Big Green Egg-What to do in the cold?????

[homebrewbbq]

About to pick up my brothers BGE that he never uses so i figure i would "borrow" it for a while. But my question is especially when its cold what do i need to do to make sure i dont crack it while heating up. Do you slowly add lump and gradually build up the temp? I'm guessing if you get it too hot too fast it will crack. I appreciate the help!!

[egghead]

There are no problems with cracking during cold weather. Grip it an rip it.

I have seen many eggheads blowing and going with snow, ice etc. and they don't have any problems -

Suggestion during real cold periods - place some parchment paper between the dome and base and under the rain cap just so it doesn't freeze shut and you can open easily then fire it up.

If for some reason it does freeze shut, drop a fire starter or wad some paper up and put it through the bottom vent to warm it up in order to open.

Dats has a lot of eggsperience with cold weather ceramic cooking - he may have a few other suggestions

[CJATE]

Suggestion during real cold periods - place some parchment paper between the dome and base and under the rain cap just so it doesn't freeze shut and you can open easily then fire it up.

i never thought of that, I've run mine in snow and rain, but never temps like we are having now.

I figure it heats up so slowly that it's not like pouring boiling water into a frozen glass.

sure beats the heck out of my offset when it's cold and wet,

[homebrewbbq]

Sounds good. Hopefully Dats will post something but from what i have heard you are saying the same thing. Should be fine. Thanks

[DATsBBQ]

Einstein's been parchment paper equipped since November. The Primo's top vent cap is bolted in so its a fixture and can't be removed. I leave the vent slightly ajar so in cold weather it will open up. I had the Mrs make a Cossack style hat for him, so no worries about snow/rain getting inside.

As for lighting it up, I fill the fire box with the desired amount of lump then remove 5 -8 chunks and use an inverted chimney to light the lump. Once lit, just put on top of the lump from whence it came. 15 minutes later and you're up to temp.

I used Einstein is all kinds of weather. The freak snow storm that dumped 5" of snow out of nowhere in less than 5 hours was the wildest. If you can get it lit, you can cook on it.

[DATsBBQ]

About to pick up my brothers BGE that he never uses so i figure i would "borrow" it for a while. 8) But my question is especially when its cold what do i need to do to make sure i dont crack it while heating up. Do you slowly add lump and gradually build up the temp? I'm guessing if you get it too hot too fast it will crack. I appreciate the help!!

In case your bro doesn't tell you, never ever use lighter fluid inside the egg to light the lump. Speaking of lump, use only lump and not regular charcoal -its and ash build up thing.

Enjoy the egg.

[homebrewbbq]

Appreciate it DATs.. great info and exactly what i was looking for.