Any options for getting a mesh screen quickly?

CJ

Hi everyone -

I picked up my very first BGE (a second-hand Large, about 8 years old) yesterday. I'm starting to clean it up and get ready to use it, but its old enough that it doesn't have the screen on the lower door.

The BGE website shows that there is an optional part that can be retrofitted, so I called my local dealer today. They didn't have any in stock, so they offered to order one for me. 5-7 business days, $9 for the part. I was fine with that.

Now they've called back and said that they just did a big order from BGE so they don't plan to do another order for three weeks or so, and they either wanted me to a.) wait until they do another order or b.) pay for the shipping from BGE for the part, they figured that would add another $20.

Seems like a kinda poor answer overall. I can't seem to find one of these aftermarket at all.

I've got the egg sitting on a wooden deck, and I have several small children, so there are good reasons not to want embers jumping out of the egg. Any ideas for how to get my hands on one of these reasonably quickly? Alternately, any easy workarounds?

Celtic Wolf

Call the Atlanta retail store and see if it actually does cost $20.00 to have them ship it to you directly.

fishlessman

20 dollars is absurd for shipping a screen

Hoss

Go to your local hardware store and buy a small piece of stainless steel mesh wire.Cut it a little bigger than the entire vent opening and place on the inside of the opening.It should work until you can get the real thing.

fishlessman

easiest work around. until you get the screen do your cooks with a full load of lump, up into the fire ring. there will be enough lump below to stop the embers from falling thru as the fire is up on top. plan on shorter cooks where there is less chance of things getting away from you. the embers are more of a problem with 600 degree or higher pizza and steak cooks than anything and you dont want to do an all day or all night cook if your not watching it.

The Naked Whiz

Well, you could probably live without it for 3 weeks. This is a relatively recent innovation in the life of the Egg and I cooked for several years without one. You could put one of those mats you can buy at Home Depot under it, or a sheet of slate, or a few pavers. If you live near me (Raleigh), I've got one you can borrow. Otherwise, you could just do short cooks and keep an eye on it, perhaps wet down your deck with a hose around the Egg before you start. Good luck.

Bacchus

What an eggcellent piece of advice Fish....

FYI...I have never used my screens but both are on concrete.

Essex County

If you have an old wire strainer, cut it up, tuck it in and save a trip to the hardware store!

Judy Mayberry

I've had two Eggs for 6 or 7 years and neither has screens. And I've never seen an ember fly out of the vent, no matter what the temperature.

Flying sparks only happen when I light with the Mapp torch.

Has anyone actually experienced flying embers from the vent? I'd like to hear about it.

Judy
San Diego

Unknown

Ask Nature Boy. After falling out, one blew 20' to his garage and cost him his house.

fishlessman

yep, burn marks on the deck, pineneedles on fire at the camp. natureboys house. dont get me wrong, i think gassers a even more dangerous, but i dont have my eg on the deck anymore. one cracked on me and it could have been a real problem, its on a stone patio now

CJ

Thanks all. Per Celtic Wolf's suggestion, a quick phone call to the mother ship fixed me right up. Got the part shipping to me now; may not be strictly necessary but I will be more comfortable with it.

Now, the real question: can I make myself wait or do I get some steel mesh screen and rig it up in the meantime so that I can cook! :P

Judy Mayberry

Well, thank you both for the heads up, and though the Eggs are on a concrete patio I'll make sure to get screens for them.

Judy

NoVA Bill

peace of mind is a good thing.