Gasket even necessary?

omba · February 2009

Folks,

Got an opinion on this?
I have read various posts from folks replacing gaskets (I'm one of them.) and others who "haven't had a gasket in years."
I don't mean to cause any hard feeleings, but I wonder ... is it necessary?

Later,
Peter

Mike in Abita · February 2009

It all boils down to your particular EGG. If it leaks too excessively it will be tough to maintain low temps. If it can do this, then you don't need a gasket.

Grandpas Grub · February 2009

Peter, you are going to get a lot of differing opinions on this one.

To be able to cook and cook well, not at all.

Does one burn more lump without the gasket, probably not.

Does the egg hold more stable temperatures with or without, IMO, probably not enough to make a difference.

If one controls the course temperature with the upper vent, thus leaving the lower vent more open than the reverse method then there could possibly be more of an issue here.

Closing the dome, the gasket helps in the possibly banging of ceramic surfaces.

With that said, BGE put a gasket on the egg and I want a gasket on my eggs.

my 2¢ worry

GG

egret · February 2009

Not necessary at all if you can hold a dome temp. of 250 or so. Mine is a almost completely gone and I have no problem whatsoever. BGE puts gaskets on because all eggs coming off the assembly line aren't blessed with a perfect surface, and, it does give you a little cushion if the dome comes down too hard, like in letting go when you have an unexpected flashback! :pinch:

omba · February 2009

GG,

"BGE put a gasket on the egg and I want a gasket on my eggs."
That has always been my thinking, but I was beginning to wonder.
I thought that I did such a perfect job installing my Rutland about one year ago, but it has begun to fall off.

Thanks for the reply,
Peter

omba · February 2009

Egret,

" ... and, it does give you a little cushion if the dome comes down too hard, like in letting go when you have an unexpected flashback!"

You just reminded me of at least a half dozen times when I needed that cushion!

Thanks,
Peter

Jupiter Jim · February 2009

Omba,
I toasted mine 3 years ago and have not replaced it.
I bought a Rutland right after the toasting of the first one and It is still on the work bench wating to be installed. After 3 years and 3 overnight Pork butt cooks I see no reason to replace. Like Egret said if you have a tight fit you should be fine.
Jupiter Jim

Salguod · February 2009

I cooked without a gasket a few times after my felt gasket came loose and before I installed the nomex gasket. It cooked just fine, but I never tried any "low and slow" cooks. It seemed to me that the egg took longer to shut down. Once it even gobbled all the remaining charcoal (a significant amount) after I "closed" it. So that could be an issue if you don't get a good seal without the gasket. Also, it just makes sense that you don't want heat leaking from the gasket area because this is going to decrease your dome temperature and you will burn more charcoal to compensate. So the cost would be in charcoal and also in drier food because of the increased airflow past the food. Moist food is one of the big benefits of the BGE in the first place.

steveo29 · February 2009

I would say it isn't necessary, but. Having the gasket lets you burn a little less charcoal IMO and...I think it works better when you're low and slow.

Gasket even necessary?

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