Welcome to the EGGhead Forum - a great place to visit and packed with tips and EGGspert advice! You can also join the conversation and get more information and amazing kamado recipes by following Big Green Egg to Experience our World of Flavor™ at:
Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Pinterest  |  Youtube  |  Vimeo
Share your photos by tagging us and using the hashtag #BigGreenEgg.

Want to see how the EGG is made? Click to Watch

Let's Talk Smokeware Caps

DoubleEgger
DoubleEgger Posts: 19,197
in EggHead Forum
I have a cap with the older design. I find it hard to control the temp with it. Almost impossible to do a low and slow with it. Today, it took 3 hrs for my medium to cool from 500F to 200F. It seems like my cap has a lot of play between the two pieces. I can stick a toothpick between the sections. For the SW cap owners out there, how much play do you have between the sections? 


· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Legume
    Legume Posts: 15,936
    Mine is original style as well, but doesn't seem to have as much play.  Honestly though, I only adjust it when I'm trying to run below 230 or below, everything else is controlled with just the bottom.  I have an XL for reference.
    THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • texaswig
    texaswig Posts: 2,682
    Smokeware cap is probably my next purchase for the egg. 

    2-XLs ,MM,blackstone,Ooni koda 16,R&V works 8.5 gallon fryer,express smoker and 40" smoking cajun 

    scott 
    Greenville Tx
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rossv1
    rossv1 Posts: 114
    Glad this popped up as I broke my rain cap and, while I don't really want a smokeware, it'd be nice to hear about some of the good and bad things about them
    22 in Macon, GA - Large BGE 2015
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • theyolksonyou
    theyolksonyou Posts: 18,459
    I have one of each design. I find holding low temp easy in each. However, the new holds lower, easier. Can't get the old one of the large as the gasket welded to the dome, so can't check play like you did, but it shuts down fine. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hapster
    hapster Posts: 7,503
    I have the older version... It's got so much gunk caked in it that the fit is tight and doing 225° to 250° is no problem... Then again, I don't worry about temps that much. 
    MSV Chill Spot
    Chester County, PA

    http://egginwithedward.blogspot.com/

    http://edwardhardingphotography.zenfolio.com/
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • THEBuckeye
    THEBuckeye Posts: 4,232
    edited November 2015
    I'm good with a rusty daisy and manual temp control. 

    Have a 5LB 7 quart DO Pot Roast finishing up as we speak. 

    330ish going on 5 hours. 

    Tito's going on 1.
    New Albany, Ohio 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,460
    I have both old and new and had no trouble with either. I know they had a sloppy run once and apparently yours was from that ilk. I'm pretty sure that quality issue was a one time fluke and what is being sold today are fine.
    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pgprescott
    pgprescott Posts: 14,544
    I'm with Hap. Mine got a good
    layer of gunk after a couple long cooks its nice and tight now. It was a little loose right out the box. Good luck. Don't be afraid to contact them if you are dissatisfied. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DoubleEgger
    DoubleEgger Posts: 19,197
    Thanks for the replies. I normally go topless on higher heat cooks but the rain today made me pull out the cap. It won't hold 225-235F with the cap completely closed. I just sent and email to Smokeware to get their opinion on it. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pgprescott
    pgprescott Posts: 14,544
    I will say this if you over shoot and try to
    lower from 400-500 you wil never get there.  Never. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DoubleEgger
    DoubleEgger Posts: 19,197
    Oh that's a given especially with the medium...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
    Mine is fairly tight on both the old and new design. I have the old design on the MM and have maintained 200-275 for 9 hrs now. Last night on the MM I was rolling Zas at 650-700 and shut it down with the Smokeware after cooling to 500 with the lower vent and it cooled off relatively fast. I've never timed it but, I've never had an issue maintaining temp. And I keep my Smokeware very clean (always have). I know others say the gunk buildup helps but, I've never had issues even when it's clean. I can't imagine there's a huge difference from each unit considering these are built off of a tight tolerance tooling. Maybe I'm wrong. 
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Shiff
    Shiff Posts: 1,835
    I have the original design and it is very tight.  I'd suggest contacting them about yours.  I thoroughly clean mine every 6 months or so and even when it is nice and shiny, it is still tight.
    Large BGE
    Barry, Lancaster, PA
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mahenryak
    mahenryak Posts: 1,324
    edited November 2015
    I have an older model for my lg and a newer one for my kj jr.  I am able to easily maintain low temps using either unit. 
    LG BGE, KJ Jr, Smokin Bros. Premier 36 and Pizza Party Bollore



