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Cracked base on XL

GaBGE
GaBGE Posts: 556
in EggHead Forum

Yesterday while cleaning out my XL I discovered a crack. This is second cracked base that I have had in about 5-6 years. Is this normal?

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EEDA8E90-F89A-4B0E-A463-D79D7EB0E1F0.jpeg


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Comments

  • JMCXL
    JMCXL Posts: 1,524

    Mine is 3 1/2 yrs old and replaced it once. I think it depends on your climate and types of cooks ( just my option )

    Northern New Jersey
     XL - Woo2, AR      L (2) - Woo, PS Woo     MM (2) - Woo       MINI

    Check out https://www.grillingwithpapaj.com for some fun and more Grilling with Papa (incase you haven't gotten enough of me)

    Also, check out my YouTube Page
    https://www.youtube.com/c/grillingwithpapaj

    Follow me on Facebook 
    https://www.facebook.com/GrillingPapaJ/

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  • Lit
    Lit Posts: 9,053

    They crack. Became More than I wanted to deal with so I looked at other options. Sucks though when it’s an XL it’s alot of work to take it apart and go get another base and then put everything’s back together.

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  • WeberWho
    WeberWho Posts: 11,527

    Seems to be a little more common with the XL

    "The pig is an amazing animal. You feed a pig an apple and it makes bacon. Let's see Michael Phelps do that" - Jim Gaffigan

    Minnesota
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  • DoubleEgger
    DoubleEgger Posts: 19,173

    I’ve had two replacement bases in 9 years on my XL. The larger eggs seem to be more prone to cracking.

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  • GoooDawgs
    GoooDawgs Posts: 1,060
    edited May 2019

    Yup - 4 bases on my XL in the last 3 years. Only major pain for me is replacing the Rutland, but at this rate I might as well just stick with the factory gaskets as they last as long as my bases! But thankfully I can just swing by the BGE HQ and get a new base whenever I need, so I have to give them credit for customer service even though the constant cracking is annoying.

    I'm hopeful the smokeware ash catcher thing will help this issue though. If I can get the hot embers from piling up and heating up the large surface area on the XL I assume that would help...

    Milton, GA 
    XL BGE & FB300
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  • DoubleEgger
    DoubleEgger Posts: 19,173
    https://eggheadforum.com/discussion/comment/2429664#Comment_2429664

    Ash is actually an insulator...

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  • GoooDawgs
    GoooDawgs Posts: 1,060

    Ahh well then I don't know what to do. I do think some barrier that could provide an air-gap between the coals falling through and the base could help, but I'm no expert. I just know my buddies with the red kamados seem to not have their bases crack as much as the green - I thought the steel ash catcher was the reason but I guess it's something else.

    Milton, GA 
    XL BGE & FB300
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  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 34,589

    leave an inch of ash in the bge bottom to protect the base, dont clean it out so often

    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • DoubleEgger
    DoubleEgger Posts: 19,173
    https://eggheadforum.com/discussion/comment/2429664#Comment_2429664

    That’s an usually high replacement number. Usually a crack comes from a manufacturing defect that creates a little air pocket or void. It can be very small. The other cause is excessive moisture inside the ceramics of the egg that expands as heated.

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  • GoooDawgs
    GoooDawgs Posts: 1,060

    I cook on it 4+ times a week. Lots of low and slows and then really hot pizzas. I'm guessing the pizzas are the culprit, but they're so good I can't stop. I don't want to switch to a Roccbox, but I may have to eventually.

    Milton, GA 
    XL BGE & FB300
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  • bgedrew
    bgedrew Posts: 6

    What does BGE require from you for a replacement? Proof of purchase from the dealer? Or do you have to register your egg or somehting? I've had an XL for two months. Sounds like I may be in for it.

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  • GaBGE
    GaBGE Posts: 556
    edited May 2019

    I just stopped by my dealer today and emailed him a couple of pictures. That’s all I had to do last time also.

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  • RalphieBoy
    RalphieBoy Posts: 134
    0A7731AE-B278-429D-9F86-675DD41E8CCB.jpeg
    EA13E99D-60E5-4B33-B697-D8398A146DEA.jpeg

    My dealer just submitted my claim last Friday. Mine is a large Egg that the bottom is 8 years old. The dome is about two years old. Seems my original dome was not secure and I raised it but it keep raising. Dropping more like it. It was a very emotional time. Terry at BGE in Tucker helped lighten my blow. I have no plans leaving BGE.

