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Normal Wobble?

EasyBeinGreen
EasyBeinGreen Posts: 14
in EggHead Forum
Hi All! 

We just got our brand spankin' new large BGE.  I'm super excited to burn it in and get some low & slow going.  We bought it from Barbecues Galore here in Los Angeles, and they delivered/set it up while I was at work.  I went to light it up for the first time and noticed that with everything stacked (Fire box, fire ring, plate setter and grid) that the cooking surface has a considerable amount of wobble in it.  It's like a skyscraper teetering in an earthquake.

I sent some photos and a video to the dealer, and their response was "it will even out with some ash buildup."  Really?  For a grand total of $1500 out the door I am supposed to wait for the egg to become stable by means of what is basically jury rigging it?  

Anyone else have this experience? Here's a link to a video of the wobble action and some pics of the bottom surface of the fire box.  Both the fire box and the ring have a bit of movement to them when laid flat on a concrete surface.

Any guidance is greatly appreciated!  

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/dsr9ue65u6u6ace/AADZDlSUHSo3Gm2-fx2AoHnha

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Comments

  • bhedges1987
    bhedges1987 Posts: 3,201
    Yeah. Normal on my large, not much movement on my medium. Try to stack them in a way to minimize it. I have the fire box up to the front of the egg and the fire ring more towards the back 

    Kansas City, Missouri
    Large Egg
    Mini Egg

    "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us" - Gandalf


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  • Eggcelsior
    Eggcelsior Posts: 14,414
    I've never seen that. Put the fire box on a flat surface, I bet that is not flat on the bottom. There should not be an issue exchanging it.
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  • buzd504
    buzd504 Posts: 3,877
    edited June 2016
    I'd have to go wiggle mine to be sure, but that doesn't seem that unusual.  There has to be a gap between the interior and exterior ceramics to permit airflow and (I assume) some expansion and contraction.  Also, if they were flush, it would be very difficult to disassemble for cleaning or transport.

    It's possible that the base of your firebox is more uneven than most, but it's not too far beyond normal tolerance, IMO.  It shouldn't be a big deal to just try another firebox.
    NOLA
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  • bhedges1987
    bhedges1987 Posts: 3,201
    Little pieces of lump kind of got under mine as well and helped prevent that too. 

    Kansas City, Missouri
    Large Egg
    Mini Egg

    "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us" - Gandalf


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  • Skiddymarker
    Skiddymarker Posts: 8,528
    Welcome - enjoy!

    Question is, is it the firebox that is catawampus or is it the base? Regardless, it is a rough ceramic and your dealer is correct IMO. Get a little ash in there and then wiggle it a bit and it will tighten right up. Just make sure the air tunnel in the firebox lines up with the lower vent.
    If you are like some of the "cleanliness is next to Godliness" vacuum guys on here, you will have the same situation every time you clean what does not need to be cleaned. I suggest, like a wood stove, leave a little ash in the bottom all the time to insulate the ceramics, just rake and bake - or roast or grill or smoke....
    Delta B.C. - Whiskey and steak, because no good story ever started with someone having a salad!
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  • hoosier_egger
    hoosier_egger Posts: 6,808
    I have a little wobble in mine too. Maybe a 1/2'' of movement on the top side. Doesn't hinder performance or cooking in any way. I've thought about taking the grinder to the bottom of my firebox to level it out, but after using it for a while I've determined it's fine

    ~ John - Formerly known as ColtsFan  - https://www.instagram.com/hoosier_egger
    XL BGE, LG BGE, Med BGE, BGE Chiminea, Ardore Pizza Oven
    Bloomington, IN - Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoosiers!

