Brant

Char-Woody

Bob, we think alike!! If a tire runs as good without air in it..why worry about it..(And they do make em now)
Sometime we humans suffer from the "Chicken Little" syndrome about the "Sky is falling' the sky is falling" when in reality there is little to be concerned about. According to BGE, the percentage of cracked firechambers is very low statistically in comparison to sales. "Quote Ed Fisher". And yes, they are working on new ceramic materials to try to overcome this phenomena. I think they already have the fire tolerance..just need to re-think the design a bit. Its such a minor detail that is probably not worth the retooling to do it..!
I have to congratulate BGE in all the other appliance changes that have occured the last 2 years..Proves they are consumer concious. [p]Cheers..C~W[p]

Teslamania

sprinter,[p]The ring above my the fire box on my large Egg also cracked, and when I told my dealer about it they replaced it on the spot with no questions asked. I think that there can be too much ceramic mass. I used thick fire bricks two flat and one on the side on either end. Getting up to Pizza or Calzone temps must concentrate an awful lot of heat down in the fire box. I wonder what the effect would be with thinner fire bricks, or if we reduced the amount of mass used.

sprinter

Teslamania,[p]I did use the thinner fire brick, not sure if they make them any thinner than 1 1/4 inch or not. I think not. The thicker ones were 2 1/2? I think and I have two of them but did not use them. I think your right on track with the idea that the heat was too concentrated, there must have been a heck of a lot of heat on the bottom of those bricks. Not sure how to solve the problem yet, if there is a problem, but I'd hate to keep putting cracks in my firebox if I know this is whats causing it.[p]Troy

Teslamania

sprinter,[p]Perhaps it is best to only use what is necessary. I use the fire bricks to elevate a second cooking grate. I will probably buy the new BGE grate and get the plate setter. BTW did you like the "self cleaning" aspect of all that heat in the fire box?