Tonight, I was grilling beef fajitas at about 650 degrees. My process is to cook with the lid closed, open to flip, close lid, open to flip and measure temperature, close lid, and open every minute or so to flip and check internal temp.

I was quite surprised this evening when I opened the lid for the 2nd flip, and the ceramic top half goes sailing into the lawn. Fortunately, the ceramic top half didn't break and the lawn didn't catch fire. Upon further inspection, the bolt that holds the steel ring tight around the ceramic and connects to the hinge hand backed its way out.

I finished cooking and ate as the lid cooled for about 20 minutes. Then, I grabbed my 900 degree bbq gloves and set the lid back on the base. Everything is back sealed up and I was able to smother the blazing hot charcoal (kind of worried about that).

The reason I'm sharing is to suggest everyone who owns a BGE, Primo, Kamodo Joe, or other ceramic kamodo to inspect their bolts for tightness. I'd hate to have someone have the same thing happen, but break their top half or start a fire.

I'm going to use this opportunity to change out the gasket between the top halves, and when I reattach the lid hinge I'm going to lock-tite the bolts.

quote:

when I reattach the lid hinge I'm going to lock-tite the bolts.

Heat breaks up loctite. Don't know if the part in question gets hot or not, but you may be better off with a mechanical means like lock washers.

Thanks for the heads-up. I recall my Kamado Joe manual recommending periodic checks of all bolts, but your story drives the point home. Haven’t checked them in a year, but I will now.

I recommend a high temp gasket, nomex I think. They last a lot longer, at least in my case.

I have heard of this happening, and the others weren’t so lucky. The lid landed on concrete or pavers. Always important to double check the torque of those fasteners every now and then.

I should re-torque mine.

Good thing it didn't land on your foot. Or the dog. Seriously, no joke.

quote:

Originally posted by tsmccull:
Thanks for the heads-up. I recall my Kamado Joe manual recommending periodic checks of all bolts, but your story drives the point home. Haven’t checked them in a year, but I will now.

Mine were last checked July '16.

quote:

Originally posted by Kuisis:
I recommend a high temp gasket, nomex I think. They last a lot longer, at least in my case.

I already had a gasket waiting for installation - it's a Gold Standard High Heat Gasket with Adhesive for Large Big Green Egg with Kevlar and Nomex.

I'll order another one once I install this one as I like to have a spare gasket on hand.

quote:

Originally posted by a1abdj:

quote:

when I reattach the lid hinge I'm going to lock-tite the bolts.

Heat breaks up loctite. Don't know if the part in question gets hot or not, but you may be better off with a mechanical means like lock washers.

Good suggestion. I don't have any high temperature (450F) lock-tite so I'll go the lock washer route.

Nyloc (sp?) nuts would be useless, but the steel (crushed top part of the nut) would probably be ideal if you could get them in the size and thread pitch you need.

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:

quote:

Originally posted by Kuisis:
I recommend a high temp gasket, nomex I think. They last a lot longer, at least in my case.

I already had a gasket waiting for installation - it's a Gold Standard High Heat Gasket with Adhesive for Large Big Green Egg with Kevlar and Nomex.

I'll order another one once I install this one as I like to have a spare gasket on hand.

Do you order that from BGE? Mine is two years old and perhaps I should replace the gasket. Thanks for the heads up to tighten the bolts.

quote:

Originally posted by FishOn:

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:

quote:

Originally posted by Kuisis:
I recommend a high temp gasket, nomex I think. They last a lot longer, at least in my case.

I already had a gasket waiting for installation - it's a Gold Standard High Heat Gasket with Adhesive for Large Big Green Egg with Kevlar and Nomex.

I'll order another one once I install this one as I like to have a spare gasket on hand.

Do you order that from BGE? Mine is two years old and perhaps I should replace the gasket. Thanks for the heads up to tighten the bolts.

Amazon .

While we are on the ceramic grill subject, has anyone had experience with the Vision Series sold at Sam's Club? Had my car there today and loaded up, but if I would have had my van, there would be one on my patio right now!!

Maybe get a longer bolt and double nut it?

Thanks for reminder! Sorry for way it happened.

BTW, I changed my bands and handle out yesterday to the new style. My egg is about 8 years old I believe, and I had the small wooden handle. The new bands are VERY nice, wish I would have changed a long time ago.

I have the large egg. The new bands don't open the egg as far, but, they make it easier to open and close, no more possibility of slamming closed. There are also tabs that prevent the top from coming out like yours did if it loosens. At least an early warning system. :-)

Also, one huge benefit. My base cracked last year. The new one would not line up with the top no matter what. Had an overbite... But, the new bands... allow it to line up easily.

Also, paperwork says to tighten all hardware, every 90 days..... I have never done that, but will now.

Bought from the Ceramic Grill Store. $133 ish I think.

CGS is an awesome store BTW.

Also, I have the gasket you bought, it does hold up very well, even with the overbite I had.

I did clean the heck out of the surfaces. Grinder and acetone if I remember right.

Then I sprayed adhesive on grill, and gasket even though it has adhesive already. Let sit till became tacky. Then applied.

Also, offset your gaskets so gaps on ends don't align.

This worked very well for me.

Good luck!

Yes I have had my current BGE for 8 years and cook on it about 3x a week. I have replaced the bolts one and am on my 3rd set of gaskets.

I've had mine 13 yrs and changed the gasket once. But I think I'm due to give it a once over.

Aside from the gasket, in 13 yrs the only thing I've had to replace was the fire grate (the thing at the bottom that holds the charcoal. $20)
I'm quite pleased.

I over heated mine and the gasket has now bonded the two halves together.

Any ideas?

quote:

Originally posted by Fenris:
I over heated mine and the gasket has now bonded the two halves together.

Any ideas?

I have heard of them freezing together, but not melting together.

If it were mine, I would carefully use a putty knife / scraper, and tap it in around the gasket line. Take your time and go slow.

Don't hit the ceramic, but the area between the lids.

Keep egg supported depending on what it is sitting in while you are tapping in scraper.

Good luck!