DIY raised grid with beer cans??!!?

Dawnya00

Hi there! TGIF. I am planning my 3rd cook today, trying spatchcock chicken and I am reading that raised is where it is at, if I am going to do it direct. I was looking through the forum and saw someone used 3 empty beer cans to raise their cooking surface. Can I really do this? Any other suggestions?

As always, you all are great with your advice and wise cracks. I love it.

theyolksonyou

Yep. Or firebricks or carrage bolts and washers, or L brackets. There are all kinds of cheep ways. 

SoCalTim

What I did (Before I bought a Woo) is use (2) grates .. I put one on top of the fire ring, 3 fire bricks or beer cans, then the second grate on top.

The grate on the fire ring is used so if the bricks or cans fall, they don't fall into the fire down below ...

You really don't need the grate on the fire ring .. I just didn't want to chance bumping the egg and have everything come tumbling down into the hot fire.

Skiddymarker

SoCalTim said:

What I did (Before I bought a Woo) is (2) grates .. I put one on top of the fire ring, 3 fire bricks or beer cans, then the second grate on top.

The grate on the fire ring is used so if the bricks or cans fall, they don't fall into the fire down below ...

Good idea - make sure the raised grid is stable - if a beer can slips off into the fire the grid can tip and upset your spatchcock - do not ask how I know this....Two grid set up with some fire bricks is super easy and stable. 

Eggcelsior

You can do it indirect as well. Just bump the temp by 25-50 degrees(425-450 instead of 375-400) if you have a plate setter. 

In terms of a cheap, "permanent" raised-direct set-up, go to the home improvement store and get a Weber grid that fits your egg(The fire grate for the 22.5" weber is 17.6 inches) and some carriage bolts, nuts, and washers. That way you'll have an extra grid that is always ready.

Then again, being "forced" to drink 3 beers just to grill isn't so bad either.

theyolksonyou

I use full fire bricks(some people nose regular). I find it to be stable enough as long as I'm not moving the table around, which I never do. Early on, I set up and moved it before I lit. I did have a brick slip then. Luckily no damage to the box. 

Dawnya00

@Eggcelsior Good tips, I like the extra grid idea. I do have a place setter...so, am I looking to add it legs up, grid on and cook at 425 dome? an hour or so?

Dobie

Do yourself a favor and buy a Woo2, money well spent.

DaveRichardson

I did the firebricks before I was abel to find long stainless steel bolts to make the second grid.  Bricks wrapped in foil work great as well.

Avoid using galvanized screws / bolts due to possible off-gassing of the anti-corrosive agents. 

Eggcelsior

Dawnya00 said:

@Eggcelsior Good tips, I like the extra grid idea. I do have a place setter...so, am I looking to add it legs up, grid on and cook at 425 dome? an hour or so?

Yes. Typically 50-60 minutes for me.

Dawnya00

I plan to.

buzd504

Eggcelsior said:

Then again, being "forced" to drink 3 beers just to grill isn't so bad either.

I ran out of room on my grid for my beer cans.

Smokinpig

2 birds, 3 soda cans

Jeepster47

Eggcelsior said:

... Then again, being "forced" to drink 3 beers just to grill isn't so bad either.

Oh, that's where I went wrong ... empty cans first ... thanks!

Langner91

I use the three soda can method. Works great!

Dawnya00

we are creating our new patio and have a ton of bricks out there. Too bad I can't be sure that they are fire-safe. I wonder if the bricks that are surrounding the top of the fire pit are fire safe....?

buzd504

Dawnya00 said:

we are creating our new patio and have a ton of bricks out there. Too bad I can't be sure that they are fire-safe. I wonder if the bricks that are surrounding the top of the fire pit are fire safe....?

Just wrap them in HD foil in case they crack.

Jeepster47

Here's another alternative if you have a ceramic store nearby.  Or have time to mail order them.

http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1181854/kiln-post-post/p1

xiphoid007

I would do the bricks. I would worry about paint burning off the cans and even the cans burning through if the fire got too hot.

I use the adjustable rig without the oval stone for raised direct and love it. One of my best accessory investments for the egg.

KiterTodd

+1 on the cans.  Keep it simple.

Regular old untreated bricks work fine also.   Mine haven't cracked.  (I upgraded to those from the cans.)

Then I finally bit the bullet and bought an AR.


Good luck with your 1st spatchcock!  My guess is it'll turn out fantastic!  And you will spend years trying to recreate the perfection of that first cook....   

YYZegger

I just did my first spatchcock chicken this week, did it with the platesetter legs up, drip tray, and grate on the PS, so essentially indirect cooking at 450 and worked like a charm!  My family loved it so much, it was super juicy and delicious.  Have fun with it!

Dawnya00

Starting. I will work on the raised grid this weekend, for now, it is PS up at 425 dome. Potatoes going on shortly

Toxarch

DaveRichardson said:

Avoid using galvanized screws / bolts due to possible off-gassing of the anti-corrosive agents. 

You would have to get the egg up to 1600 degrees for that to happen. If the egg is at 1600 degrees, you have other things to worry about.

Dawnya00

Tasted great! I really need to work on my plated shots! 

nolaegghead

Yurm!

bud812

Nailed it.

Jeepster47

Dawnya00 said:

... I really need to work on my plated shots! 

Yep, just like my mom, you cut the head off the chicken ... geez.

If the potatoes were good, you're one up on me.  I gave up on cooking hasselhof potatoes.

SkinnyV

That cook looks great, just shop cgs for the good stuff and you wont look back.

flynnbob

Here you go.  Used this before I got my AR.  Too bad I have given up beer since then!  I think that this was a turkey. 

http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1160151/redneck-ar#latest

clifkincaid

I just wad foil up and slam a flat edge on both sides. I'm cheap

Hawg Fan

bud812 said:

Nailed it.

Ditto!  Nice cook!