Frozen Egg

BGEOhio

Live in snowy cold Cleveland. Move here from warmer climates, and have discovered a problem- looking for help. After long smoking sessions when the temp is below 20 degrees- the egg freezes shut. How do you prevent? Anybody have any suggestions?

FlaPoolman

Keep cooking :laugh: :laugh: Try putting a piece of foil between the gaskets.

BGEOhio

Thanks - wish I lived back in FL

FlaPoolman

supposed to get back to 80 this weekend

TheDirtyBurger

I have read that some people put toothpicks on the lip/gasket so that when it shuts there is still a tad bit of space. I try to open the egg everytime i go by it in the winter to prevent the ice from forming, this also lets me know if its frozen shut or not too!
tim

Canugghead

after the egg has cooled down, i put waxy paper from cereal box between the gaskets, seems to work well.

Ripnem

Don't get me wrong, but I've only used my new LBGE in the coldest temps MN has seen in like 100 yrs and never had any freezing issues. Um...not that I'm helping your issue, just a bit confused. No really, -20 for many many cooks in January and no real issues. Although it sure is nice to feel the warmth of the 30's. Really wax paper?

dhuffjr

bahhhh going to be 70 here in southwest Ohio Saturday...see snow in the long range forcast for next Saturday though :woohoo:

LabLover

It may not be frozen due to water freezing but rather a grease film build up that causes the lid to stick to the bottom when the BGE cools. I have used foil between the top and bottom before it cools and that works. However, I have found a better fix is to scrape the top and bottom gaskets with a putty knife when the BGE is cool (keeping the putty knife 90 degrees to the gasket so as not to cut it) to remove the gease film. Then sprinkle a light coating of fine wood sawdust on the bottom gasket and leave it there...problem solved for cold weather and when the outside temp warms up there is no need to do this.

Little Steven

Adam,

I think it's got more to do with the freeze thaw cycles and the precipitation. Only happens to me rarely and mine are covered in snow most of the winter.

Steve

BGEOhio

Will give this a try. Thanks

SGT BBQ

Live in Illinois and my egg was frozen shut twice this winter. Snow wont freeze it shut but freezing rain will. I now place small plastic garbage bag in between the gaskets and I have not had a problem since.

Canugghead

Exactly.

scuba dude

I have the answer because it happened to me last February (2010) during the DC Snowmeggedon. I observed that is was caused by the thaw & refreeze that occurred during the day.
Needless to say I looked foolish with my wife's hair dryer which obviously did not work. I decided to grab two of the Big Green Egg Fire Starter cubes and put them in the ash box in the shape of a triangle. I open the top of the grill and lit the cubes. I came back in about 15 - 20 minutes and the grill was thawed out so that I could open it. As an added benefit, the charcoal was lit and was ready to cook.
Before we get our upcoming snow storms, make sure you purchase some of the Big Green Egg Fire Starters. I will not go through anymore winters without them since I enjoy cooking year round.