2012 Genesis E310 warped sides?

[Jeff.Ro]

Recently got a used 2012 Genesis E310. Picked it up for $25 and replaced a missing drip tray and liners to get it going!

First time started using it and noticed on either side the top cover when closing the side edges hit the bottom base. The top/bottom clash just in front of where the rotisserie would go. Any idea on what could be the issue?

The top side pieces seem straight. It's definitely in the bottom base that would appear to be bowed. Is there anything to do? I understand the bottom is cast aluminum and i would be very cautious to do any sort of hammering on that cast material.





Front shot a view of the best $25 I've ever spent.



Right side. This view is aligned with the top side piece. It looks straight as a whistle, however, you can see the gap between the top/bottom start at the front at 1/4" or more and then narrow up as it goes back towards the middle of the grill where the rotisserie would come through.


Right side view aligned with the bottom. Here's where you can really see the gap go from 1/4" plus to nothing. That is where the top/bottom clash.



Left side. View aligned with the top.


Left side view aligned with the bottom.

 

[Steve Hoch]

You figured it out, the cookbox is badly warped. I've had a couple grills that were bowed out in the front to where the grates were ready to fall into the grill. I was able to fix those with a pipe clamp. Your problem looks a little more complicated than that. I can tell you that those cookboxes can take more force than you would think as long as you can figure out a way to apply it that might straighten it out.

 

[Dave in KC]

pipe clamp.

That would be my fix, just be really careful, and I would use 2x4 braces.
You can easily crack, or worse- shatter, the box.

 

[Jeff.Ro]

i'm just concerned with the cast aluminum. I shattered a cast iron burger press trying to get the handles tighter by coaxing them closer with a hammer. Don't want to do this with an irreplaceable bottom.

 

[Bruce]

They are not irreplaceable. The way the cabinets rust out on those grills, finding a cheap donor grill shouldn't be too bad.

Try this: https://tvwbb.com/threads/cook-box-bow-fix-attempt.100714/

It won't work for bulges in the sides, but will work for the front edge. It might help move the sides in a bit if the problem is along the top edge. You could adapt this method to that situation as well.

 

[Jeff.Ro]

Well that's the reassurance I was looking for before cranking on this thing. Squished either end together with a few F clamps from harbor freight and a 2x4 a bit wider than the side tables.

The cast aluminum was way more malleable than I imagined.

 

[Steve Hoch]

The cast aluminum was way more malleable than I imagined.

Yes, it is surprising how easy it is to bend them without breaking. So how did you do?

 

[Josh Dekubber]

Yes, it is surprising how easy it is to bend them without breaking. So how did you do?

It is pretty easy to bend. I had a cookbox that was a little bowed out. I just stood on the side of the cookbox and put the palm of one hand on the back and the palm of my other hand on the front. Push my hand towards each other a couple times and checked it. Almost there so one more time and it was good. Kind of like crushing an aluminum can but on a bigger scale.