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

Egg Dome in No Man's Land: Won't Open, Won't Close...

Chelnerul
Chelnerul Posts: 154
in EggHead Forum
Brethren,

Egg dome has been creaking and been misaligned for a few weeks, nothing dramatic, but after I did a clean burn last night following wings I noticed the dome was really tight and misaligned in opening and closing. Thinking it was a dome bolt thing, I loosened the back bolts, and now it won't open or close, and the alignment is dramatically off (pics).

While it's embarrassing to ask, help!

Thanks,
Chelnerul

Manning our FOB in occupied Northern Virginia...
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Eggcelsior
    Eggcelsior Posts: 14,414
    Lube up the hinges. My dad's had a similar issue and that took care of it.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RockyTopDW
    RockyTopDW Posts: 338
    i had a similar problem.  mine wouldn't shut.  the back bolts on the hinge had seized up.  i loosened them up & it fixed everything.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Chelnerul
    Chelnerul Posts: 154
    I hit the back hinges with some silica spray and they're all moving well it seems to my eye, but still can't get it to rock back or forth beyond an inch or two. It looks like a lot of pressure it sitting on the right hinge and spring, while the left side is moving all over the place (as normal) and has a loose spring...
    Manning our FOB in occupied Northern Virginia...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Photo Egg
    Photo Egg Posts: 12,137
    This is your problem area.nd
    Loosen this bolt. It can self tighten over time if the hinge starts to bind a little.
    The end of the bolt can also touch the band and create issues.
    I ground mine a little shorter.
    Loosen and oil this joint.
    Thank you,
    Darian

    Galveston Texas
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cortguitarman
    cortguitarman Posts: 2,061
    @Photo Egg hit the nail on the head. I've had this happen to mine. You probably noticed some binding first.
    Mark Annville, PA
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Chelnerul
    Chelnerul Posts: 154
    Thanks @Photo Egg , that bolt had become tight, so I loosened it and it allowed the dome to open again. However, it falls back down to the bizarre lopsided angle as before, and it still will not close.
    Manning our FOB in occupied Northern Virginia...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cortguitarman
    cortguitarman Posts: 2,061
    Check your bolts on both sides. Also check the piece your springs attach to behind the bolt. They may have moved causing your springs to be pulling the dome. Lift the lid, loosen the spring hooks and take the springs off. Readjust your dome without springs the lift the dome and hook the springs back up. This should solve your issue. The great thing about the xl is that the hinge is much easier to work on then the other eggs.
    Mark Annville, PA
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Photo Egg
    Photo Egg Posts: 12,137
    edited February 2016
    Chelnerul said:
    Thanks @Photo Egg , that bolt had become tight, so I loosened it and it allowed the dome to open again. However, it falls back down to the bizarre lopsided angle as before, and it still will not close.
    Try the other side now.

    If not I would open the dome and then remove the springs. Easier with dome open.
    After removing the springs I would loosen the main bolt that tightens and holds the dome. Remove the dome. This will alow you to freely lift and move the handle and find where its binding with no weight strain from the dome or the springs.
    Thank you,
    Darian

    Galveston Texas
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Chelnerul
    Chelnerul Posts: 154
    I'm trying gentlemen, but I'm not getting anywhere last night or tonight (granted,lighting is a problem too). I tried to remove the springs but those are pretty stuck / gummed up as well. Frustrating the hell out of me...
    Manning our FOB in occupied Northern Virginia...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SMITTYtheSMOKER
    SMITTYtheSMOKER Posts: 2,668
    The infamous "clean burn" takes down another.  Fire will win most battles, respect it.  Hopefully the inside looks good and it was worth the hassle.  Photo Egg is offering sound advice.  Good luck, you seem close to recovering and will be back in business soon.

     

    -SMITTY     

    from SANTA CLARA, CA

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,457
    Bryan,
    I sent you a PM last night - the notice from here may have gotten blocked by your spam cop. I need your help.
    Ron
    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Chelnerul
    Chelnerul Posts: 154
    All - thanks for the help. I am back in the favor of the gods, spatched two chickens on Saturday and a steelhead salmon on Sunday. It's a lonely feeling going into a weekend with shaky egg prospects...
    Manning our FOB in occupied Northern Virginia...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories