Homemade Grate and Raised Grill

DTEgg

Ok, so I am a dedicated DIY'er and mostly that equals cheap. I read about everyone saying they get better results from the after-market lump grates and I was curious. I grabbed the charcoal grate out of an old Webber kettle, marked it using the original BGE cast iron grate and with a metal blade in the jig saw and few minutes with the grinder/wire wheel later, voila! I will have to let you know how it lasts, but it seems to work just fine. It might be my imagination, but the lump seemed to get going faster and I Iit the same way as always. Testing continues with a spatchcock as I type.

Inspired with my success, I went and bought another 17" Webber grate ($10.99) and using hardware I had laying about I built the raised grate for the LBGE shown. I use a PSwoo that puts the grill at the felt line, so I used 5.5" long 1/4" bolts. Let the bolts stick below the grate 1" (minus the nuts/washer) for stability. It just fits inside the dome and seems to work out well. I set a 10 pound weight on it and it seems pretty solid. I tested it with baked potatoes and some fresh green beans in a foil pouch above the brats and burgers. If I like it I may replace the hardware with all new stuff, but I figure it will just get all greased up anyway. Not knocking other products, but a whole lot less expensive than some of the other rigs. I want to try it with a couple of larger butts or other roasts to see how it goes. I have seen similar projects, so I am not claiming originality here! Worst case, I have a replacement in case I need to use the kettle grill. Good cooking to all!

P.S. Accidentally posted a double image, not sure how to fix it, sorry!

stevethegreat

That fire grate is pretty ingenious

DTEgg

Thanks!  Quick, cheap and easy…!

NPHuskerFL

DIY & cheap my kinda guy :-bd
My table was even a DIY venture w/ the help of a seasoned welder w/ a plasma CNT but, it saved thousands. I made my raised grid w/ SS and use it a LOT. Nice work and ingenuity on what you've done.

DTEgg

@NPHuskerFL, Thanks! Your table is awesome, your welder knows what he is doing!  Gotta appreciate that kind of skill. 

I tried hanging my tools, but SWMBO did not think our 2, 80 pound puppies doing constant pre-rinse on the tools during the cooks was appropriate!

midwestsmoker

Nice job, bet it gets to temp quicker

HDumptyEsq

@DTEgger. Similar set-up and you can vary the height.

DTEgg

@HDumptyEsq-Good idea!  Those rib eyes look good!

GASGUY

Did something similar. I bought 5" SS bolt, washes, etc. Put head of bolt onto 18" cook grid, threads aimed up. Then put on a nut about 3/4" from top. When I need extra cook space I attach 15" cook grid by adding cook grid secured by second nut. I also offset bolt to one side so I can swing out top cook grid for basting, etc. Then swing back and close lid. I did it this way to easily add and remove top cook grid, and give myself access to bottom grid when needed during cook. If you get thick enough bolt it will hold food without bending. Think I got 5/8" x 5" SS bolt (measure distance where you want to add bolt). So far it has worked like a charm. I will try to get a pic to up load when I get home.

uheep

Nice job on that.

eggforever

Great j9b. People spend a lot of money on unnecessary stuff.

DTEgg

@Gasguy- I would like to see a pic of your idea, sounds like a better option!

DoofusOfTheDay

I had the same thought for creating a fire grate on the cheap but was worried that smaller pieces would fall through quicker, but sounds like this is working well?

GASGUY

Said I would take pic when I got home and I actually did a London Broil last night, but completely forgot about taking a pic.......probably because I didn't need top cook grid for cook. Promise I will get pic and post soon. 

GASGUY

Here are a few pics as promised, I usually tighten the top nut..........but I think you will get the idea. I put the bricks on to show even when top grid is not tightened down, it still supports weight of two bricks. Not the most sophisticated system, but it works for me and I think I have maybe $15-$20 into this.

stevethegreat

Do you have a side shot to show how much it sags with weight vs no weight? See nakedwhiz's site about deflection: http://www.nakedwhiz.com/productreviews/swingrack/swingrack.htm

anzyegg

Great idea and bit of ingenuity....

Redskull

Great idea, my Circle-J open pit grill swings out, I like your ingenuity.  

GASGUY

I can get one, but when I use large washers and tighten it has very little sag. I have done several cooks so far with ribs, etc and it has worked like a charm. I used bricks just to give an idea of weight it would handle.

DTEgg

@gasguy- many thanks for the idea, gonna give it a shot over the weekend!

DTEgg

@doofusoftheday- the smaller pieces do fall thru and I am seeing more coals in the bottom than I did with the original BGE grate.  Not sure the smaller lump bits you lose are that big a deal...But…the lump seems to light and get things up to temp faster…I have used it 4 times this week and so far so good.  If it changes I will post and let you know, but for $10 it is worth a try...

DTEgg

Update on the homemade lower grill: it has been 10 months and a LOT of cooking since, the grate is holding up fine, it will bow down after a while, I just turn it over, so far I am happy with it.

jaydub58

I had built one for my Large about 4 years ago.  It did a lot of good work until I recently bought an AR.

jaydub58

Duuuhh I did mean the raised grid, not the charcoal grate.
That's ingenuity!