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Mold

Fake_Chow
Fake_Chow Posts: 37
edited April 2012 in EggHead Forum
I am getting mold on the left side of my BGE, it is just over 1 year old, seems like rain may be getting through the felt seal, but it looks like it is flush.  Is there anything else that could be causing this?  Anything I can try/check or do I just need to make sure it is covered when not in use?  Thanks!
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Comments

  • lousubcap
    lousubcap Posts: 32,314

    Based on your post if you think the inside of your BGE is getting mold, then after you initially light up the lump and have lots of the white smoke, when you shut the dome do you see smoke leaking around the gasket line...if not, then I'm at a loss and even with a gasket leak, fairly frequent use, even low&slow will keep the mold from growing.  Hopefully eggsperts will chime in.

    Louisville; Rolling smoke in the neighbourhood. # 38 for the win.  Life is too short for light/lite beer!  Seems I'm livin in a transitional period.
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  • The Cen-Tex Smoker
    The Cen-Tex Smoker Posts: 22,958
    Has it happened more than once? My answer to all things like this is light it on fire and let it burn hot to clean it out. I've never had mold in mine and it sits outside in the elements uncovered with gasket in various states of disrepair (for 7 years and running). If this is the first time it happened it could just be a one-off that can be fixed by fire.


    Keepin' It Weird in The ATX FBTX
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  • erickpanger
    erickpanger Posts: 48
    that can be fixed by fire.


    My answer to many of life's problems :)
    http://erickpanger.com
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  • The Cen-Tex Smoker
    The Cen-Tex Smoker Posts: 22,958
    that can be fixed by fire.


    My answer to many of life's problems :)
    seems to always get the job done for me :)


    Keepin' It Weird in The ATX FBTX
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  • Fake_Chow
    Fake_Chow Posts: 37

    It has happened 3 x now, NO smoke around the gasket when cooking and it seems like there is a strong seal.  I see moisture after big rains, but travel a lot, so there are times that I am not sure if it rained or not.  The weight of the lid leads me to believe that there is no leak, but I cannot understand where the light water is getting in??

    I have asked a few of my friends with Eggs and they have not had this, thus I am going to those with much more knowledge to try and understand what could be happening or causing this....thanks !

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  • The Cen-Tex Smoker
    The Cen-Tex Smoker Posts: 22,958

    It has happened 3 x now, NO smoke around the gasket when cooking and it seems like there is a strong seal.  I see moisture after big rains, but travel a lot, so there are times that I am not sure if it rained or not.  The weight of the lid leads me to believe that there is no leak, but I cannot understand where the light water is getting in??

    I have asked a few of my friends with Eggs and they have not had this, thus I am going to those with much more knowledge to try and understand what could be happening or causing this....thanks !

    Man, this seems strange. I wonder if there could be food in there that is not burned off and allowing mold to grow. I would light it up to 600-700 (buy a new gasket or decide what you want to do as far as that goes first) and let it burn out. That will eliminate any possible contaminate allowing mold to grow. 
    Keepin' It Weird in The ATX FBTX
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  • stike
    stike Posts: 15,597
    You dont need water for mold. Just a little damp

    In fact, a tight egg might be more inclined
    For example, might even have less mold if you left the vents open

    ed egli avea del cul fatto trombetta -Dante
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  • So Cal EGGhead
    So Cal EGGhead Posts: 122
    I have seen this several times.  I have customers call me for consultations as well.  My only thought is that moisture is already in there when the lid is closed, then it is covered?  No idea.  I have had customers get the mold while the egg is covered with a good cover too.  It has always boggled me.

    I own 5 EGGs and have never had it happen to me. 

    You can burn the mold off with high heat before you cook next.
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  • stike
    stike Posts: 15,597
    The egg isnt watertight even with a perfect gasket. Crazing on the glaze allows water in, whether it's rain or just humidity.

    Again though, an airtight house will be the one that gets moldy.

    Not so much an issue of keeping moisture out as it's being kept in
    ed egli avea del cul fatto trombetta -Dante
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  • Fake_Chow
    Fake_Chow Posts: 37
    I did burn everything down, so that i could eliminate other food or something in the lump. I have been watching it very close and it seems like after a rain it is getting light moisture in it and then being sealed well enough to grow the mold. Gonna have to cover it b/f the next rain to confirm.
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  • ShedFarm
    ShedFarm Posts: 499
    edited May 2012
    Covering it won't help. I easily get mold in mine, given I live in a high humidity area. It's worse in the Eggs that have sun hit them, directly. The thing that has helped the most, is when not in use, open the bottom vent wide (pull the screen door across though, so wasps can't get in), and figure out a way to lift the ceramic cap up a bit. so air can circulate through the Egg. I use two crossing strips of aluminum foil, that I've folded over and over, until they're about 1/4" thick. As the air in the Egg heats, it'll rise and escape out the top, drawing in (relatively) cooler and drier air from the bottom vent.
    BJ (Powhatan, VA)
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  • Duganboy
    Duganboy Posts: 1,118
    Chow you just need to cook on it more  :D
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  • lousubcap
    lousubcap Posts: 32,314
    Chow you just need to cook on it more  :D
    Don't know a cure beyond that...and I live in a high humidily environment but as said above fire will cure it all.  And sometimes (against my choice) I have not been able to fire it up for close to a week-and no mold issues...guess I'm lucky.
    Louisville; Rolling smoke in the neighbourhood. # 38 for the win.  Life is too short for light/lite beer!  Seems I'm livin in a transitional period.
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