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!!!! ATTENTION !!!! XL owners.....
Mike in Abita
Posts: 3,302
I have made a very costly mistake with my XL and would like to share my experience with you. Hopefully you won't make the same mistake I did.
First set-up.... I placed my platesetter on top of the firebox and cooked some no knead bread. Once it was finished I removed the plate setter to sear some pork loins. I reloaded with lump to the top of fire box and installed my CI half grate for the sear. Thinking I could get a good sear bieng closer to the lump I did not install fire ring. Placed CI on top of fire box and wouldn't you know it it expanded. It expanded so much that it CRACKED the base. I could not remove it. It had wedged itself in so tight even wearing "Orkas" I could not budge it. I immediately closed the lid put on ceramic top and closed lower vent. I then went and got a "Wonder Bar". Carpenters should be familiar with the term. It is a flat bar used for prying and removing nails. I used it to pry the CI grate out of the XL only after the damage was done and temps were down to 300. My XL now has a crack in the base from the gasket to the lower vent. I don't think it will present much of a problem ( the band is holding it together) and I will replace it soon. Feel free to save the pictures and zoom in as much as necessary to see the crack.
Just remember to check the clearence of any metal item you put in the egg. It will expand.
Hopefully you won't learn the hard way like I did..... If you wan't to use the CI put it on top of the firering where it has more room to expand.
First set-up.... I placed my platesetter on top of the firebox and cooked some no knead bread. Once it was finished I removed the plate setter to sear some pork loins. I reloaded with lump to the top of fire box and installed my CI half grate for the sear. Thinking I could get a good sear bieng closer to the lump I did not install fire ring. Placed CI on top of fire box and wouldn't you know it it expanded. It expanded so much that it CRACKED the base. I could not remove it. It had wedged itself in so tight even wearing "Orkas" I could not budge it. I immediately closed the lid put on ceramic top and closed lower vent. I then went and got a "Wonder Bar". Carpenters should be familiar with the term. It is a flat bar used for prying and removing nails. I used it to pry the CI grate out of the XL only after the damage was done and temps were down to 300. My XL now has a crack in the base from the gasket to the lower vent. I don't think it will present much of a problem ( the band is holding it together) and I will replace it soon. Feel free to save the pictures and zoom in as much as necessary to see the crack.
Just remember to check the clearence of any metal item you put in the egg. It will expand.
Hopefully you won't learn the hard way like I did..... If you wan't to use the CI put it on top of the firering where it has more room to expand.
Comments
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Crap :( Sorry to see this, Mike. Any way you can patch or repair it?
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i am really sorry to see that, we feel your pain. i am bummed just looking at the pick.
thanks for sharing that.
bill -
It has since closed the gap after I got the CI out. I think I will be OK, Just won't do any more Nuke temps with it. Almost a blessing, I've had my eye on a MED since Eggtoberfest. Now I have a good reason to talk the financial manager into it. I'll keep the XL for lo & Slo.
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If one egger will remember it, and learn from my mistake. It will be worth it. Thanks for the kind words
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Mike,
That sucks! :pinch:
I hope it is something that can be fixed, or at least curbed from getting worse. Maybe an extra metal band around the base would keep it in check. Kind of like a wine barrel?
Good luck!
-Jill -
Crafty, verrrry crafty. The band should hold things together, stil...
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i saw a sampler pack of Abita beer at the distributer. i think i will run up there and buy it so i can help ease your pain. :huh:
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Fortunately it doesnt go past the lower vent. I think there was enough give in the vent opening to flex just enough to stop it from cracking all the way. The band should hold the top together.
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What flavors? I'm sucking down a few of these to ease my pain.
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Sorry, Mike. You gonna try to use it like that 'til you get a new base?
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Not sure.?.? I still have the pork loins on there now. Dome of 300 platesetter and drip pan. I'll see what happens and replace it soon.
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Sorry for your mishap Mike. Thanks for sharing the info. Hope it all works out for you. Check with your dealer. Mine sometimes has some arrive damaged in shipping but still buys at a reduced rate then strips them for parts. Maybe you could get a good deal on a new base.
Hope it works out for you
Pat -
i had to grind down the corners of my charbroil rectangular cast iron grate for the same reason, expansion.
hmmmmmm... does it say anywhere not to use that setup?
wonder if that's a warranty item. it's not like you dropped it or anything. -
One of my ceramic cookers has been cracked right across it's base for almost 4 years not, from the lower vent upper right hand corner to halfway around the back. I got it that way, and all the free replacement parts, but it still works so I'll continue to use it that way as long as i can. I have a brotha who picked up his large at in Waldorf maybe 4-5 years ago now. His dome was cracked right through, we noticed and brought the replacement back with us but as far as I know he's still running the cracked one..and until it brakes will continue to do so. I think you'll be fine.
StumpBaby -
probably won't need the bottom vent open so much for a given temp cause that crack will be suckin air, eh?
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Sound s like a good idea. Thanks
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Thanks for the info! Hope it will cook on for several years.
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Good point. Definetly worth a phone call.
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Thanks Stump. i just checked it agian. Crack almost invisable and pork loin at 130. Dome 350. So far so good.
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amber , harvest, turbodog, haze, golden, ipa,
that plus a case of victory Baltic Thunder is making this a very expensive egg tragedy.
they will be cold soon and i will help with your trauma.
bill -
Not a bad one in the batch IMHO. I don't like the IPA with ribs though.
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my heart goes out to you in this your hour of sorrow :ohmy:
what kind of gasket is that you got on there?happy eggin
TB
Anderson S.C.
"Life is too short to be diplomatic. A man's friends shouldn't mind what he does or says- and those who are not his friends, well, the hell with them. They don't count."
Tyrus Raymond Cobb
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You like that don'tcha. I learned from a very knowledgeable egger that there was a new gasket material called "Nomex". Bge was experimenting with, Yada, Yada, Yada. This egger convince me I had to try one, so I stopped in ATL on my way home one week and walla there she blows.
Appearantly no problems with the crack. Still cooking fine -
Sorry about the problem Mike. I would call John Creel at the mothership and ask him about what you should do.
Hammer -
tooo funny!!! :laugh: :woohoo: :silly:
glad to hear it is cooking fine. it sounds like from the other responses you might be ok!! i hope sohappy eggin
TB
Anderson S.C.
"Life is too short to be diplomatic. A man's friends shouldn't mind what he does or says- and those who are not his friends, well, the hell with them. They don't count."
Tyrus Raymond Cobb
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Thanks I'll give them a call tomorrow.
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Dang, that sucks. Welcome to the busted egg club. I too am a proud member of the club.
If you like email me. The last of my xl stuff should be here late next week. I'll hook you up with the pan holder and flip grid. It's not a base but should help ease the pain.
tomwww.ceramicgrillstore.com ACGP, Inc. -
Mike,
You have email.
Kent -
Mike - Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks Tom.
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