    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 4Runner
    4Runner Posts: 2,948
    Old and new here on an Large with no issues. Key is how much you light.  Just adjust your technique and you will be fine.  
    Joe - I'm a reformed gasser-holic aka 4Runner Columbia, SC Wonderful BGE Resource Site: http://www.nakedwhiz.com/ceramicfaq.htm and http://www.nibblemethis.com/  and http://playingwithfireandsmoke.blogspot.com/2006/02/recipes.html
    What am I drinking now?   Woodford....neat
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • onedbguru
    onedbguru Posts: 1,648
    I have an XL with a fairly new SW cap.  (purchased earlier this year).  I recently did an overnight L/S at ~250 - it was a rainy, windy night which is about the only time I use the SW cap. Stabilized for ~1hr before adding the meat.  Went to bed and woke up around 7AM - it was still at 250 and it stayed there until I took the pork butt off at ~12 noon (14hr cook). Mostly controlled with lower vent, SW cap as open maybe 1/2 inch, bottom only ~1/4inch. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sctdg
    sctdg Posts: 301
    I have old and new style .Also have flat plug which helps a lot for shut down . Both caps get real tight after being used for a few cooks and I have not experienced any problems maintaining temp. New style works real well with my Auber control, leave Smokeware opened about the thickness of a dime and temps are rock solid . Controller or no controller Smokeware is all I use ,stock cap I think might have been used maybe two times .
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AUCE
    AUCE Posts: 890
    Those considering it...buy one...love mine

    I would much rather be able to say I was glad I did than wished I had........

    XL owner and purveyor of pallette perfection...

    Homosassa....Mecca of Florida

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bgebrent
    bgebrent Posts: 19,636
    I have older design on a L and newer one on my XL.  Both fit snug and both do L & S no problem. Might need a new one brother. 
    Sandy Springs & Dawsonville Ga
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Simcan
    Simcan Posts: 287
    I have the new one. For me, it works well for low and slow but is almost useless for a higher temp cook (e.g., 350 to 450).  When I am trying for 400 with the old daisy wheel it is a breeze.  With the smokeware it shoots up to 450 and then drops quickly down to 350, up and down, up and down.  Not sure why.  I gave it several cooks before I gave up.  I only use it now for low-and-slow.
    Toronto ON
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DoubleEgger
    DoubleEgger Posts: 19,197
    I had to use mine for a high heat cook due to the rain yesterday....
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EggPerfection
    EggPerfection Posts: 124
    I've always seen that group provide strong customer support.  You should contact them if you're not satisfied.
    As for the cap, I'm a daisy wheel man.
    Best - Jack
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • minniemoh
    minniemoh Posts: 2,145
    @DoubleEgger - I had one just like that. Couldn't keep the temp low no matter how much gunk I let build up between the pieces. I contacted the company and they sent me a new one with a call tag to send the old one back. By far some of the best customer service I have ever had. Matt is a great guy. 

    The new one I received fits much tighter between the top and bottom and now low-n-slow temp is no problem. 
    L x2, M, S, Mini and a Blackstone 36. She says I have enough now....
    eggAddict from MN!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DoubleEgger
    DoubleEgger Posts: 19,197
    Thanks @minniemoh  I sent them a email with the picture yesterday so hopefully I'll get a response soon. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • theyolksonyou
    theyolksonyou Posts: 18,459
    Matts a great guy. Be surprised if he doesn't make it right. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories