So I picked up my Big Green Egg a few years ago and it was used. After using it for a few more years the lid just became heavier and heaver to lift and there was a lot of rusting around the bolts that I no longer cared to look at.
At this time, I was lucky enough to find an awesome deal on a BGE table. It only made sense to get rid of the nest and in doing so, replace the band and hinge on the Big Green Egg. This article and the video that correlates to it on my YouTube channel is for the Large Big Green Egg band assembly, part #117984. All the different size BGE bands install very similar to this one.
Since I’ve already replaced the gasket on the BGE, this pretty much wraps up all the maintenance and it performs and looks almost brand new. I couldn’t be more happy with how well the new BGE band assembly looks and even better yet, performs.
What Is Needed to Replace the Big Green Egg Band and Hinge?
- Large Big Green Egg Band Assembly, 117984
- Clamp
- 11 mm or 7/16″ wrench
- 13 mm or 1/2″ wrench
How to Remove the Old Big Green Egg Band and Hinge?
The first thing I recommend doing is using a “c” clamp to prevent the hinge from snapping open once the carrier bolts are loosened and removed from the band. This is a quick and easy safety step, not only for yourself, but for the Big Green Egg as well.
Once the “c” clamp is in place so it can’t whip open on you, it is now safe to remove the two carrier bolts nuts. These bolts are typically bent which is by design. The should require a 13 mm or 1/2″ wrench.
Once the nuts are off of the carrier bolts, let the rings hang. I find it easier to remove the dome prior to pulling the bands off.
Once the dome is off, just pull the old bands up and over the base of the BGE and the removal is complete.
Next, it is time to put the dome back on the Big Green Egg. Since my BGE was purchased used, I wasn’t sure how it was put together and come time find out, it wasn’t quite properly aligned. This is the perfect time to square up the dome of the BGE.
To do this, simply vertically align the two indentations on the top and bottom of the BGE’s dome and base.
How to Assemble & Install the New Big Green Egg Band & Hinge
The bottom band will require 12 bolts and 12 locking nuts. Each side will use 6 of each. At this point, there is also no tools required. Everything will be tightened by hand so it can be adjusted as needed once the new bands are on the Big Green Egg.
Starting out on the back left side of the bottom hinge you’ll need what is labeled part B in the box. This is the rear hinge that helps keep everything square. Place the two bolts through and finger tighten them. These are the holes closest to where the carriage bolts will go (where the band is not connected).
Heading to the left of the carriage bolt connection is two more holes. These two holes are for BGE’s part A. This is the hinge that will ultimately have the spring and carry the wait of the dome. Insert the two bolts and finger tighten the locking nuts down.
The next hole is a spacer hole. Nothing is attached here (unless you are installing it in a nest or something, then the spacer bolts are typically used depending the model of the nest system). Insert one screw and finger tighten the locking nut.
Now, there is one more spacer screw. It is about 1/4 of the way around the entire band, which is easily found by skipping 2 more holes. Insert the screw and finger tighten the locking nut.
Repeat this entire process on the other side of the bottom band, it should be a mirrored image. This will use up the remaining 6 bolts and locking nuts.
Next, grab the top band and place it on top of the bottom band. You’ll need another 12 bolts and 12 locking nuts for the upper assembly.
Start out mirroring the back hinge and inserting the two bolts through the top band and the rear hinge. Finger tighten the two locking nuts to the bolts.
The next three holes will be skipped. Then the front hinge that holds the spring can be attached with two more bolts and locking nuts. Again, finger tighten these.
The last step before repeating everything on the other side, is to install the handle. On the top band, the front four holes are for this. Install two bolts on one side and the other two on the other. Finger tighten the locking nuts here as well.
All 24 bolts and locking nuts should now be installed and finger tightened.
The next step is to actually install the Big Green Eggs new band assembly.
With the indents in the front aligned, as previously mentioned, separate the bands apart and place them around the Big Green Egg. The holes on the front of the hinges should also align.
To help hold it in place, it is easiest to put on the two carriage bolts followed by a washer and nut provided.
Now that the band is semi being held in place, before it is tightened down, the band spacers need to be installed. This is done by inserting them between the gasket and the dome (or both gaskets if you don’t have a Rutland gasket installed on just the bottom). This is position one.
This is position two.
This is position three, working back toward the front of the BGE.
Finally, position four on the opposite side of the BGE handle.
Now it is time to take the 13 mm or 1/2″ wrench and tighten the carriage bolts. In doing this, you’ll want to make sure the lid stays square on the base and that the hinges bands also remain touching all the way around on the four spacers.
The carriage bolts will bend as you tighten them. This is by design and they are supposed to. For my Large Big Green Egg, I found that a 1/2″ gap in the band was the perfect amount of compression.
Before opening the BGE to install the springs, there is one more very important step! All 24 of the other locking nuts there were finger tightened need to be actually tightened. This can be done with a 11 mm or 7/16″ wrench. Don’t skip this step! Your dome could come flying out of the hinge system when opening it for the first time.
Now that everything is tightened down, it should be safe to open the Big Green Egg up. It is recommend to hold onto the dome itself the first couple times to ensure you didn’t miss tightening up any locking nuts.
Finally, with the BGE’s lid open, hook the spring on the top and then the bottom part of the new bands hinge system. Repeat on the other side and you should be ready to get back to cooking!
Good Luck! Don’t be afraid to reach out with any questions.
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
--
If you want more backyard tips including recipes, how-tos and more, make sure you subscribe to my youtube channel