Challenger Cart Protection

Jeepster47

Love a lot of things about the Challenger Cart, but the durability of the top is not one of those.  It would be fantastic to replace the top with granite, but that is not in the cards.  A cheap way to protect it is with a ceramic floor tile.  18" floor tiles are readily available at big box stores, so that's what I started with ... it was okay, but a little too small.  Last week I went to a tile store and asked about 24" floor tiles.  Told them I was looking for an extra large trivet ... only needed one ... no I didn't want to buy a whole carton.  After my "retired and on a fixed budget" whining, they found a sample tile with a very small chip missing on one of the corners.  So, for $10 I walked away with an Italian Ceramic Floor tile.  Then went to Ace hardware for four hard rubber stoppers ... $6.80.  Used some 3M contact cement to hold the stoppers in place and some tile sealer for the top of the tile. 

The top of the cart is not perfectly level, so the legs solve that problem.  The legs also provide an air gap to keep the table top cool.  And, the gap is useful to hold towels, hot pads, gloves, etc..  This is the back side with "legs" installed:



And, ready for use:



BTW ... notice the rubber seal around the egg?  That's the seal that Challenger uses on their Tailgater Cart.  I've had it in place for a year now and really like it ...

blasting

I like it.  Good fix.

When you were going through the "I'm retired on a fixed income", it's probably best you didn't mention the tile was for 2000 bbq cart.

hondabbq

I went on kijiji and looked for granite. I found a granite shop that was selling offcuts. I found a piece that was close to the size of the Challenger top and then asked them to cut it. Each cut (2 sides) were $10 each.  I got a piece I liked for $10. when I went to pay the guys said don't worry about the cuts.

Its black with white swirling and 1.5" thick. It doesn't move.

hondabbq

I looked through my phone and I only have 1 pic. Here it is. The mini has another home now. On a stainless table on the side. 

Jeepster47

@hondabbq ... the granite folks around here love their stone much more than that.  I first inquired at one of our installers.

HeavyG

I'd add another rubber foot in the center of that tile. Tile isn't strong in tension and I'd hate to see you put something heavy-ish on that tile and have it snap in half.

Jeepster47

@HeavyG ... You're probably right.  Will see if the warped top will accommodate a center leg without it rocking.  I could trim the center leg down to fit ... with the chipped corner, I would be able to orientate it the same every time.

The compelling reason for going to elevated ceramic is a landing pad for the hot AR and PSWoo units.  Their load is spread out quite well.

Spaightlabs

Also, I'm thinking that if you put anything hot on that tile when it is cold, that sucker is gonna crack due to the rapid temp change?

Jeepster47

@Spaightlabs ... I've had the 18" tile on the table for about 10 months with no problems.  If the top surface of the plate setter was placed on it, I might have some concerns.  But, neither the AR nor the PSwoo units have caused problems when placed on it directly out of the egg.

Tspud1

Jeepster47 said:

@hondabbq ... the granite folks around here love their stone much more than that.  I first inquired at one of our installers.

This guy protected his table with granite

Jeepster47

Tspud1 said:

Jeepster47 said:

@hondabbq ... the granite folks around here love their stone much more than that.  I first inquired at one of our installers.

This guy protected his table with granite

Did you find out what it cost him?  Just for the granite I mean.

HeavyG

Tspud1 said:

Jeepster47 said:

@hondabbq ... the granite folks around here love their stone much more than that.  I first inquired at one of our installers.

This guy protected his table with granite

So...what is he going to put on top to protect the granite?

NPHuskerFL

Call me cynical or an a$$hole. I assure you the shoe fits me. A table that is so proudly $$$ marketed should not need "extra" protection imho. I can place a inferno PS or CI grid atop mine with no worries and have done so many times. Don't misunderstand these are pretty tables. 

blind99

Would the challenger finish hold up to a plate setter?

Ozzie_Isaac

blind99 said:

Would the challenger finish hold up to a plate setter?

It is a beautiful table.  The drawers are nice, sturdy, and there are water tight seals on everything.

However, the finish is seriously lacking in durability.  For the $$$ I would look into @Tspud1 's tables, or a nice wood table.

My first requirement in a table is toughness.  Shiny & fancy is a distant 3rd.

