Nomex Help Rqd Downunder

Downunder WA

G'day from Downunder,

I've been the proud owner of a large BGE for a few weeks now & have found this forum to be an excellent source of information, just great for newbies like myself.
Last week I suffered the dreaded gasket adhesive failure, the felt didn't fail but the adhesive tape did, so much so that it all just pulled easily off the egg - no surface cleaning required!
Immediately jumped online & found more than enough info on gasket failure, etc, & main suggestion that a Nomex gasket is the way to go.
Contacted my GBE supplier here in Perth, Western Australia but they said that they have never heard of the new Nomex gasket & weren't really interested in finding out either, they have offered to send me a replacemnet felt gasket free of charge though.
Have already decided that I'd rather fix the problem once & for all rather than utilise another felt gasket & after researching Nomex tape here in Australia I have found a supplier, great I thought problem solved, unfortunately in order for him to supply me with the correct product he needs more information that just the width, thickness & length, he also needs to know what tape density I require.
I tried contacting the Mothership via e-mail for some assistance but have not as yet received any reply hence this post on the forum.
Do any of you fellow Eggheads know the full specification details of the Nomex tape as now being used on the eggs there in the states?
I've already decided that I'm going to specify the non-adhesive tape & use 3M 77 adhesive spray after giving the egg an acetone clean prior to installation of the new gasket.
Any help would be most appreciated.
Rgds Nigel

Grandpas Grub

I am not sure if BGE would supply the full specifications to anyone, that request would have to be direct with HQ.

Lately the problem has been more with the adhesive rather than the felt. 3M Super 77 is recommended by BGE. However, there are a lot of folk using high temp automotive engine silicone.

I am not surprised your supplies doesn't know about Nomex as BGE is only shipping it from HQ.

If you can get BGE to ship to you make sure you request the non adhesive Nomex.

The large needs 1" wide. Medium needs 3/4" wide. On the felt gasket I have seen two thicknesses from BGE. I am just guessing here but one was 1/4" and the other was 3/8".

The Nomex I had was like the thicker felt. I will try to find both thicknesses and the Nomex and measure it tomorrow. Midnight here right now.

If your felt separated from the adhesive, you could pull the adhesive strip off and use 3M 77 to reapply the old gasket as long as it has not been deformed.

GG

An Egg Downunder

"I tried contacting the Mothership via e-mail for some assistance but have not as yet received any reply hence this post on the forum."

Welcome to the frustrating world of BGEing downunder. I've managed to keep my large going for years without any help (and even less interest!)from either BGE or the Australian distributor - Barbeques Galore.

Basically, the attitude seems to be once it's sold then it's your problem. The tyranny of distance I guess.

If you go to the Naked Whiz site there is a section on using Rutland gaskets. I would be happy to discuss a joint order if that helps.

Gandolf

I rally like the new Nomex gasket. If it will help, send me your address in an email. I'll get a Nomex without the adhesive tape from the Mother Ship and send it to you.

Downunder WA

Many Thanks to all of the respondants to my initial post.
In answer to some of the feedback questions/suggestions contained within those replies please read below.

Grandpas Grub - Unfortunately when the gasket failed it did so whilst I was cooking at 500 DegF, due to the heat I was unable to fully reposition the gasket correctly & so of it got fried making it unusable!

An Egg Downunder - I too have been very impressed (not!) with the level of support shown by the Australian distributors - Barbecues Galore. I'll PM you with my contact details so that we can share ideas, etc, in the future.

Gandolf - a big thank-you to you for your kind offer to send source & send a Nomex gasket to me. At present I'll hold-off from that offer as, following a phone-call to an Australia company this morning, I think I have actually found a local supplier.

My other thoughts on the subject are that I would rather not use fiberglass (Rutland type) gasketing material at this stage due to possible health concerns.
Likewise, even though I think that it will fail sooner rather that later, I will iniially use the 3M 77 spray which is "slightly" less toxic than the high-temp silicon adhesive compounds. Those compounds are quite toxic (especially near food!) &, after reading the product MSDS's, they do give off Formaldehyde vapours (bad stuff!)when heated above 300 DegF & they also react to strong oxidising agents, water, moisture, humid air.

I'll keep evryone posted with my future findings especially with regards to Nomex product specifications & the like.

Regards
Nigel