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  • dougcrann
    dougcrann Posts: 1,129
    Try moving things around a bit...thing ain't nothing but fancy Mexican pottery.  It is not like it is a machined piece of steel. Very good chance that when it was formed in the molds something may have not been perfect. If it doesn't alter it's cooking ability doubt very much it is a warranty issue...
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  • dougcrann
    dougcrann Posts: 1,129
    ColtsFan said:
    I have a little wobble in mine too. Maybe a 1/2'' of movement on the top side. Doesn't hinder performance or cooking in any way. I've thought about taking the grinder to the bottom of my firebox to level it out, but after using it for a while I've determined it's fine

    Would probably void the warranty....if your dealer were to look at it for some odd reason 
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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,453
    dougcrann said:
    ColtsFan said:
    I have a little wobble in mine too. Maybe a 1/2'' of movement on the top side. Doesn't hinder performance or cooking in any way. I've thought about taking the grinder to the bottom of my firebox to level it out, but after using it for a while I've determined it's fine

    Would probably void the warranty....if your dealer were to look at it for some odd reason 
    rather than use a grinder if he doesn't have one any reasonably flat slab of concrete like a sidewalk, driveway or garage floor will work. Just set the piece down and turn it and turn it until the high spot goes away!

    BTW OP - from that picture you posted some of that wobble is also due to the way your grate is resting on the 3 legs of the PS. Note how one leg is practically coming out the open space.
    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
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  • northGAcock
    northGAcock Posts: 15,173
    First welcome aboard.....nice to have you. You already no we like pictures so great start. Not much help on your wiggle....but do no things tend to shake a bit out there sometimes on their own. You are in good hands here.
    Ellijay GA with a Medium & MiniMax

    Well, I married me a wife, she's been trouble all my life,
    Run me out in the cold rain and snow
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  • Jeepster47
    Jeepster47 Posts: 3,827
    My first egg was great ... the second had some wobble.  I used a one foot square piece of plywood with some 60 grit sandpaper glued to it to even out the high spots.  Took 15 or 20 minutes to eliminate the wobble.

    As others have said, a little wobble is not a problem.

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

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  • EasyBeinGreen
    EasyBeinGreen Posts: 14
    Thanks everyone for sharing their experience.  I guess I will just move forward and let things settle on their own, maybe re-seat the firebox after a bit of ash settles on the bottom.  RRP's suggestion of turning it on a concrete surface sounds interesting as well.  

    RRP: How should I be seating the grate properly?  So that none of the plate setter feet go through one of the two "handle" areas?
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  • EasyBeinGreen
    EasyBeinGreen Posts: 14
    Also, does it impact temperature stability if the firebox and ring are not centered?  I could see offsetting them as suggested by bhedges1987 so long as that doesn't interfere with normal operations.  

    Thanks everyone.  Really looking forward to checking this forum out.
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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,453
    EasyBeinGreen said:


    RRP: How should I be seating the grate properly?  So that none of the plate setter feet go through one of the two "handle" areas?
    Well - the grate has just two open spots and they are 180º apart. The PS has three legs and they are 120º apart center to center. Just turn the grate so neither of the two grate openings are over the legs.
    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
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  • EasyBeinGreen
    EasyBeinGreen Posts: 14
    RRP said:
    Well - the grate has just two open spots and they are 180º apart. The PS has three legs and they are 120º apart center to center. Just turn the grate so neither of the two grate openings are over the legs.
    Seems sensible enough!
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  • EasyBeinGreen
    EasyBeinGreen Posts: 14
    edited June 2016
    Hey guys just to update: my dealer at Barbecues Galore called me and got word from support at BGE that the wobble is indeed too far over expected tolerance, so they are sending me a new firebox free of charge.  I'm super impressed with this company already.  In the meantime, onto learning what the hell a turbo cook means...
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  • lousubcap
    lousubcap Posts: 36,768
    Good for you to get the right answer-wobble translates into not level and depending on what you are cooking that is just an aggravation you don't need. 
    BTW-welcome aboard and enjoy the journey.
    Louisville; Rolling smoke in the neighbourhood.  Life is too short for light/lite beer!  Seems I'm livin in a transitional period. CHEETO (aka Agent Orange) makes Nixon look like a saint.  
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  • Jstroke
    Jstroke Posts: 2,605
    Turbo cook--cooking meat above "typical" Bbq temperature. 350 is a good round number that I use a lot to speed cooks along. 
    Columbus, Ohio--A Gasser filled with Matchlight and an Ugly Drum.
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  • EasyBeinGreen
    EasyBeinGreen Posts: 14
    lousubcap said:
    Good for you to get the right answer-wobble translates into not level and depending on what you are cooking that is just an aggravation you don't need. 
    BTW-welcome aboard and enjoy the journey.
    Thanks man, really looking forward to it.
    Jstroke said:
    Turbo cook--cooking meat above "typical" Bbq temperature. 350 is a good round number that I use a lot to speed cooks along. 
    Nice, thanks Jstroke.  With a 3 year old running around, this is definitely a technique I need to learn up.
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  • dldawes1
    dldawes1 Posts: 2,208
    Welcome to the eggdiction !!!!!!...and I think your questions have been answered.

