Wiggle Rods

Zogman100

Couple of questions about wiggle rods. Do most make their own (Iknow a simple coat hanger will do the trick) or can you buy a decent wiggle rod? Haven't seen much on technique, do you go in from the top or go in from the lower vent. How do you wiggle your egg? :laugh:

NibbleMeThis

I just used a metal skewer and bent it 90 degrees about 1" from the tip. Works like a charm.

NibbleMeThis

And yeah, I go in from the bottom vent. When the egg is lit and the coal is glowing, you can see the dark holes that are blocked (at least at night).

SmokeyPitt

If you go to a hardware store or home depot/lowes you can find metal tubing. Just get the largest diameter you think you can bend . I have a bench vise so there was nothing to it. I bent a loop around the vice for a hanger and then added a super custom electrical tape handle.

dluvhog

I bet a bent piece of 3/4" conduit would work just fine also

smbishop

I bought mine from Tony:

http://www.eggheadforum.com/index.php?option=com_simpleboard&func=view&id=1096692&catid=1

transversal

1/4 inch stainless.

Zogman100

I like this one, simple but elegant and looks fairly easy to make! My list for Menards is growing.

Grandpas Grub

 
Simple coat hangers are... well buy or make one.

If you must use a coat hanger, untwist the hook then bend the hanger in half. Twist both legs to build some strength. Than make the bent for the 'L' for the rod.

GG

thirdeye

If you are going to make your own, a large Egg needs a 3" L length and a 14" overall length, a small egg uses a 12" overall length and a 2-1/4" L length. This way the wiggle rod can be stored inside the respective Eggs when they are not is use.

Don't get too large of a diameter rod as you want some flexibility when wiggling. If your rod is too stiff you run the risk of moving the charcoal grate and possibly dumping coals into the ash compartment. 1/8" or 5/32" diameter is a good choice.

Stainless steel is the best material, but copper rods are common at the big box home stores. Carbon steel will work, just paint it to avoid rusting.

Go in from the lower vent, and up into the coals by feel....I usually wiggle after starting, or anytime the fire seems sluggish, or if it begins to die out. I also wiggle before napping on an all night cook. Sometimes it's not necessary at all, but a wiggle is good insurance. I've have a brisket on for 8 hours today and I've wiggled twice.

2Fategghead

I made my own but you can buy one as well.



Most of the time I put it in the bottom vent and poke up from the bottom being careful not to move the cast iron lump grate all out of wack.







I made my wiggle rod long. That way while smoking a butt if I think I'm getting a vertical burn I can wiggle down from the top through the food grid and past the plate setter. I can reach down with out taking the food out and move the lump around then poke up from the bottom. It works perfect.

tacodawg

Got my package from you yesterday and got to use both the micro and wiggle rod.. 6# butt. The micro makes it very easy to record settings. Turned out great. Thanks for the great service.

RRP

Tim,

I like your metal catch shelf for embers I assume. Is it merely a piece of sheet metal forced between your egg and the nest or is it attached to the nest?

Ron

2Fategghead

Hi Ron, I made it and attached it to my nest. When I get a chance I will modify it some. I use it to get the ash out and into my bucket.

Bear 007

I bought a 1/4 brass rod at Lowes pounded one end flat with hammer then bent it and epoxied it into a handle.

Zogman100

As usual, you guys deliver! Good info here. Thanks!

Grandpas Grub

 
Wiggle Rods ~ Thirdeye BBQ

 

SoCalWJS

Got my Third hand - gotta look into the wiggler - I've never had a problem with a fire going out though - even on 18+ hour cook.

Still tempted - love my third hand. Great quality.

Grandpas Grub

 
I don't talk about it much but I too love the ThirdHand, what a great grid lifter.

GG

Theophan

I just received a new wiggle rod from Thirdeye, and it's very cool! I haven't had a chance to use it, yet, but it looks perfect.

http://thirdeyebbq.com/WiggleRods.aspx

Theo

Ricklesss

One thing to bear in mind when "wigglin'", and that's to not have your face in direct shot of that lower vent.
If the fire is on the verge of suffocating due to ash clogging, a couple of time's I've seen some pretty dramatic fireball "flame burps" come shooting out...
It would/could, definitely burn your face.
RicklessssssS in Oregon.

Mickey

Have one for the Mini and one for Lg & Small:
This is one of LawnRangers cut down for the Mini

Also the other that fits the Large and Small

jaydub58

I bought my Wiggle Rod from third eye like GG mentions above. Also got a Third Hand.........real good tools and great service!

:cheer: :cheer:

Zogman100

Found these at Menards yesterday, 6 bucks for 6, thought one would make a good wiggle rod. Now I have 5 extras.

Buckwoody Egger

Genius find -- between that and the deal on starter cubes, Menards is sounding like a good chain.

Buckwoody Egger

Whaddya know-- found these stainless steel skewers at Lowe's. Bending the last 3" was really easy, just tapping with rubber mallet over a block of wood.

Worked just fine on a "cold" run, which is when I use it-- clearing the holes when I am starting with a half-empty Egg.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_174484-47981-42087_0__?productId=3122227&Ntt=skewers&pl=1¤tURL=%2Fpl__0__s%3FNtt%3Dskewers&facetInfo=

Thanks for sharing the ingenuity folks.