Upgrading LBGE

[STEbbq]

I am inclined to think some parts need to be updated. The BGE has a underbite (base sticking out from lid) and I am fairly certain I have the old bands. Though, it would be good to know how to confirm old versus new bands. The shelves are also in tough shape as the wood is falling apart and the screws are not great so the shelves are not staying in place.

I have a few options:

1) Loosen bands? Any good videos on this one?

2) Upgrade to new style bands?

3) Buy new wood and screw in new shelves?

4) Buy ready-made shelf kit? Which one?

I have a BGE dealer like 2 miles away so I am sure he is happy to sell me anything official by BGE.

I seem to remember Mosca dealt with the bands?

Thoughts? I will probably wait until it is warmer to work on this but happy to take suggestions.

[LA Pork Butt]

Aligning the dome with the base has never been easy from me. The bands eventually get to the place where you can no longer tighten them. I replace mine a couple of years ago. While alignment was easier I wouldn’t consider it easy. One nice thing about the new bands is that they are designed to help protect against a too loose band allowing your dome to go into free fall when you open the lid. I don’t have the shelves, but I would think that they would add to the difficulty of alignment.

I would be inclined to ditch the shelves whether you get a new bands or not, and get a stainless steel table on wheels which would allow you to position it wherever you want and probably provide you with more usable space. Some Big Green Egg dealers offer a service to replace bands and felts, but they are not cheap.

[Mosca]

My original bands eventually stopped aligning after about 10 years or so. I went through a few seasons of trying to fix the bite and wondering why I couldn’t. A couple years ago I called BGE and they said, “Yeah, it happens, switch to the new design.” $100, ouch!

The job itself is simple. Follow the instructions. It fixed the alignment, but with the new design the lid doesn’t open up as far.

Felt gasket replacement is dead simple: thoroughly remove the old gasket, glue on the new gasket. These days all the new gasket kits have the adhesive pre applied, just pull off the paper strip.

Regarding the shelves, I’ve always had a table. Eh. Most tables are either left handed or right handed, for BGE placement. I’ve used Eggs with shelves, and I like them. Wooden tables are nice, but I’ve only been able to keep mine looking good for about 3-5 years. If you switch, go with stainless. Pay once and be done with it.

[yakima]

I have an older model. Easy to determine by looking at a current model at dealer.
Fooling with bands is tricky. First, look at and consider replacing the seal tape on the lip. The primary issue is air leakage, not perfect lid alignment.
Re shelves, I would consider replacing with some sort of plastic product, weather resistant.
For mine, I picked up a homemade work table, cut a hole in it for the egg, and support it on a concrete block placed on lower shelf.

[STEbbq]

Thanks Mosca and LA Pork Butt .

It sounds like the new bands are recommended. I did install the lid by myself as we removed it from the Egg when I picked it up from Meathead. It was a struggle but I eventually got it on and aligned. We only removed 2 or 3 screws from the hinge and didn’t touch the springs. yakima I do not think much air is leaking now but it won’t be much longer until it won’t be sealed fully. The edge of the lid is not touching the gasket so it is fully exposed at this point.

For the shelves, I did find these :

https://a.co/d/bsL0JOz

Thoughts?

I cook at the end of the driveway so room for a table in the garage is unlikely. I do have a rolling 3-shelf unit which is great but I’d just need to clean off the top shelf if I want to use it for an actual shelf for sheet pans. It is like this one.

https://a.co/d/9rTw7Gq

I replaced the gasket already and that was an easy job when I picked it up from Meathead.

[Huskee]

Well, they're working and adding our affiliate link, so all's well I guess! Side note I can't believe those 3-shelf carts are so darned expensive.

[STEbbq]

This is the one I actually have Huskee . It is indestructible after 4 years of use so worth it.

https://a.co/d/50Orm82

[Huskee]

That's much better than $170! The hospital maintenance dept was trashing a light grey version of one of those once maybe 10 yrs ago, due to a broken caster, or maybe 2. I snagged it from in front of the dumpster and fixed the wheel(s) so I too have one for the cost of a replacement caster. I too love it. You're right, they are indestructible and weatherproof. Odd that the *maintenance dept* didn't just fix it, but win for me.