    Hang around often and post plenty of pics..all of the terminology and other memorable antics around here will become normal language and a way of life after a while !!!!

    Donnie Dawes - RNNL8 BBQ - Carrollton, KY  

    TWIN XLBGEs, 1-Beautiful wife, 1 XS Yorkie

    I'm keeping serious from now on...no more joking around from me...Meatheads !! 


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  • chadpsualum
    chadpsualum Posts: 409
    RRP said:
    dougcrann said:
    ColtsFan said:
    I have a little wobble in mine too. Maybe a 1/2'' of movement on the top side. Doesn't hinder performance or cooking in any way. I've thought about taking the grinder to the bottom of my firebox to level it out, but after using it for a while I've determined it's fine

    Would probably void the warranty....if your dealer were to look at it for some odd reason 
    rather than use a grinder if he doesn't have one any reasonably flat slab of concrete like a sidewalk, driveway or garage floor will work. Just set the piece down and turn it and turn it until the high spot goes away!

    BTW OP - from that picture you posted some of that wobble is also due to the way your grate is resting on the 3 legs of the PS. Note how one leg is practically coming out the open space.
    Exactly what I was going to say.  I actually would like a modification to the grate with one more piece of metal bisecting the opening.  Necessary...no.  But my OCD with straight lines doesn't bode well with rotating the grate (but somehow I manage to survive).
    North Pittsburgh, PA
    1 LGE
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  • shtgunal3
    shtgunal3 Posts: 6,134
    That much wobble would drive me crazy. I'm glad they are trying to remedy the issue for you.

    ___________________________________

     

     LBGE,SBGE, and a Mini makes three......Sweet home Alabama........ Stay thirsty my friends .

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  • northGAcock
    northGAcock Posts: 15,173
    EasyBeinGreen said:
    Hey guys just to update: my dealer at Barbecues Galore called me and got word from support at BGE that the wobble is indeed too far over expected tolerance, so they are sending me a new firebox free of charge.  I'm super impressed with this company already.  In the meantime, onto learning what the hell a turbo cook means...
    Wow.....and I thought you had gotten the special California model....designed to wobble and still stand up to the earthquakes. Seriously.....glad it was resolved.
    Ellijay GA with a Medium & MiniMax

    Well, I married me a wife, she's been trouble all my life,
    Run me out in the cold rain and snow
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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,453
    chadpsualum said:

    Exactly what I was going to say.  I actually would like a modification to the grate with one more piece of metal bisecting the opening.  Necessary...no.  But my OCD with straight lines doesn't bode well with rotating the grate (but somehow I manage to survive).
    If it really bothers you that much then just lift up your fire ring and turn it so the slots are say at 11:00, 3:00 and 7:00. That way with your PS in place then the legs will not be interfering with the gaps at 12:00 and 6:00. Granted if you wish then you can finesse it even more to satisfy your OCD side!
    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
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  • EasyBeinGreen
    EasyBeinGreen Posts: 14
    northGAcock said:
    Wow.....and I thought you had gotten the special California model....designed to wobble and still stand up to the earthquakes. Seriously.....glad it was resolved.
    Hahah.  Yeah we had to have a site survey technician come out and everything.  We call it the suspended yolk.  :) 

    Thanks again everyone for all the info.  I can tell this place is an awesome community and resource.
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