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Wobbly Box

Humpy_Dumpty
Humpy_Dumpty Posts: 34
in EggHead Forum
Figured that might get some attention.  The firebox in my minimax is very wobbly. Has anyone else had this problem? I've replaced the base and the firebox and nothing has fixed the problem.  My XL firebox is as stable as can be.  Thoughts?  
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Comments

  • YukonRon
    YukonRon Posts: 17,261
    Moisture? Either that or a bad mold. It should be ok. If not, you have a warranty, if needed.
    "Knowledge is Good" - Emil Faber

    XL and MM
    Louisville, Kentucky
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  • pgprescott
    pgprescott Posts: 14,544
    I have noticed this on several I have put together at the store. I think they need to iron out some fit and finish issues. I have used washers or a thin piece of steel as shims to stabilize things. Seems to work. Good luck. 
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  • Durangler
    Durangler Posts: 1,122
    Yeah, My fire ring is a bit wobbly sitting on the firebox. Not real bad, but I folded small pieces of aluminum foil & placed on the low spots. It's firm now.
    I suppose a guy could sand down the high spots is they were so inclined.
    XL BGE, 22" Weber Red Head, Fiesta Gasser .... Peoria,AZ
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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,457
    Another issue that will cause that same symptom is a firebox that is out of round! In other words it could be slightly oval shaped. You might want to lift it out so you can get an accurate measurement and then then measure the diameter across several ways. If it is out then I'd claim faulty manufacture is as legit a warranty claim as breakage is.
    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
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  • Mattman3969
    Mattman3969 Posts: 10,458
    @rrp - as nice as I can say this without offending you. Are you saying that if the bottom of a slight oval is flat it will still be wobbly?  

    -----------------------------------------

    analyze adapt overcome

    2008 -Large BGE. 2013- Small BGE and 2015 - Mini. Henderson, Ky.
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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,457
    Mattman3969 said:
    @rrp - as nice as I can say this without offending you. Are you saying that if the bottom of a slight oval is flat it will still be wobbly?  
    Yes! I have that very problem with the firebox in my small. It is slightly oval and does not fit all the way down inside my outer shell. So whether the bottom is 100% flat or not it doesn't make any difference if it can't sit flat! I shim the bottom and then let the ash fill the rest. Got it now?
    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
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  • Mattman3969
    Mattman3969 Posts: 10,458
    edited September 2015
    I think I understand.  The top ring of your firebox is binding up on the shell of the egg before it sits on the floor of the base.  If that is the case I understand a flat bottom to the fire box makes no difference because it's not touching.  Is that what you're saying?   

    I didn't gather that info from you oval post.  I was thinking oval bottom of the fire ring.  

    -----------------------------------------

    analyze adapt overcome

    2008 -Large BGE. 2013- Small BGE and 2015 - Mini. Henderson, Ky.
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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,457
    Mattman3969 said:
    I think I understand.  The top ring of your firebox is binding up on the shell of the egg before it sits on the floor of the base.  If that is the case I understand a flat bottom to the fire box makes no difference because it's not touching.  Is that what you're saying?   

    I didn't gather that info from you oval post.  I was thinking oval bottom of the fire ring.  
    Yes, oval firebox inside a round shell makes the firebox stop since it touches the side of the outer shell and not go all the way down thus rocking on the two pivot points.
    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
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  • Jeepster47
    Jeepster47 Posts: 3,827
    @RRP ... a little sandpaper will alleviate the touch points and allow the firebox to set tight on the bottom without the need for shimming.

    My newest, large egg had a rock-n-roll firebox.  Got tired of it this morning while cleaning up the eggs.  I took the firebox out of the egg and tipped it upside down on the grass.  Used a full sheet (9" x 11") of 60 grit sandpaper glued to a flat piece of Plexiglas to sand the bottom of the firebox flat.  Plywood would have worked, but I already had the sandpaper/Plexiglas combination made up.  Took about five minutes to get rid of the hump.

    I've used the concrete method posted by @Mattman3969, but didn't get the same results as with the sandpaper/Plexiglas approach.

    Washington, IL  >  Queen Creek, AZ ... Two large eggs and an adopted Mini Max

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  • clifkincaid
    clifkincaid Posts: 572
    Mine wobbles...I just keep cooking. It doesn't bother me. I have a warranty if needed.
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  • stemc33
    stemc33 Posts: 3,567
    I just leave a good layer of ash in mine to prevent wobbling. 
    Steven
    Mini Max with Woo stone combo, LBGE, iGrill 2, Plate Setter, 
    two cotton pot holders to handle PS
    Banner, Wyoming
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  • Jeepster47
    Jeepster47 Posts: 3,827
    @clifkincaid & @stem33 ... you do understand that it's not politically correct to pick on the handicapped ... yes?  I'm pretty sure that OCD is considered a handicap by many folks.

    Washington, IL  >  Queen Creek, AZ ... Two large eggs and an adopted Mini Max

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  • stemc33
    stemc33 Posts: 3,567
    edited September 2015
    Jeepster47 said:
    @clifkincaid & @stem33 ... you do understand that it's not politically correct to pick on the handicapped ... yes?  I'm pretty sure that OCD is considered a handicap by many folks.
    I never thought of it like that, but now that you mentioned it....I guess it's not political correct. Lol. Maybe that's why the DSM V now contains a chapter on OCD. 
    Steven
    Mini Max with Woo stone combo, LBGE, iGrill 2, Plate Setter, 
    two cotton pot holders to handle PS
    Banner, Wyoming
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  • Humpy_Dumpty
    Humpy_Dumpty Posts: 34
    Update - thanks for all the advice. I think it is/was a combination of a bad mold and the firebox. The firebox was wobbly on the driveway, so it twisted it until it was level. Took like 45 turns (literally). But it still wobbled inside the base, which leads me to conclude the base itself is off. Since this is the second base with the same issue, I feel like maybe the mold they use is bad and/or they still have a few kinks to work out with the minimax.  At the end of the day I used some   Aluminum foil to shim the box level. Seems to work, but I'm a bit disappointed in the BGE. It's not cheap, you know? Four phone calls and emails to BGE customer service went unanswered.  Don't get me wrong, it cooks great and it's a cute little grill. I guess I just expect a bit more given the stellar performance of my XL.
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