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Temperature under Egg?

Has anyone measured the temperature of the material (i.e. wood table or other material) under your egg when there is an air gap? Not looking for when the egg is actually sitting directly on wood, tile, or paver, but when there is an air gap between.

Comments

  • Toxarch
    Toxarch Posts: 1,900
    I have... but I forget what the readings were. My table nest is on porcelain tiles, which are on square steel tubing, which rest on a wood frame and open to the drawer below. Next time I have the Large fired up, I'll measure it. Lately I've been cooking on the Junior.
    Aledo, Texas
    Large BGE
    KJ Jr.

    Exodus 12:9 KJV
    Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.

  • Toxarch said:
    I have... but I forget what the readings were. My table nest is on porcelain tiles, which are on square steel tubing, which rest on a wood frame and open to the drawer below. Next time I have the Large fired up, I'll measure it. Lately I've been cooking on the Junior.
    Thanks, do you remember if it was high enough temperature that you would burn your hand if you touched the tiles?
  • jtcBoynton
    jtcBoynton Posts: 2,814
    Also keep in mind that the temp will be influenced by the size of the fire, whether you are using a stock fire grate or an after market open style grate, and the amount of ash in the ash pit.
    Southeast Florida - LBGE
    In cooking, often we implement steps for which we have no explanations other than ‘that’s what everybody else does’ or ‘that’s what I have been told.’  Dare to think for yourself.
     
  • Toxarch
    Toxarch Posts: 1,900
    Like mentioned, there's a lot of factors to consider. Temp of the fire inside, is the original fire grate used (I use a KAB), is there ash in the bottom already, is there a breeze, is there plenty of room for a draft around the egg, etc. If I left my hand there, I am pretty sure it would burn the hand. As for a temporary touch, it is not a problem.
    I have noticed my KJ Jr. puts out a lot of radiant heat from the bottom. Seems like more heat than the Large, but I am also closer to it and it site on top of my table so maybe I notice it more. Luckily it has a tall stand so there isn't anything too close to it. But it still heats up the table and any metal tools nearby.
    Aledo, Texas
    Large BGE
    KJ Jr.

    Exodus 12:9 KJV
    Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.

  • Toxarch said:
    Like mentioned, there's a lot of factors to consider. Temp of the fire inside, is the original fire grate used (I use a KAB), is there ash in the bottom already, is there a breeze, is there plenty of room for a draft around the egg, etc. If I left my hand there, I am pretty sure it would burn the hand. As for a temporary touch, it is not a problem.
    I have noticed my KJ Jr. puts out a lot of radiant heat from the bottom. Seems like more heat than the Large, but I am also closer to it and it site on top of my table so maybe I notice it more. Luckily it has a tall stand so there isn't anything too close to it. But it still heats up the table and any metal tools nearby.
    Thanks, the reason I ask is that I am planning to put the Egg on either ceramic feet or the table nest. The nest or ceramic feet will sit on a thick stainless steel sheet (similar to a stainless steel table). I am just concerned how hot the stainless steel would if I accidentally touch the steel. I wouldn't put my hand directly under the bottom of the grill on the steel, but just wondering if it will cause the entire steel plate to get hot.
  • EggMcMic
    EggMcMic Posts: 340
    I read this thread yesterday and happened to remember it last night when I was cooking. I used my instant read under the following conditions...
    Large egg on table nest on ceramic tile.
    Egg had a fair amount of ash in the bottom (haven't cleaned it in a while).
    Egg cooking at ~350 degrees.
    Air temperature ~81 degrees.
    My thermometer read 87 degrees in the air gap. I didn't put it onto the ceramic to see if it was hotter, but I had my hand on it with no issues.
    EggMcMcc
    Central Illinois
    First L BGE July 2016, RecTec, Traeger, Weber, Campchef
    Second BGE, a MMX, February 2017
    Third BGE, another large, May, 2017
    Added another griddle (BassPro) December 2017
  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 34,635
    ive had a wooden table catch fire under the egg while sitting on the ceramic feet
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
    ive had a wooden table catch fire under the egg while sitting on the ceramic feet
    That would be this one if I'm not mistaken. =)

    I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 34,635
    ive had a wooden table catch fire under the egg while sitting on the ceramic feet
    That would be this one if I'm not mistaken. =)

    yep, you can see where the 3 feet were, that table was 2 inches thick
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
    I save pics like these and post 'em as PSA warnings when it seems appropriate. Pretty pointless, I guess. We still see eggs on wooden decks, in wooden tables, near window and doors, without any air gap at all, etc. Sigh...

