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Fire bowl keeps cracking

gary2636
gary2636 Posts: 3
in EGG Table Forum
Has anyone had problems with your fire bowl cracking, or ring breaking in two. My wife and I have a large and a small egg for the past 7 years and have had to have them replaced 3 separate times. I do not know why this keeps happening and was wondering if I am not the only one...
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Comments

  • Cornholio
    Cornholio Posts: 1,048
    My fire bowl developed a crack last year after 8+ years of use so I got a warranty replacement that is still in the box. As long as it is not crumbling to absolute pieces then use it while cracked.

    Its not a matter of if ceramics will break but when. 
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  • gary2636
    gary2636 Posts: 3
    Thanks for the comments!
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  • hoosier_egger
    hoosier_egger Posts: 6,808
    One of my larges has had its fire bowl cracked in numerous places for years. I won't replace it until it crumbles when I pull it out. 
    ~ 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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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,449
    edited January 2020
    Same as the others said - there’s no reason to quit using a cracked fire ring nor fire box. My large was in 7 pieces and in spite of having a new one on hand I kept using it. 

    The rationale isn’t for bragging purposes, but what I think of as self-insurance against my dealer going out of business making a warranty replacement possibly more difficult. I have seen this happen in person with a friend of mine who purchased his egg elsewhere. Besides that some newer dealers don’t seem to believe any claims and expect pictures of your first born holding the sales receipt while cradled inside the pristine BGE!

    and lastly - I believe I am giving proper credit to @CarolinaQ who said there are only 2 types of ceramic fire boxes and fire rings...those which are cracked and those that are not yet cracked! 
    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
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  • pgprescott
    pgprescott Posts: 14,544
    If you are using the original fire grate, make sure it is right side up. The beveled edge should face downward to help avoid it getting wedged against the fire box as it expands. 
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  • pgprescott
    pgprescott Posts: 14,544
    RRP said:
    Same as the others said - there’s no reason to quit using a cracked fire ring nor fire box. My large was in 7 pieces and in spite of having a new one on hand I kept using it. 

    The rationale isn’t for bragging purposes, but what I think of as self-insurance against my dealer going out of business making a warranty replacement possibly more difficult. I have seen this happen in person with a friend of mine who purchased his egg elsewhere. Besides that some newer dealers don’t seem to believe any claims and expect pictures of your first born holding the sales receipt while cradled inside the pristine BGE!

    and lastly - I believe I am giving proper credit to @CarolinaQ who said there are only 2 types of ceramic fire boxes and fire rings...those which are cracked and those that are not yet cracked! 
    It’s not the dealers. They enforce their rules way more strictly than the “good ole days”
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  • milesvdustin
    milesvdustin Posts: 2,882
    My 10 year old large base cracked 4 years ago, I got a replacement expecting the worst but it keeps going. I have the new base in a box. I also have another large egg I bought but it's still in boxes, never assembled. Had plans then moved. Maybe this year I'll get my two egg grilling area 

    2 LBGE, Blackstone 36, Jumbo Joe

    Egging in Southern Illinois (Marion)

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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,449
    pgprescott said:
    RRP said:
    Same as the others said - there’s no reason to quit using a cracked fire ring nor fire box. My large was in 7 pieces and in spite of having a new one on hand I kept using it. 

    The rationale isn’t for bragging purposes, but what I think of as self-insurance against my dealer going out of business making a warranty replacement possibly more difficult. I have seen this happen in person with a friend of mine who purchased his egg elsewhere. Besides that some newer dealers don’t seem to believe any claims and expect pictures of your first born holding the sales receipt while cradled inside the pristine BGE!

    and lastly - I believe I am giving proper credit to @CarolinaQ who said there are only 2 types of ceramic fire boxes and fire rings...those which are cracked and those that are not yet cracked! 
    It’s not the dealers. They enforce their rules way more strictly than the “good ole days”
    I believe you, Pete! I was just sharing my observation in general of new dealers as told about here. Back when I bought my first eggs from Gerry here in P-town he built up an inventory of replacement parts subject to warranty. You would walk in with a cracked whatever and walk out with a replacement.

