What Did I Do Wrong; BGE 1st Fire?

[Midnight Smoke]

Originally Posted by smokinbadger

I can definitely recommend the Rutland gasket replacement, as described on the Naked Whiz site. I did this several months back and have been very impressed with the quality of sealing I get as well as the durability so far.

Thanks, but I do not feel the gasket should be a issue with the cost of the EGG, this problem should have been resolved. I have heard of the Rutland, it may or may not be a problem but read the disclaimer at the top of the page. http://www.nakedwhiz.com/rutlandgasket/gasket.htm

With regard to keeping the fire from going out, this is one big advantage I see to the Stoker system. I normally light the lump in several locations with the mapp gas torch and run with the vent wide open and the top off. After 15 minutes or so, temps are up around 300-350. For low and slow, I swap in the Stoker blower and put the daisy wheel top on with the slots open. I have never had to touch the daisy wheel vents with the Stoker blower running, and the temps stay within a degree or two of the target. My longest burn so far in the egg was a test burn a couple of weeks back which ran 35 hours at 225F grill temp before I shut it down.

Down the road I may check into a stoker unit. For most of my needs I should be able to maintain a long fire once I get the learning curve out of the way.

After I get the new gaskets I am going to try starting the fire the way I do on my UDS, with modification. Trial and error.