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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.

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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.

You can tell where both the dome (aka top half of BGE) and the variable vent sat in the lawn for about 20 minutes.

After I picked them both up, I ran the sprinklers 5 minutes plus the zone got its normal 0.5" of water at 5:30 AM.

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Avoid Backdrafts or Flashback
Once an EGG is lit, always carefully vent or “burp” it before opening the dome fully by cracking it slowly a few times about an inch or two first – this allows the incoming air to enter slowly and helps avoid a flashback. Use extra caution when opening a hot EGG with closed vents, as the sudden rush of air can cause a dangerous flare up. If you have a flame flare-up – quickly close the lid and the air vents to control the flame, and use extreme caution when re-opening your EGG. It is always advisable to wear heat resistant gloves, and to take care to protect yourself. DO NOT allow children to play near a hot EGG or to open the dome!