Pulled out my fire box and noticed it was basically disintegrating. It’s ~5 years old, is this the standard lifespan for these things? Just bought a new one for $150!
by parallax1
6 Comments
Infinite-Homework757
They are junk. Get a kick ash basket instead.
lostmojo
Yes. Heat breaks down the steel, ash is very acidic, and it causes it to rust and eventually rust to pieces. Not much can be done to prevent it. Thicker steel lasts longer, I believe aluminum and tin is avoided because it off gases at high temps and will contaminate food. I could be wrong about those.
Tarnationman
Is this some kind of accessory? Every BGE I’ve ever seen has a ceramic firebox, the only metal down there is the cast iron fire grate. If that’s just thin sheet steel, then it wouldn’t surprise me at all if it was doing that. Fire tends to do that to thin sheet steel. Some googling suggests that is maybe a fire bowl, which BGE does sell. I’ve never needed such a thing, I don’t find stirring my coals to be that much of a chore. I might suggest the kick ash basket as that is at least made from fairly thick stainless bar stock.
parallax1
Fire bowl not box, sorry can’t edit the original post.
Chuck-fan-33
My BGE Fire Bowl is still solid but my Kick Ash Can ended up disintegrated in my hand after a couple years. At some point I know I will have to replace the Fire Bowl.
6 Comments
They are junk. Get a kick ash basket instead.
Yes. Heat breaks down the steel, ash is very acidic, and it causes it to rust and eventually rust to pieces. Not much can be done to prevent it. Thicker steel lasts longer, I believe aluminum and tin is avoided because it off gases at high temps and will contaminate food. I could be wrong about those.
Is this some kind of accessory? Every BGE I’ve ever seen has a ceramic firebox, the only metal down there is the cast iron fire grate. If that’s just thin sheet steel, then it wouldn’t surprise me at all if it was doing that. Fire tends to do that to thin sheet steel. Some googling suggests that is maybe a fire bowl, which BGE does sell. I’ve never needed such a thing, I don’t find stirring my coals to be that much of a chore. I might suggest the kick ash basket as that is at least made from fairly thick stainless bar stock.
Fire bowl not box, sorry can’t edit the original post.
My BGE Fire Bowl is still solid but my Kick Ash Can ended up disintegrated in my hand after a couple years. At some point I know I will have to replace the Fire Bowl.
With high heat yes