What to look for after BGE has seen some mileage

Gordon_Shumway · May 2015

I got a Large Egg the day after Christmas and I have been cooking on it about once a week since then. As my egg starts to "depreciate" for lack of a better term what are some areas of repair/replacement I should be aware of? Right now it only looks like the gasket may need to be replaced soon.

johnkitchens · May 2015

If nothing cracks or breaks you are good. If it does it will be covered under warranty.

aukerns08 · May 2015

I've had my Large for almost 2 years and I use it probably on a similar pace to what you described. I've yet to have to replace any component of the Egg. The gasket could probably go but it's not leaking smoke and it's holding temp regularly so I leave it. I'm also fairly cheap and lazy so it has to get pretty bad before I really act on changing it. I just keep an eye out for cracks in the base, dome, firebox and fire ring, those are really the only components that could go really. Also just make sure your lid/bands aren't wobbly to adjust the band bolts if needed, I haven't had to make adjustments there yet either.

Gordon_Shumway · May 2015

johnkitchens said:

If nothing cracks or breaks you are good. If it does it will be covered under warranty.

The only crack I noticed was a small chip on the opening at the top but it doesn't seem to be leaking or anything.

Jeepster47 · May 2015

My concrete guys tell me there are two types of concrete; 'that that has cracked and that that is going to crack." I think that applies somewhat to our BGEs also. Like my concrete, cracks don't immediately make the product unusable. Many folks like to see how long they can continue to cook with a cracked fire ring or fire bowl ... even scoring extra personal points if it's broken into multiple pieces.

So, if you find a crack don't panic, like @johnkitchens says, "it will be covered under warranty." (You do have your original sales receipt tucked safely away?) The only area that you should pay extra attention to is the bottom of the base. Don't become OCD about checking, but if you're cooking on a wooden surface, check it more often than if you're cooking on a non-flammable surface. Dropping a load of flaming lump on your wooden deck will probably not end well.

Oh yes, check the torque (125 inch pounds) on your band bolts periodically. if they get loose from the heat-cool cycling, then opening the top too quickly can launch the dome ... it doesn't make a good Frisbee.

Best of all enjoy ... they're really a pretty rugged product.

fishlessman · May 2015

how much mileage we talking about

jtcBoynton · May 2015

Jeepster47 said:

My concrete guys tell me there are two types of concrete; 'that that has cracked and that that is going to crack." I think that applies somewhat to our BGEs also. Like my concrete, cracks don't immediately make the product unusable. Many folks like to see how long they can continue to cook with a cracked fire ring or fire bowl ... even scoring extra personal points if it's broken into multiple pieces.

So, if you find a crack don't panic, like @johnkitchens says, "it will be covered under warranty." (You do have your original sales receipt tucked safely away?) The only area that you should pay extra attention to is the bottom of the base. Don't become OCD about checking, but if you're cooking on a wooden surface, check it more often than if you're cooking on a non-flammable surface. Dropping a load of flaming lump on your wooden deck will probably not end well.

Oh yes, check the torque (125 inch pounds) on your band bolts periodically. if they get loose from the heat-cool cycling, then opening the top too quickly can launch the dome ... it doesn't make a good Frisbee.

Best of all enjoy ... they're really a pretty rugged product.

Do I get extra points for fire bowl in three pieces, fire grate in three pieces, and fire ring in two pieces? Think its time to replace them? These are the original parts from an old, old egg. I pulled them today - thinking about going down to the local BGE dealer to look at replacements.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5017260/uploads/editor/lb/x4hywi4m6eu8.jpg

Angus1978 · May 2015

you get 3 points!

WeberWho · May 2015

Make sure you check and tighten your band bolts every season change or earlier. Don't let that dome slip out of the band and fall.

Ladeback69 · May 2015

Gordon_Shumway said:

I got a Large Egg the day after Christmas and I have been cooking on it about once a week since then. As my egg starts to "depreciate" for lack of a better term what are some areas of repair/replacement I should be aware of? Right now it only looks like the gasket may need to be replaced soon.

I have had my XL for a little over a year now and use it at least once a week, sometimes 4 or 5 times a week and have had to replace the fire box when it cracked during cooking. Now I thought my gasket was bad, but it turned out the lid was out of adjustment. If it is leaking smoke make sure you don't have an overbite or underbite on your lid. If either left the lid and remove the Spring/s, set the lid down slowly and loosen the nuts for the lid. Move the lid back into popper position and tighten the bolts to 125 inch pounds as @Jeepster47 recommends. It's also what recommends. Now if the gasket looks bad from a lot of high temp cooks I would contact @RRP about getting a Rutland gasket for it. I bought the egg, because I figured it was going to out last a gas grill or my lifetime.

TnJed · May 2015

The Egg I use the most is around 20 years old.

I replaced the grate at the bottom with a iron one. It's going to need to be replaced soon.

My fire ring is cracked, but it hasn't made any noticeable difference in the cooking.

I might talk to my local dealer about getting it warrantied though.

jtcBoynton · May 2015

@TnJed Does your 20 year old egg have the scissor type hinges like the ones in the picture? I am trying to get a idea how old my egg is.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5017260/uploads/editor/qi/jupbb4i9es45.jpg

WeberWho · May 2015

Also check the dome thermometer and calibrate if needed

TnJed · May 2015

It did, but I just replaced all the exterior metal and hinges. I don't miss having to lock the hinge, in order to prop the lid up.

You can tell yours is pretty old because the texture is the older texture.

Gordon_Shumway · May 2015

fishlessman said:

how much mileage we talking about

Haha not that much mileage yet.

ads75 · May 2015

My large BGE is about 4-5 years old, only things I have replaced are the fire grate with a Hi-Que, but that was more optional than necessary. Also replaced the daisy wheel with a SmokeWare top, also optional. I got a replacement gasket from RRP last year, which I haven't replaced yet, my original gasket is still clinging to life. I did replace the thermometer once because I forced the lid closed on something and bent it.

Instead of worrying about what needs replacement, don't worry, probably nothing. Use that money for something else, Hi-Que grate, SmokeWare top, thermopen, Woo/Adjustable rack from Ceramic Grill Store...

TN_Sister_State · May 2015

I second the check of all the bolts and nuts. My egg developed an under bite on the top due to my top band bolt coming loose. I now have to replace the bolts since the threads were stripped trying to tighten it up. I will be checking them every 3 months from here on out. My friends have never had an issue but they arent using there eggs as much as me. Shame on them...... Im 4-5 times a week year round with long cooks pretty much every weekend. When my meat csa comes in I may have to take a pto day for a long weekend of cooking.

What to look for after BGE has seen some mileage

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