Band Adjustment Question

firstbase · October 2016

Have searched old threads for this issue and think I understand whats going on but want to confirm.. thorough cleaning of my Large BGE yesterday and when I went to close it the dome wouldn't close, about 1/2" opening and had an under bite. Somehow a band shifted when I was brushing and scraping as everything else seems fine. My questions are about band placement:

1) From reading in here I think that the bottom band should be placed so that the top of the band is even with the top of the base and not in the haunch lower down. Is that correct?

2) My plan is to keep BGE closed, loosen both bands, adjust bottom band as in #1, then tighten top band with it about 1/2 way up the space provided for the band.

3) I see the use of "red spacers" but my BGE came preassembled and I do not have these. What is the thickness of the spacers? Seems like these could be homemade but not sure of the measurement. If I had these then I wouldn't have to guess at the top band placement. I think.

Am I off base on any of this? Odd event as all of my nuts/bolts were tight but...shift happens I guess!

vb4677 · October 2016

Following this answer... same %^%$ thing with mine... preassembled, underbite, nothing seems to be working. I did however, email the mothership and ask for the red tabs, which they sent posthaste. 3 local dealers "never use them"...

OhioEgger · October 2016

I've never seen or even heard of "red spacers."
Also never had a problem with leakage until I installed a Rutland gasket (thanks, RRP!). After doing that, I found the front third of the lid leaked smoke (only about 1/16" gap, but enough to be annoying).

So, with the lid closed, I simply loosened the top band. Adjusted the dome to be perfectly flat against the bottom gasket, and re-tightened the top band. Problem solved.

firstbase · October 2016

I have tried adjusting both bands up and down to see if it makes a difference. It doesn't. Pictures I see of perfectly good BGEs show the bands in varying places. Also come across mentions of an indent or hole in the BGE that lines up with the bands but don't see that on mine.

Dome is closing now but it still needs to come forward about 1/4". Seems like that would be a hinge issue/adjustment but I don't see how there can be any adjustment in the hinge. I did find a video showing someone adding washers as spacers in between the hinge and the dome which pushes it forward the width of the spacer but...not sure about that fix. Just seems like I shouldn't need to do that as it has all matched up perfectly for three years. Now all of a sudden...??? Would like to know how tight the bolts in the hinge should be. Just on enough for the lock nuts to grip and allow rotation or should I tighten them all the way up?

CountryBoy · October 2016

I would keep the dome on the egg and loosen the bands so slightly that they will move but not too loose that the spring will cause them to fly open if they move too much. Or use the white plastic keepers to keep the bands in the closed position. Or wire ties or zip ties. Now line the bottom band up close to the edge of the gasket on the base. Keep it level as possible. Tighten the bottom band but not completely. Now move on to the top band. Loosen and get as parallel as possible to the lower band. While doing this you will want to put down pressure on the dome. Tighten band but not all the way yet. If you still have an underbite you can now loosen up the top hinge bolts. Place a large adjustable wrench in the center of the top of the hinge in the back. Lift it slightly to shove the dome forwards. Once you get it where you like it. Hold the dome down hard and tighten the nuts down on the hinge. Tighten down good but don't overtighten. Finish by torquing your bands down. Alternating bands and check to make sure they stay in the right position. Dollar bill test to confirm you have a good seal . If not try again until you are satisfied. It can be a "fun" battle but with practice you will get the hang of it. Check your band bolt tightness often and after high heat cooks sometimes they need a slight adjustment! Hope this helps some. It can be confusing. Others may chime in with better or more detailed advise. Some even open the dome and remove the springs prior to making adjustments. Just be careful!!

CountryBoy · October 2016

For go to mention the space between the bands. I've used the red spacers that came with my egg but usually end up better without them. The top band is just a hair above the gasket on the dome. Flat as you can get it. The distance between the bands at the hinge in the back should be obtained all the way around. If it's a little off that's fine as long as you have a good seal and the dome and base line up.

chappy319 · October 2016

Go to your dealer and ask for the spacers, they have plenty of them, they will give you them.

firstbase · October 2016

Thanks. I just loosened everything and realigned. Put the bottom band slightly under the gasket and then let the top band stay equal all around to where it is in the back by the hinge. Not a perfect fit, dome still slightly to the rear but pretty close and a lot better than it was. Only thing is that I let the hinge and bands move around from the center line so now the hinge is a little off center and it opens sort of cattywhompus. You guys are barbeque guys. You know what cattywhompus is I'm sure. Sort of southern for "ain't straight". So much for my attempt to NOT start another "How do I fix my dome under bite?" thread.......

RRP · October 2016

firstbase said:

Thanks. I just loosened everything and realigned. Put the bottom band slightly under the gasket and then let the top band stay equal all around to where it is in the back by the hinge. Not a perfect fit, dome still slightly to the rear but pretty close and a lot better than it was. Only thing is that I let the hinge and bands move around from the center line so now the hinge is a little off center and it opens sort of cattywhompus. You guys are barbeque guys. You know what cattywhompus is I'm sure. Sort of southern for "ain't straight". So much for my attempt to NOT start another "How do I fix my dome under bite?" thread.......

Just loosen the dome bolt and "un-cattywhompus" it.

firstbase · October 2016

Plan on doing something but have ribs on so un-cattywhompusification will have to wait.

Going to have to loosen both as I need to re-center the hinge as well. Of course that will most likely goof up what I fixed in the first place so back to square one probably. Still don't understand exactly what happened. Something slipped while I was scrapping and scrubbing the inside of the dome...I think....

firstbase · October 2016

CountryBoy said:

...It can be a "fun" battle but with practice you will get the hang of it.

Thanks for the step by step instructions Country. Awesome and very much appreciated! Man, I hope I don't have to practice it much though..

CountryBoy · October 2016

After a few tries, cuss words and re try again you will get the hang of it! I was a bit OCD about mine when I put it together in february but like everyone says it doesn't have to be perfect. It's a grill/smoker! Don't let the small stuff keep you from making killer food!

J-dubya · October 2016

The mothership will send you the spacers for free.

Band Adjustment Question

Comments

Categories