DK45 Posted July 6, 2020 Share Posted July 6, 2020 My Primo XL FIREBOX has severe cracks. Original crack started at one of the vent holes and gradually propagated to form major crack. Is this a common problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Setzler Posted July 7, 2020 Share Posted July 7, 2020 It's THE MOST COMMON problem ceramic kamados have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanole Posted July 7, 2020 Share Posted July 7, 2020 DK45 mine has been cracked for years. I cooked on mine up until I heard George might sell which he did and I have not seen any drop off in support. I have had my new in box firebox stored in the garage about 9 months now. If you have any cracking or distorsion on you castiron grate buy a new one when/if you file a firebox claim. Some go the KAB route I have not done it, do not see the need myself. Others swear by it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philpom Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 Yes, cracked ceramic fire boxes from any kamado maker are a real thing. My Primo XL firebox cracked maybe 5 or 6 years ago, I filed a claim and got a new one, it just took space in my garage until a few months ago when I built a new table and moved the Primo over, at that point I installed the new one but will repair the old one just in case. The worst issue I have is the fire grate, they warp and crack, I have been through 2 of them and need a new one now. Will probably get a custom grate from Ceramic Grill Store. TKOBBQ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKOBBQ Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 @philpom get a kickash basket and you don't have to worry about that pesky grate. Plus makes clean ups easier. ckreef and philpom 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
packfan Posted November 18, 2020 Share Posted November 18, 2020 On 7/7/2020 at 12:19 PM, Vanole said: DK45 mine has been cracked for years. I cooked on mine up until I heard George might sell which he did and I have not seen any drop off in support. I have had my new in box firebox stored in the garage about 9 months now. If you have any cracking or distorsion on you castiron grate buy a new one when/if you file a firebox claim. Some go the KAB route I have not done it, do not see the need myself. Others swear by it. What is KAB route? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BURGER MEISTER Posted November 18, 2020 Share Posted November 18, 2020 https://ceramicgrillstore.com/collections/primo-grill-accessories-oval-grills/products/primo-xl-stainless-kick-ash-basket-by-kick-ash-kab-ox Available from the Ceramic Grill Store. Makes cleanup easier and in MHO won't crack and swell like the grate and probably break your liner. TKOBBQ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luebri Posted November 23, 2020 Share Posted November 23, 2020 KAB = Kick Ash Basket. (That abbreviation took me a while to figure out to!) Order direct from @KickAshChad website. https://www.kickashbasket.com/Oval-XL-Kick-Ash-Basket_p_44.html My Primo Junior has know gone thru a full split (into 2 pieces) twice. Primo warranty sent me a new one last fall. It cracked again this summer. They said they are changing the design, hopefully with a stress relief gap, and have been backed up on getting me a replacement. They told me November... back in August. I don't have it yet, probably time to check in! Both times mine was pinpointed to the Cast-iron firebox grate in the bottom being cracked that then expanded pushing against the firebox causing the cracks to start. Hence why the KAB is important, as you can get away without have to use the Cast Iron firebox grate. The KAB is also useful for many other reasons. In the meantime I got this idea from someone on this thread and its been working perfectly for me. Use this make a clamp kit (link below) to secure the 2 halves together https://www.menards.com/main/plumbing/plumbing-installation-repair/hose-clamps-pipe-support/breeze-trade-make-a-clamp-kit/4000/p-1468407189917-c-9424.htm?tid=8511207658231451680&ipos=1 BURGER MEISTER 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanole Posted November 23, 2020 Share Posted November 23, 2020 @luebri hopefully after your first FB broke you replaced the cast iron grate. My first cast iron grate split and cracked the firebox. FB replaced under warranty still in box. Bought 2 new cast iron grates. Replaced the cast iron grate and still cooking with cracked FB. Have yet to convert to a KAB on any of my BGE's (4) or Primo XL (1). Just have not felt the need BUT I might not know what I am missing out on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack. Posted December 3, 2020 Share Posted December 3, 2020 Like philpom, my Primo XL firebox cracked about 6 years ago. I filed a claim, got a new firebox very quickly, and it's never been out of the box it was shipped in. I've just kept cooking on the cracked one until it got so bad that it would not hold lump anymore--which has yet to happen. No problems with the CI fire grate in mine, despite years of frequent low 'n slow as well as high heat cooks. Maybe I'm just lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keeperovdeflame Posted December 14, 2020 Share Posted December 14, 2020 On 12/2/2020 at 10:11 PM, Jack. said: Like philpom, my Primo XL firebox cracked about 6 years ago. I filed a claim, got a new firebox very quickly, and it's never been out of the box it was shipped in. I've just kept cooking on the cracked one until it got so bad that it would not hold lump anymore--which has yet to happen. No problems with the CI fire grate in mine, despite years of frequent low 'n slow as well as high heat cooks. Maybe I'm just lucky. The cast iron fire grate in my BGE lasts and lasts, while I have seen posts of many others around the forum and on the EggHead forum cracking over time. I am wondering if our dry much less humid climate is the reason. Seems more humid zones get more of the brittle rust effect. Just thinking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggs53 Posted March 18, 2021 Share Posted March 18, 2021 I have a primo firebox that is cracked in 2 place that run from the top to bottom. I have had firebox replaced once before without any problem. Not the case this time. Require the crack to be the diameter of a nickel. That is a big crack. I have read on other sites that since the company sold that the new owner is not as diligent in servicing older primo owners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggs53 Posted March 19, 2021 Share Posted March 19, 2021 Above post I stated crack had to be diameter of nickel but that is wrong. It has to be the width of a nickel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Setzler Posted March 19, 2021 Share Posted March 19, 2021 I'm one of these guys who always likes to say "It's still gonna work fine" when I look at some things that are not what they should be. While that is still the case, I think it's sending a hard message if primo is not honoring warranty on broken ceramics. They ARE honoring the warranty when it gets to a certain point it seems, but that's definitely not going to be a confidence booster to a buyer when the word gets out that they are doing this. @eggs53 Have you considered removing the firebox in pieces, cleaning them off, and repairing it with JB Weld? TKOBBQ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPH 66 Posted April 14 Share Posted April 14 On 7/6/2020 at 8:11 PM, John Setzler said: It's THE MOST COMMON problem ceramic kamados have. I had a large big green egg for 10 years and NEVER EVER had an issue with my firebox. I have owned a Primo XL for less than two years and the firebox is already in two pieces. They want $75 to ship me another one - Primo is a joke, should have replaced my old GREEN EGG with another BIG GREEN EGG!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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