    Large, Small, Mini Max & Mini.
    Wishlist XXL, XL & Medium 
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  • GaBGE
    GaBGE Posts: 556

    Luckily I have a great dealer. I have had four total warranty claims now and it’s always been no questions asked once he sees the pictures.

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  • pescadorzih
    pescadorzih Posts: 926
    My XL is cracked also. This will be second bottom in 7yrs.
    SE PA
    XL, Lg, Mini max and OKJ offset
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  • hoosier_egger
    hoosier_egger Posts: 6,808
    GoooDawgs said:

    Yup - 4 bases on my XL in the last 3 years. Only major pain for me is replacing the Rutland, but at this rate I might as well just stick with the factory gaskets as they last as long as my bases! But thankfully I can just swing by the BGE HQ and get a new base whenever I need, so I have to give them credit for customer service even though the constant cracking is annoying.

    I'm hopeful the smokeware ash catcher thing will help this issue though. If I can get the hot embers from piling up and heating up the large surface area on the XL I assume that would help...

    Put the Rutland on the dome not the base
    ~ 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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  • newEGGlandah
    newEGGlandah Posts: 20
    More airflow under the base (I.e the nest designed for it), looks like that’s sitting directly on pavers which doesn’t allow for proper heat dissipation.  Compounded if you have an expanded air grate of some sort allowing larger coals to slip and sit directly on the base.
    Large&Mini BGEs:  HeaterMeter w/Roto Damper, Thermapen, ET-733, CI Woo&Spider
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  • ryantt
    ryantt Posts: 2,558
    @Lit what did you go with?   
    XL BGE, KJ classic, Joe Jr, UDS x2 


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  • littlerascal56
    littlerascal56 Posts: 2,110
    I plasma cut plenty of openings under my custom XL nest, so there is good air circulation.  No problems for 4 years so far!
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  • HeavyG
    HeavyG Posts: 10,380
    ryantt said:
    @Lit what did you go with?   
    He bought a Weber Summit Charcoal rig.
    “Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.” ― Philip K. Diçk




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  • bgebrent
    bgebrent Posts: 19,636
    HeavyG said:
    ryantt said:
    @Lit what did you go with?   
    He bought a Weber Summit Charcoal rig.
    And never looked back. 
    Sandy Springs & Dawsonville Ga
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  • GaBGE
    GaBGE Posts: 556

    @newEGGlandah you can’t tell from the pic but it is in a table nest. I do use a kick ash basket but it sits on top of the original fire grate.

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  • Lit
    Lit Posts: 9,053
    DoubleEgger said:
    Yup - 4 bases on my XL in the last 3 years. Only major pain for me is replacing the Rutland, but at this rate I might as well just stick with the factory gaskets as they last as long as my bases! But thankfully I can just swing by the BGE HQ and get a new base whenever I need, so I have to give them credit for customer service even though the constant cracking is annoying.<\/p>

    I&#039;m hopeful the smokeware ash catcher thing will help this issue though. If I can get the hot embers from piling up and heating up the large surface area on the XL I assume that would help...<\/p>"}}">https://eggheadforum.com/discussion/comment/2429664#Comment_2429664

    That’s an usually high replacement number. Usually a crack comes from a manufacturing defect that creates a little air pocket or void. It can be very small. The other cause is excessive moisture inside the ceramics of the egg that expands as heated.

    I was on 4 bases in the last 10 years or so. A xl, large, medium, and mini. They all crack but they make good planters.
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  • Lit
    Lit Posts: 9,053

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  • abpgwolf
    abpgwolf Posts: 564
    Lit said:
    DoubleEgger said:
    Yup - 4 bases on my XL in the last 3 years. Only major pain for me is replacing the Rutland, but at this rate I might as well just stick with the factory gaskets as they last as long as my bases! But thankfully I can just swing by the BGE HQ and get a new base whenever I need, so I have to give them credit for customer service even though the constant cracking is annoying.<\/p>

    I&#039;m hopeful the smokeware ash catcher thing will help this issue though. If I can get the hot embers from piling up and heating up the large surface area on the XL I assume that would help...<\/p>"}}">https://eggheadforum.com/discussion/comment/2429664#Comment_2429664

    That’s an usually high replacement number. Usually a crack comes from a manufacturing defect that creates a little air pocket or void. It can be very small. The other cause is excessive moisture inside the ceramics of the egg that expands as heated.

    I was on 4 bases in the last 10 years or so. A xl, large, medium, and mini. They all crack but they make good planters.
    On my 5th base in 7 years, I have never had any trouble getting them replaced, but replacing them is a hassle. 

    Lititz, PA – XL BGE

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