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Okay, I did it. Melted gasket shut. HELP!

Unknown
Unknown
edited November -0001 in EggHead Forum
So, I was giving a tour of the house and didn't realize that I left the top off the egg. When I got back, temp was pegged. I opened the top slightly and got a nice little flame. (I was "burping" it.)[p]So, I shut everything down, and now, the temp has dropped enough that the thing is stuck hard. I can't get it open. I'm worried about flashback should I force it open. The temp is now about 400 and I could get it back up in order to re-melt the gasket, but I've had a beer and a scotch and I'm not about to attempt it.[p]I have tomorrow off to take the cat to the vet. What is my scenario tomorrow? Drop a firelighter in and hope that I can re-melt open the gasket? Will I chip the ceramic if I force a painter's tool between and pry open?[p]HALP!
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Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    I should mention that looking through the chimney, I can see that the gasket has liquefied and "dripped" down on the inside.[p]This is not good.[p]I'm thinking I may head to the Home Depot tomorrow and buy a MAAP torch and try to warm up the gaps and work my painter's tool into the gap. Might that work?
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  • AZRP
    AZRP Posts: 10,116
    goop.jpg
    <p />ThinkandDrive,
    When I glued mine shut, I didn't have to look inside. The next morning I put some fire starters under the firebox grate and got the coals going, at about 450, the lid opened. I haven't done anything to it since, that was last January. -RP
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  • Unknown
    Unknown
    AZRP,[p]Jeepers! So you were able to "unstuck" yours and still use it for a year? Hope I fare as well. I have a butt in the fridge all rubbed and was ready to put it on tonight. Maybe i'll have to freeze it and attempt it at a later time.
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  • AlaskanC
    AlaskanC Posts: 1,346
    ThinkandDrive,[p]If it is still warm, open up the bottom vent, stick your toes in (please wear shoes) and then pull up really hard on the handle. It will come open.
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  • Unknown
    Unknown
    AlaskanC,[p]It should be around 200F now. Should I be concerned that trying that might split the gasket and tear it beyond hope?[p]I'm hoping to be able to pull off a low and slow tomorrow afternoon so I don't waste the butt i have in the fridge now.
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  • Celtic Wolf
    Celtic Wolf Posts: 9,773
    ThinkandDrive,[p] I am thinking it's too late for that gasket.. [p]If you aren't sober don't attempt what Melissa said. Now if you are sober you better do it while the gasket is still warm.[p].o0(wonder how she knows this will work?)[p].o0(hope his foot isn't big! )
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  • AlaskanC
    AlaskanC Posts: 1,346
    ThinkandDrive,[p]Oh it will definitely tear your gasket, but I can pretty much guaratee that it is toast anyway. I have been cooking on my egg going on two years with no gasket at all due to the exact same situation and it has been just fine. I even have a replacement that I haven't gotten around to putting on. :)[p]You can definitely re-warm it tomorrow and try to pry it open with a putty knife.[p]Good luck!
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  • AlaskanC
    AlaskanC Posts: 1,346
    I will NOT be locked out of anything. I will break windows/ doors/ gaskets - I don't care. Just don't tell me I can't come in.
    The egg only argued with me once, and I won. :)
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  • AZRP
    AZRP Posts: 10,116
    AlaskanC,
    That's funny, because sitting right in front of me on my workbench is a new in the bag BGE gasket. And it's been sitting there for over 2 years. I thought I would need it, but I'm too lazy to install it, and I don't need it. -RP
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  • AlaskanC
    AlaskanC Posts: 1,346
    Same here. I was in a panic when I burnt mine off, but it seemed to work just find without it.[p]I should put that new one on and see if I've been missing out on something! :)
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  • Unknown
    Unknown
    ThinkandDrive,[p]Okay, so a night and one-sobering-up later and it's still stuck. I was sort of hoping that it would all be just a bad dream. ;P[p]Thanks for all of your support, but I'm giving up. NOT![p]I'll head off to the local Lowes to pick up a torch kit. What I've determined is that there's "gunk" melted along the inside-front of the lid. So I'll try to direct the flames at it and soften it. Then chip, chip, chip, chip it away.[p]I figure if I can get it working by noon, I'll still be able to get the butt done. I'm a glutton for punishment. ;)
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  • Haggis
    Haggis Posts: 998
    ThinkandDrive,[p]I'd be careful with the MAPP torch idea - when you heat up ceramics in an uneven manner (e.g., concentrating heat in a small area with a torch) you might set up stresses that cause fracturing.
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  • tach18k
    tach18k Posts: 1,607
    ThinkandDrive,
    no, no, no mapp gas.
    Get a drywall knife, slowly insert it between the two gaskets, slowly slide it around the dome and base, it will break free, better replace a gasket then a base and dome from a accident with a torch.
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  • Celtic Wolf
    Celtic Wolf Posts: 9,773
    AlaskanC,[p]Note to Self: Don't lock door when Melissa is around.
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  • Unknown
    Unknown
    tach18k,[p]Yeah. I had second thoughts about the torch. Bought one anyway, since I told the wife I was going to. *winks*[p]I managed to get a really slim putty knife in a gap. Then used a rubber mallet to tep all the way around the rim. Came open like a champ![p]I scraped up and evened off the rim as best as I could, filled with new lump and fired it up (with the MAAP *winks*)[p]I don't know if this will work, but the butt is a goner anyhow if I don't try it. Remote Mav temp has me at 233. Here goes nothin'.
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