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Gasket obliteration!

Smoking in the UK
Smoking in the UK Posts: 28
edited November -0001 in EggHead Forum
Hi fellow eggers,

In preparation for cooking some rib eye steaks last night I heated the egg up to 750 degrees and left it to heat the searing plate for 40 minutes or so before putting the steaks on.

Big mistake - it melted parts of the gasket. Question is, should I replace it? Does the gasket keep the seal tight and therefore retain the heat or is it merely to act as a damper for the ceramic in case you drop the lid?

Thanks in advance!!
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Comments

  • FSM-Meatball
    FSM-Meatball Posts: 215
    You will get responses both ways.

    Some people like to go "naked" and it works for them because they still get a good seal without a gasket.

    I like having a gasket to cushion the inevitable drops and keep a tight seal.

    I burned mine original up in 3 months, I got this one - http://www.high-que.com/ and have been very happy with it.
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  • Grandpas Grub
    Grandpas Grub Posts: 14,226
     
     As FSM said above, folks on both sides of the issue. Taking the egg with a felt gasket that hot is an issue and a lot of people loose their gaskets as you did. It's happened to me too.

    As long as the egg can hold a given temperature, you can cook without a gasket without problems.

    I like having a gasket for the cushion so the ceramics won't chip. I also believe the egg will shut down quicker.

    Here is my large egg with a felt gasket that is over 3 years old. The gasket is thin heavily worn out. I don't heat a ceramic click when I close the dome so I haven't changed out the gasket as of yet.

    You can see the leaking.

    oldgasket.jpg

    I burned out my gasket on my mini egg the other night and I am going to use Permatex High Temperature Silicone, available over here at auto parts stores, and make a gasket for the base and dome.

    Be aware if you replace the gasket with another felt BGE gasket at this time, you will most likely have the same problem if you take the egg that hot again.

    When you remove the old worn gasket use a MAPP torch and a razor type blade. Don't gouge or nick the ceramic surface ares. With heat the gasket and adhesive will remove very easily and quickly.

    GG
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  • Smoking in the UK
    Smoking in the UK Posts: 28
    Thanks for the advice guys - I think I'll leave it on as it's only melted in two or three small areas. I love this forum - there's always great advice to be had! :)
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  • Grandpas Grub
    Grandpas Grub Posts: 14,226
     
    If you have or can get some extra gasket material there is no harm in putting some splices in those burnt areas.

    GG
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  • Smoking in the UK
    Smoking in the UK Posts: 28
    Good idea GG - I enquired today from the dealer and it's £10 for a roll of the stuff so not expensive...
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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,511
    Let's see 10 pounds is $16.20 US. You might want to ask for a kiss after that shag! :laugh:
    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
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  • Smoking in the UK
    Smoking in the UK Posts: 28
    Don't even ask what I had to pay for the thing over here - let's just say I'm addicted :laugh:
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  • Grandpas Grub
    Grandpas Grub Posts: 14,226
     
    Last time I checked the felt gasket over here was us$15.

    Put a Permatex ultra copper high temp silicone patch in. You can get a 3oz tube over there for about  £5.5.

    Permatex ultra copper is rated to 700°F / 370°C

    Put a silicone patch in the areas that are damaged areas.

     
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  • Smoking in the UK
    Smoking in the UK Posts: 28
    Thanks GG - appreciate the advice!
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