Removing Spark Screen

I guess just "unbend" the holder at the end and slide it out. Don't do it if you cook on a wooden deck.

PaulAHeiemann said:

I really want to remove the spark screen.  The screen gets deformed too easily, especially on high heat cooks, and is already damaged.  It's more trouble than it's worth.  Any advice on how to do so?

Suit yourself, but too often I have discovered a disaster like this that was prevented due to the screen being in place. The picture isn't too sharp, but these embers were large marble size! BTW how is your screen getting damaged? Was it improperly installed on the outside instead of the inside?  

It can slide out by bending the retaining flap, but I wouldn't do it.  Once it gets lit, I close it, otherwise there are sparks frequently shooting out. 

PaulAHeiemann said:

I really want to remove the spark screen.  The screen gets deformed too easily, especially on high heat cooks, and is already damaged.  It's more trouble than it's worth.  Any advice on how to do so?

I find this really strange?  No idea how the screen gets deformed during high heat cooks?  Do you not have your charcoal grate in?

RRP said:

Black_Badger said:

My egg is on a concrete patio, so I don't use the screen all that often, but I do find it can be useful for regulating airflow on low/slow cooks. For some reason I feel more confident having the vent open wider with the screen in place rather than the solid door cracked very minimally. 

Cheers -

B_B

LOL - being that far up North you probably seldom grill in your bare feet or even flip-flops, right? Concrete patio or not you catch one of those embers on your tootsies and you'll be doing what I call a "hill billy sh*t stomp dance"!

Didn't Chris's fire start with an ember out of the lower vent? Got in to the garage and landed on newspaper as I remember. Mine was embers on a wood deck. Sure hate to go through that five years of Hell again.

I seem to remember the garage door being something like thirty feet away. He and I talked a lot during the restorations.

PaulAHeiemann said:

Well, I didn't buy the egg to cook pizzas at 500 degrees.  I cook at 900-1000 degrees with regularity. The screen has become detached from the frame.

It is easy to remove, as you don't plan on re-using, why not just cut the offending screen material away (utility knife would work) leaving the empty frame in place. Up to you if you want to live with the fire risk. 

Removing a safety device is ticklish with insurance companies. Leaving the screen open due to forgetfulness is one thing, but removing it might give you trouble should Murphy come calling.