Tighten the hinge band that connects the upper ceramic dome and the lower ceramic cook chamber. It only takes 2 minutes and it could save you hundreds of dollars.


I repatriated from Can-eh-duh back to the USA in 2016 and the movers disassembled and reassembled my large BGE (~18" diameter). I cooked with it often for about 24 months and then encountered the biggest grilling surprise of my life. One Saturday, I opened the lid to the BGE and it flew off into my lawn. See 18" burnt spot in lawn and the smaller vent burnt spot:


I got lucky in that it landed in the lawn and not the edge of the concrete & tile patio. Once it cooled down, I was able to determine nothing was cracked and reassembled. I decided to Google the replacement cost of a BGE dome and it was ~80% the cost of a new BGE. Now, every spring I tighten the band to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Thanks for the reminder.

Just a friendly suggestion... I had the old style you currently have on your egg. I bought the new style and am very pleased with it.

It doesn't open as much, but is so much lighter, and easier to open and close.

It also comes with adjustment spacers that make alignment so easy.

Glad nothing was damaged in your event this weekend!

I took mine apart when I moved. Never again. One needs a PhD in mechanical engineering to figure that hinge out and how to get it adjusted right so the lid fits properly.

Snugging down the nuts from time to time seems like a good practice though.

I have a cousin whose BGE blew over in a windstorm right off his deck onto a concrete walkway...shattered. OUCH

I had a burn mark just like that in my yard. My stone and brick is different, but that could have been it almost.

Same thing - they just loosen up over time!

4 responses so far an nobody has said, "check your nuts." Look at us all grown up and mature

quote:

Originally posted by Dreamerx4:
Just a friendly suggestion... I had the old style you currently have on your egg. I bought the new style and am very pleased with it.

It doesn't open as much, but is so much lighter, and easier to open and close.

It also comes with adjustment spacers that make alignment so easy.

Thanks. I checked and BGE's site wants $180 for the new style hinges. Did you find a better price? If so, where?

quote:

Originally posted by Dreamerx4:
Glad nothing was damaged in your event this weekend!

Happened in 2018. I tightened this morning and decided to post as it's been a few years since I posted.

I ordered them from the ceramic grill store... I "think" it was closer to 132-40... been a couple years.

Thx. $160 now and no returns.

Looking at the bolts, there is a lot of extra room. One could easily install jam nuts to prevent the nuts backing off. I wonder though, if they are loosening from the nuts backing off or if the bolts are stretching from the heat? I guess one could throw jam nuts on, then check periodically and see if it loosens anyway,

Add checking the nuts on the nest. Mine would work loose all the time.

I’ve since replaced it with a much heavier duty one

quote:

Originally posted by slosig:
Looking at the bolts, there is a lot of extra room. One could easily install jam nuts to prevent the nuts backing off. I wonder though, if they are loosening from the nuts backing off or if the bolts are stretching from the heat? I guess one could throw jam nuts on, then check periodically and see if it loosens anyway,

I think the whole thing adjusts from heating/cooling. I have mine in a "nest" and the bottom air vent moves over time in the nest. Every other yr I have to get help to pick the egg up/out and re-nest it.
Otherwise I can't open the bottom air vent all the way.

I too replaced mine with the new style hinge. Opening is much easier but if you are applying sauce it’s a small pita. First world problem.