    I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

  • Genesis
    Genesis Posts: 16
    I built a cedar table for a new XL this year and started with just a table nest.  I found that under 400 degrees the table was warm but touchable.  Doing higher temp cooks, 500 degrees and up, made the wood under the nest too hot to touch without burning my hand.  I have since added a paver stone under the nest for added protection.
  • Thanks all. My table will not actually be made from wood. Will be steel studs and cement board.
  • HeavyG
    HeavyG Posts: 10,380
    ive had a wooden table catch fire under the egg while sitting on the ceramic feet
    That would be this one if I'm not mistaken. =)

    yep, you can see where the 3 feet were, that table was 2 inches thick
    What's the air gap with the official BGE table nest - anybody know?
    “Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.” ― Philip K. Diçk




  • etherdome
    etherdome Posts: 471
    edited August 2017
    2-3 inches 
    Upstate SC
    Large BGE,  Blackstone, Weber genesis , Weber charcoal classic
  • jtcBoynton
    jtcBoynton Posts: 2,814
    2"

    Southeast Florida - LBGE
    In cooking, often we implement steps for which we have no explanations other than ‘that’s what everybody else does’ or ‘that’s what I have been told.’  Dare to think for yourself.
     
  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 34,635
    Thanks all. My table will not actually be made from wood. Will be steel studs and cement board.
    just for info, the heat may be fine for years then one day a hairline crack develops on the bottom of the base and the heat drastically changes. ive had two bases crack over the years, both during low and slows, sounds like a shotgun blast. dont think there will be a problem with cement board and the table nest though. no airgap and the cement board may crack over time
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
  • Thanks all. My table will not actually be made from wood. Will be steel studs and cement board.
    just for info, the heat may be fine for years then one day a hairline crack develops on the bottom of the base and the heat drastically changes. ive had two bases crack over the years, both during low and slows, sounds like a shotgun blast. dont think there will be a problem with cement board and the table nest though. no airgap and the cement board may crack over time
    I am planning to put a 12 gauge stainless steel sheet on top of the cement board and then set the Egg on top of that (with an air gap).

    I have both the ceramic feet and the table nest. Optimally I want to use the ceramic feet because I don't want the Egg to be raised even higher with the Nest, but am not sure if the ceramic feet will be sufficient so that the stainless steel shelf doesn't get too hot.
  • jtcBoynton
    jtcBoynton Posts: 2,814
    3/4" versus 2".  The nest will provide significantly more of a thermal break.  Its just a matter of your risk comfort level.
    Southeast Florida - LBGE
    In cooking, often we implement steps for which we have no explanations other than ‘that’s what everybody else does’ or ‘that’s what I have been told.’  Dare to think for yourself.
     
  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 34,635
    Thanks all. My table will not actually be made from wood. Will be steel studs and cement board.
    just for info, the heat may be fine for years then one day a hairline crack develops on the bottom of the base and the heat drastically changes. ive had two bases crack over the years, both during low and slows, sounds like a shotgun blast. dont think there will be a problem with cement board and the table nest though. no airgap and the cement board may crack over time
    I am planning to put a 12 gauge stainless steel sheet on top of the cement board and then set the Egg on top of that (with an air gap).

    I have both the ceramic feet and the table nest. Optimally I want to use the ceramic feet because I don't want the Egg to be raised even higher with the Nest, but am not sure if the ceramic feet will be sufficient so that the stainless steel shelf doesn't get too hot.
    my egg sits directly on a 3/16 inch thick ss plate on the ground, no air gap, never burnt myself but i dont slide the vent once the egg is hot with my hands
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
  • etherdome
    etherdome Posts: 471

    This was taken after egg was at 350 for a solid hour. It varird according to wind etc but the range was 110-120.
    Upstate SC
    Large BGE,  Blackstone, Weber genesis , Weber charcoal classic
  • etherdome
    etherdome Posts: 471
    edited August 2017

    This photo addresses a previous question on this thread. Just over 2 inches .
    Upstate SC
    Large BGE,  Blackstone, Weber genesis , Weber charcoal classic