The hinges on your Green Egg are going to get a lot of use. You’re going to open it every time you need to cook and every time you want to store it. So, make sure they’re built to take the punishment. The hinges on the Green Egg are strong.
That’s a good thing because once you lock your lid in place the only way out is through those hinges… If they work like they should. Yes, that means that occasionally your green egg hinge problems could be yours. What could be the reason for this? It can be as simple as dirt getting into a hinge assembly or as complex as loose bolts and worn parts leaving you with a broken hinge that can’t be fixed. Either way, here’s how to fix them if yours aren’t working properly.
What can cause hinge issues on a Green Egg?
The two hinges on your Green Egg are made to handle up to 175 pounds of pressure per hinge. This is more than enough to handle the weight of your Green Egg and the effort of opening and closing it. However, sometimes things can get in the way of these heavy hinges pushing down on the lid of your Egg.
And, if that happens, it can cause your green egg hinge problems. It can be as simple as dirt getting into a hinge assembly or as complex as loose bolts and worn parts leaving you with a broken hinge that can’t be fixed. Either way, here’s how to fix them if yours aren’t working properly.
How to fix a broken hinge on a Green Egg
If your Green Egg hinge is broken you’ll need to replace the broken piece. Get an exact replacement piece from your local hardware store. You’ll also need a new hinge bolt, nut and washer. Most hardware stores can also order these items if they aren’t in your area. Now, remove the old broken hinge assembly. Use a hinge wrench or a pair of channel-lock pliers.
If the broken hinge is on a horizontal hinge, use a hinge wrench to remove the hinge. If it’s on a vertical hinge, use a channel-lock plier. Once the broken part is off, get a bucket of clean water to soak the broken hinge assembly in. It will lessen the chance of dirt getting into the mechanism. Clean the entire hinge assembly with a rag.
How to prevent hinge problems on your Green Egg
The best way to prevent hinge problems on your green egg is to keep the exterior of the egg clean. This will limit any dirt that is getting inside the hinge assembly. If you are going to store your green egg for an extended period of time, keep it covered with a storage tarp or a plastic storage bin with a tight-fitting lid. This will keep the dust and other dirt from getting inside the green egg.
Another thing you can do to prevent hinge problems is to regularly check the hinges on your green egg for any signs of wear. If your hinges are showing any signs of wear, you can easily fix them. This is actually something you should do on a regular basis as part of your maintenance on your green egg.
The long and short of raising the lid on your Green Egg
The hinge on your Green Egg is the part that allows you to lower the lid and lift it up. If it’s broken you can’t open the lid. If it’s badly worn, it might not lift the lid at all. So, how do you inspect and maintain the hinge on your Green Egg? Follow these steps and you’ll be raising and lowering that lid as smooth as can be in no time.
Open the lid of your green egg so that the hinges are accessible. Having the lid open will make it easier to inspect the hinges and also make it easier to apply some lubrication if needed. You’re going to need to access the two horizontal hinge assemblies. To get to them you’re going to need to raise the lid a little bit and then lean in with your head between the lid and the Egg.
To do this, use a channel-lock pliers to hold the hinge in place and a pair of channel-lock pliers to rotate the hinge assembly and lower the lid.
Green Egg hinge repair tools you’ll need
– Impact wrench – This will let you tighten down the bolts on your Green Egg. – 12-inch extension and 4-inch wrench – You’re going to need these to reach the bolts on your Green Egg. – 12-inch wrench and socket set – Once you’ve tightened down your bolts you’re going to need a wrench and socket set to tighten down the nut. – Spackle and putty knife – You’re going to need a putty knife to apply some spackle to the areas on the hinge assembly that are going to take the most wear.
Conclusion
If you’re having green egg hinge problems, they aren’t going to last long. Follow these steps and they’ll be solved in no time. Green egg hinge problems are easy to fix and can easily be prevented by keeping the hinges clean and lubricated.