BGE Rehab

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Dale in GA

Knows what a fatty is.
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This is the refurbished BGE I bought from the mother store here in ATL back in 1989. I used it for 11 years before my wife bought me a new ceramic unit. Once I got the new one, the old unit bounced around various relatives and friends. I did an intervention this week and got it back....Serious rehab is underway.
 

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I've got a claypot Kamado firebox that is in pieces waiting for me!

What all are you going to do with yours?
 
Good luck! I have done it with one and it was great. I still need to do it with a smaller one. Post pics when of the process and enjoy.
 
Rehab plan: 1) remove all metal bands, scrape off rust, & repaint; 2) replace lower damper with stainless steel damper; 3) clean cast iron daisy wheel damper with brass brush, oil lightly and wipe down; 4) remove and replace gasket; and 5) inspect and repair any cracks with retort cement. Will likely do a couple of test burns to make sure I've sealed all the cracks and leaks.

There are some cosmetic repairs: a) I'd like to paint/re-paint the exterior at some point but I am not sure what, if any, type of paint could be used. b) replace the wooden handle, etc.

I will try and post some before and after pictures.
 
You may want to talk to a pottery shop in your area to see if you could get them to re-glaze and fire the ceramic or even if that is an option. It's worth a shot to get back that pretty green glaze and heck, you could even pick your own color!
 
Dale in GA said:
There are some cosmetic repairs: a) I'd like to paint/re-paint the exterior at some point but I am not sure what, if any, type of paint could be used. b) replace the wooden handle, etc.
Click to expand...

I am sure Brian will chime in, as he is the king of Kamado rehab. I used normal spraypaint on mine. Used a plain black for the first two coats, then sprayed a dark red onto a wad of paper towels and "sponged" it onto the cooker for a textured look. I am happy with the finish and have had no problem with the paint fading or peeling. THe only issue i have had is my fault. After a cook, the smoke and condensation will drip a black liquid down the back of the lid when you open it during/after a cook. Wipe it off when still wet, much easier then than to wait untill after the liquid dries onto the textured surface. Other than that, it has been great. POst pics of the progress and finished cooker.
 
Smokin Turkey said:
You may want to talk to a pottery shop in your area to see if you could get them to re-glaze and fire the ceramic or even if that is an option. It's worth a shot to get back that pretty green glaze and heck, you could even pick your own color!
Click to expand...

i dont think they would do it, maybe im wrong. but a kiln is a couple thousand degrees, and all that wood smoke, grease and what ever else has built up on the walls over the past years would smoke like a mofo if not catch on fire... well maybe if it was professionally steam cleaned or something. my $0.02
 
Where you live so close to headquarters I would contact them and see if they would help.I bet they would love to see 20 year old egg refurbished also.
 
Not a hijack, but what do you guys do for general interior maintenance?

I'm tempted to take a pressure washer to mine. Exterior is fine, but over the last four years, the inside has gotten gunky with accumulated soot and grease. Every couple of months I do a full burn, which seems to help. Are there any other options?

Also, are there any good ATL area sources for refurb BGEs? TIA for any responses.
 
I would NOT preasure wash mine. Every now and then, if i have had a messy cook, I will open the vents up a little, and let the temp get up to around 300 or so for a while, this ussually ashes any drippings up enough to brish out the inside with a stiff bristled brush i use to clean out the inside.

Be careful doing a burnout. If you have a clay one, letting the temp get too high can cause it to crack. I have even had this happen with the firebox on one of my ceramic cookers.

As far as getting a kiln to fire it, I think a kiln would get to hot for the clay style of the old kamados. I may be wrong, just a guess.
 
Here is one of the recent rehabs, that is having some paint issues.
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61391&highlight=Imperial+Kamado+rehab

I've repainted it since using Rutland Furnace cement to fill some of the exterior cracks and the base coats of BBQ black paint don't adhere and the topcoat of engine paint flakes off. I had not had any problems using Hercules Furnace cement so I'm not going to use or recommend Rutland on anymore of my restorations.

Here is a link of my Imperial Kamado inspection-
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showpost.php?p=440744&postcount=1

Lodge trivets are @$10 and make great Kamado firebox grates!
 
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