NPHuskerFL

Maybe I just got lucky. 
https://youtu.be/mtLpZWNyM0I
Less than $350 invested. No drawers, nothing fancy...it's a SS table. Exactly what I wanted. FWIW the Challenger Table is very nice but, didn't fit my pocketbook. Agree @Tspud1 tables are also well built. 

pgprescott

IMO, The beauty of a table or cart is almost always inversely proportional to its durability. The least durable is among them is wood. It is the most porous, least resistant to heat, and requires the most maintainance. They are however, some of the most stunning tables I have ever seen. Others materials will vary in durability and appearance. Lots of options for people with differing priorities. 

Moral is that you need just a little common sense when using your tools. 

Tspud1

HeavyG said:

Tspud1 said:

Jeepster47 said:

@hondabbq ... the granite folks around here love their stone much more than that.  I first inquired at one of our installers.

This guy protected his table with granite

So...what is he going to put on top to protect the granite?

He is a chef and has cooking shows and represented the US at world chef competitions and Executive Chef Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs. I know he he is going to find a few things to put on the table top. He never did tell me what the top cost but considering in DC area he paid more than most of us would.

blind99

@tspud1 Forgive my ignorance, is Outdoor Kitchen Equipment your company?

hondabbq

Tspud1 said:

HeavyG said:

Tspud1 said:

Jeepster47 said:

@hondabbq ... the granite folks around here love their stone much more than that.  I first inquired at one of our installers.

This guy protected his table with granite

So...what is he going to put on top to protect the granite?

He is a chef and has cooking shows and represented the US at world chef competitions and Executive Chef Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs. I know he he is going to find a few things to put on the table top. He never did tell me what the top cost but considering in DC area he paid more than most of us would.

Was he competing at the culinary Olympics in Germany?  It's held every 4 years. I competed there in 2094 and won silver. We were the highest scoring team if the day. 

Jeepster47

BTW ... forgot to mention that this is part of their warranty statement ... which is why the floor tile:

Do not place hot items directly on any part of the cart surface. Damage created by hot items can be minimized by cleaning and buffing, but will typically never be eliminated. This type of damage will not be covered under warranty.

DoubleEgger

This makes me want one of @Tspud1 's tables even more...

blind99

Jeepster47 said:

BTW ... forgot to mention that this is part of their warranty statement ... which is why the floor tile:

Do not place hot items directly on any part of the cart surface. Damage created by hot items can be minimized by cleaning and buffing, but will typically never be eliminated. This type of damage will not be covered under warranty.

nuts.  I really like the finishes on the challenger carts.  but it's not just for show, it needs to stand up to some cooking!

Tspud1

hondabbq said:

Tspud1 said:

HeavyG said:

Tspud1 said:

Jeepster47 said:

@hondabbq ... the granite folks around here love their stone much more than that.  I first inquired at one of our installers.

This guy protected his table with granite

So...what is he going to put on top to protect the granite?

He is a chef and has cooking shows and represented the US at world chef competitions and Executive Chef Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs. I know he he is going to find a few things to put on the table top. He never did tell me what the top cost but considering in DC area he paid more than most of us would.

Was he competing at the culinary Olympics in Germany?  It's held every 4 years. I competed there in 2094 and won silver. We were the highest scoring team if the day. 

2094 ? This chef is the real deal, 2013 Bocuse de Or took 3rd place , yougest ever to become Certiied Master Chef in US   http://richrosendale.com 
I need to contact him to for pics of table in use but he is a busy man

hondabbq

Meant 2004

Lit

Just spray some off on it.

Ozzie_Isaac

Wonder if you could Line-X the top?

Jeepster47

I'm thinking the best deal would be to spend my kid's inheritance on a granite top ...

Ozzie_Isaac

Jeepster47 said:

I'm thinking the best deal would be to spend my kid's inheritance on a granite top ...

I agree, spend your daughters inheritance  on a nice granite top.

Tspud1

Maybe you can find a drop or a piece the local installer botched up

willdthrill

So I just bought a Challenger Torch for my Large Egg. Previously I had it in a wheeled nest.  My question is, do I need a little nest or can I just put it in the hole of the cart?  I may have a ceramic floor tile in the attic or garage. Will that work? Does anyone here have theirs just in the cart-no nest, no tile?