    Then after BGE changed management in Hotlanta that changed like a knee jerk! 

    Just the same I’m still happy I have what I have in my garage!


    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
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  • Bentgrass
    Bentgrass Posts: 443
    I have replaced both the fire box and fire ring several times. Figured it had something to do with cooking year round in the upper Midwest.  Obviously that’s not the case...
    1. Bettendorf, Ia with lots of time in Chattanooga, Tn.  LBGE, plate setter, ar, Looft lighter, maverick et-735, Rutland gasket, Smokeware SS cap, Kickash basket, and lots of cast iron.
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  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 34,541
    just replaced mine, it was in 30 or so pieces and still working but the pieces were starting to crumble in your hands.
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • Griffin
    Griffin Posts: 8,200
    The only original pieces of my Large is the dome, the fire ring and the daisy wheel. Everything else has been replaced at some point or another including the base, the bowl, the fire grate, the lid, the hinges and the thermometer (multiple times). It happens.

    Rowlett, Texas

    Griffin's Grub or you can find me on Facebook

    The Supreme Potentate, Sovereign Commander and Sultan of Wings

     

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  • The Cen-Tex Smoker
    The Cen-Tex Smoker Posts: 23,179
    Mine always crack within 6 months of getting a new one. I get a couple more years use out of them until they crumble. I have a crumbler firebox right now that’s only 2 years old though so time for a new one. If I claimed warranty for every ring and bowl that cracked as soon as they were eligible I bet I would have gone through 20 of each in the 14 or so years I have owned a bge. They work fine until they are are in several pieces so I have probably only gone through 4-5 boxes and 3-4 rings (the rings last longer after they get a single crack all thry way through- acts as an expansion joint).  I would assume there has to be a better way to manufacture these things but I’m sure bge Has a clear understanding of their costs. I’m good with it. 
    Keepin' It Weird in The ATX FBTX
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  • DoubleEgger
    DoubleEgger Posts: 19,131
    Why would you keep using broken parts if you have new parts on hand? What are you trying to save? If the new one breaks, they’ll replace it. Why not get benefitial use out of the warranted parts? Seems like all a person is doing is storing parts. 

    If you haven’t messed with filing a claim, I get that.
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  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 34,541
    DoubleEgger said:
    Why would you keep using broken parts if you have new parts on hand? What are you trying to save? If the new one breaks, they’ll replace it. Why not get benefitial use out of the warranted parts? Seems like all a person is doing is storing parts. 

    If you haven’t messed with filing a claim, I get that.
    i still have my original broken 20 something old firebox in the basement to go back in someday , still usable ;)  why rush things.  warranty claims up here are a hassle, last firebox took 10 weeks and 428 miles of driving

    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • alaskanassasin
    alaskanassasin Posts: 8,883
    DoubleEgger said:
    Why would you keep using broken parts if you have new parts on hand? What are you trying to save? If the new one breaks, they’ll replace it. Why not get benefitial use out of the warranted parts? Seems like all a person is doing is storing parts. 

    If you haven’t messed with filing a claim, I get that.

      That is a good question. Personally the claims process is a pain. If there was a online form and they mailed the parts to my house I would be more inclined. 
    South of Columbus, Ohio.


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  • unoriginalusername
    unoriginalusername Posts: 1,146
    Sure you might want one not cracked but there was no loss of performance or ability to cook while I waited for the warranty replacement to arrive.

    Fire rings for me aren't worth replacing as I've had ones crack on the initial cook after getting a new one so I don't bother anymore lol.  One in the shed if and when it becomes unusable.

    On 4 Eggs and 10 years I've only lost one firebox so not sure why thats happening so often.

    What charcoal are you using?  Are you doing pizza / high temp cooks only in a cold climate?  Do you use the stock charcoal grate or do you have something like the High-Que grate?
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