[STEbbq]

Band kit right? Mosca

https://biggreenegg.com/products/large-band-assembly-kit

[Mosca]

That’s it. Wow, the price went up! I’m not sure this is a genuine BGE part, but if it is you pay $60 less.

LBGE Hinge Assembly

[STEbbq]

This one is missing the actual band and the handle though. I could care less about the handle (see oost below for rubber one) but wondering about the band.

[STEbbq]

BGE also sells a nice rubber handle now. My handle is falling off. I cannot find anything else similar online

https://biggreenegg.com/collections/replacement-parts/products/handle-soft-grip

[STEbbq]

And found this too.

https://a.co/d/iHugR9Z

[STEbbq]

Well, GrillReplacmentparts confirmed the band is not included which is essentially the $60 difference from the BGE kit. I don’t understand how the cheaper kit can work if I am using the original band which is presumably causing the issue.

I guess I am at $395 plus tax on parts now.

$190 BGE band kit
$160 on SS shelves. I haven’t seen anything cheaper that can withstand heat.
$35 for rubber handle
$10 for SS mesh replacement

Decisions, Decisions.

[Spinaker]

You can get a cheap wood handle on amazon, that will last years. (I am at 7 on my wooden handle)

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=bge+wood+handle&adgrpid=190243809030&hvadid=779657750285&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9019572&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=16048890460876197726--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=16048890460876197726&hvtargid=aud-2480173600071%3Akwd-2471646649393&hydadcr=5820_13512754_2319617&mcid=0a004cd6c3793c24adeed67d7fdba5fa&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_57mbsatt46_e

[Spinaker]

Are you having severe leaks during your cooks? If not, I would not worry about replacing the bands. One of my BGEs has an underbite, and I do not notice any problems. I do make sure I have a good gasket, but other than that, no issues.

Also, Instead of the shelves, maybe consider something like this. Tables are much more stable and offer a better cooking experience overall. I get the need for the nest and folding side shelves though, if you are tight on space.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHVKQTGT/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?pd_rd_i=B0FHVKQTGT&pd_rd_w=frTPn&content-id=amzn1.sym.30062d3d-2c31-47f3-af26-55177a669bb5&pf_rd_p=30062d3d-2c31-47f3-af26-55177a669bb5&pf_rd_r=WFSQAXQD8CGWBDST1VZM&pd_rd_wg=teZfp&pd_rd_r=94820ef3-8a1d-49e5-a975-f9a05dd26afe&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1

[Mosca]

Tables are pretty nice to have. They’re all I’ve ever used. I’ve always bought the wooden ones, but no matter how diligent you are with caring for the urethane, they still get weathered and wind up looking pretty bad. Get the metal.

[Spinaker]

Yeah, my teak table bit the dust a few years ago after years of service. I am currently using the nest, but I want to build a new table that has my BGE, Big Joe, and my Joe Jr. in one rig........now that is gonna be sweet. Gotta move first, cause that baby is gonna be heavy. Mosca

[STEbbq]

I dragged out the BGE today and took another close look. Lid seems to have at least an inch or overlap so decided to skip band for now. I made some “new” shelves using my mobile BBQ shelving unit and placing some sheet pans on the top shelf.

The local BGE dealer doesn’t have the rubber handle in stock and sounded like an AI agent so I guess if they don’t care to help me I can’t be bothered to drive down to see if they have it in stock.

The wooden handle is still falling off but shelves still work. The handle is just wont hold the screw anymore. The mesh screen thing just bugs me with its flimsiness.

I ordered a simple wooden handle and screen cover for $30 shipped off Amazon. A lot better than $400 so happy with this outcome.

[STEbbq]

New handle and screen went on in 5 minutes. The old mesh screen had burned through in multiple places but was hidden by one of the struts. Good deal to replace!