Shade Sail over Big Green Egg - Am I crazy?

HeathCave · September 2014

Egg and forum newbie here! Long time lurker, first time poster! LOL

Anyway, I have a cove of a back patio that I want to start building out into a grillin' & chillin' station over time. I purchased some 12' shade sails to cover the patio with and give some shade (a pergola has been ruled out for now due to the odd shape, eaves, etc). It gets really hot back there right around the time I usually fire up the grill in the summer. I plan to mount them tomorrow (assuming the rain gives me a window) from rooftop to rooftop.

BUT, I noticed tonight that the shade sail instructions say "Do not use a barbecue under the sails." What the?!? Geez.

I think the sails will be about 5'-7' above the top of the egg. Am I crazy to just go for it? I think the instructions are just being cautious, so I need some practical (not legally binding) advice. I think their main fear is sparks floating up, but I cook with the egg closed 95% of the time. The only time it is open is when I open it to put food on or take it off.

As a precaution I have considered building (as part of my future table) a tin covering (or something) over the egg to reduce risk. I have also thought about possibly painting the sails with some sort of flame retardant paint/sealer.

Anyone got any ideas? Does anyone think I should back away from the edge? Or does this seem like it's ok to do?

EGGjlmh · September 2014

First of all, Welcome!

If it were me, I wouldn't worry about it at all, good luck!

Thatgrimguy · September 2014

I would absolutely do it.

RiverDoc · September 2014

Welcome! I keep an umbrella over mine until I can build a roof and I'm sure my umbrella is closer than your sail. So far mine does fine so good luck!

RiverDoc · September 2014

Umm sorry the pic is sideways

Biggreenpharmacist · September 2014

I probably wouldnt do any high heat pizza cooks or clean burns. Other than that think you would be ok.

Scottborasjr · September 2014

As long as you aren't going to leave it completely unattended for a really hot cook you should be just fine. I would think as long as you respect the fact that you have a open flame that close to some sort of covering you will be fine.

HeathCave · September 2014

Thanks everybody! Feeling better about it. I definitely won't be leaving it unattended for any high heat cooks...and be extra watchful opening the dome. And I'll probably get some sort of fire extinguisher to keep nearby (which is probably wise anyway).

@RiverDoc, I just bought a similar umbrella a couple weekends ago (for a quick sun-break for a busy cooking weekend), maybe I will keep that nearby to help protect from any floating sparks as well. Thx for making me think of that!

What a great forum...Glad to be an egger and on this forum! Thanks again for all of the advice. If I get the sails up tomorrow, I will post some pics!

grege345 · September 2014

@HeathCave‌ I would roll the nest down the patio so the smoke doesn't dis color the sail. Be careful rolling it tho

ksmyrl · September 2014

I use an umbrella also. My outdoor kitchen is not 100% covered. The umbrella is used to shade the griller on hot afternoons and i move it over the egg if it's raining. No issues so far. Good luck with the install and welcome!!

stemc33 · September 2014

Welcome to the madness. I'm not sure exactly what a shade sail is, but I agree with @grege345‌ on moving the egg. I think smoke will be your biggest concern. Also,I f your going to be moving the egg around, you might want to consider getting a nest handler.
Looking forward to seeing some of your cooks. Once again, welcome to the forum.

Carolina Q · September 2014

I wouldn't use a flammable "roof" over any grill. Especially one that has an afterburner feature! http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/comment/1514123#Comment_1514123

That BigGreenCraig pic farther down the page is particularly scary. The only thing in the pic that isn't flammable is the egg!

DaveRichardson · September 2014

I've wanted to do the same kinda thing. I was planning on using metal posts anchored in concrete as my mounts. I was planning on having it at least 8ft high at its lowest portion.

tulocay · September 2014

Welcome

travisstrick · September 2014

No way. All you have to do is crank the egg to a little hotter than your normal temps and then place your hand over the top.

HeathCave · September 2014

Well, I decided I'm going for it but the rain kept me from getting them all the way up today. Hoping to finish in the morning.

I am however going to put a fire resistant grill canopy (ordered..see attached) over the egg for some added protection, with hopes of building something more substantial when budget allows.

If the roof isn't wet tomorrow morning, they're going up! Will post pics when I get the sails up and/or when I get the canopy up too.

HeathCave · September 2014

I promised a pic and here it is! The sails are up and they're about 6' above the top of the egg with a slight R to L angle for rain runoff. Glad to have some shade! It's not 100% coverage but it's enough to break the north Texas heat on my patio. Phase 1 of the patio cooking area complete!

I ordered a separate fire-resistant canopy for over the egg (seen above...hoping to get it this week) and then I'm going to build some freestanding side cabinets for each side of the egg and take off the cheap looking egg mates. I like having the egg in the nest, so I'm planning to build around it basically and keep things sort of modular.

What do you guys think?

henapple · September 2014

I'd throw a roof over it.

texaswig · September 2014

It looks good. I like the looks of shade sails.

HeathCave · September 2014

henapple said:

I'd throw a roof over it.

I think one day I might do something more permanent like a raised roof, pergola or something like that...when budget allows.

Terrebandit · September 2014

I think the wind will eventually rip those thing off, but you are good to go withe the BGE, IMHO.

RiverDoc · September 2014

Looks great how does the sail shed water? I have also considered those

HeathCave · September 2014

@RiverDoc, the sails are like a nylon/plastic material so they don't absorb water, it just runs off, but you have to make sure that you have them at an angle for it run off obviously.

ksmyrl · September 2014

Like my granddad always said, opinions are worth what you paid for them. But...I think that looks pretty slick. Nice use of an unusual space. Enjoy!

johnkitchens · September 2014

A Big Green Egg and Directv all in the same pic. A man after my own heart.

lousubcap · September 2014

First up-welcome aboard and enjoy the journey. Nice audible! Enjoy the cooks.

HeathCave · September 2014

johnkitchens said:

A Big Green Egg and Directv all in the same pic. A man after my own heart.

If only that DirecTV were feeding to a TV right there by the BGE! What else could a man ask for? Well....

johnkitchens · September 2014

I know what you mean. When cooking chicken, etc. I usually watch Netflix on my phone. One day (soon hopefully) I am going to put a tv and a receiver down there.

Sixpack1 · September 2014

Nothing crazy about that. Probably gave others an idea...

Botch · September 2014

HeathCave said:I noticed tonight that the shade sail instructions say "Do not use a barbecue under the sails." What the?!? Geez.

I think the sails will be about 5'-7' above the top of the egg.

You're fine. Most of the outside-the-box warnings on products these days are via overworried lawyers; if you have two hours tomorrow, read all the warning labels on your ladder!

r8rs4lf · September 2014

Where did you order that fire resistant canopy? I'm looking for something like that.

Shade Sail over Big Green Egg - Am I crazy?

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