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Gasket in cold weather

SearSeeker
SearSeeker Posts: 7
edited November -0001 in EggHead Forum
I am getting ready for my first Wisconsin winter with my BGE. I have heard that the top and bottom portions of the BGE can freeze together and then the gasket can be ruined when the top is lifted. I've also heard that this can be prevented by placing a piece of cardboard between the top and bottom during storage. Any thoughts/experience? Any other tips to deal with this?
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Comments

  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
    I bought my egg in August '09 and my gasket didn't make til cold weather before it fried. Not sure it even made it til September! So I can't answer your question... exactly.

    However, I replaced it with a Rutland (in November I think). Cooked all last winter without a problem. It has never frozen or melted regardless of weather or cook temp. When you have to replace, consider a Rutland.

    When you do lose the gasket (and you will), you can still cook. Many here don't have one at all. (See, Hoss? I DO respect your opinion - even if I still want a gasket.) :) I like them for the cushioning if nothing else.

    I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

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  • Hoss
    Hoss Posts: 14,600
    :laugh: B) Love ya BRO! I understand the cushion idea.IF I ever do use another gasket...It will be a Rutland....and ONLY on the bottom.I respect your opinions too.Just like jostleing with ya! ;)
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  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
    Don't get carried away, bud. Just because I respect your opinion about the gasket doesn't mean you're right! :laugh: :laugh:

    I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

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  • WessB
    WessB Posts: 6,937
    Once you know your temps are gonna dip below freezing you need to get into the habit of always making sure when you're done with your current cook that you stir the ash and make sure there is lump in the egg..new or old...you can always slide a starter cube in the lower vent and in short order the frozen shut egg will open with no problem...trust me it "WILL" happen...dropping a starter cube in the top or better yet the bottom will cure all..worse case you can drop a drop light in the top vent which will be much slower but will eventually let you open the egg...much easier just to make sure there is always lump to light when you shut it down..
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  • Hoss
    Hoss Posts: 14,600
    :ohmy: :blink: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
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  • The Naked Whiz
    The Naked Whiz Posts: 7,777
    The problem is if the gasket gets any moisture into it. That will freeze the two gaskets together. I would think that a piece of cardboard would just absorb the moisture and become part of the problem. I'd use foil or wax paper, if you find it necessary, as they won't absorb the water.
    The Naked Whiz
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  • Ripnem
    Ripnem Posts: 5,511
    I still have yet to see this frozen egg phenomenon. :huh: I've had the gaskets fuze because of heat, but never from cold weather. and lets just say they have all seen some cold weather. 20 below or so :blink:
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  • The Naked Whiz
    The Naked Whiz Posts: 7,777
    I've had them freeze together a couple of times when we had rain followed by a freezing night. And from my experience, it takes more than "a couple of lighter cubes" to warm the Egg up enough to free them.
    The Naked Whiz
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  • apollo140140
    apollo140140 Posts: 74
    good to know. live in north dakota, so will be going through this shortly
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