adjustable grate update, 4 pics.

Sandbagger

It's been some time since I posted an update on the adjustable/swivel grate. When I started this quest month’s ago, the goal was to make an affordable device where you can have multiple work surfaces (grates/pans), be able to position the work surfaces at varying heights and still keep it straightforward to use. Simply, get the most out of the egg with each cook. It’s an lofty goal, but what the heck, man needs a purpose. If you have any ideas to improve this baby, they are gladly welcome. Anyway, here is the latest on version 2….[p]I just want to take a minute and thank eggor and thirdeye for your positive feedback and assistance. You both have provided some great insight and detail. So, thanks![p][p][p]The cook is 6 full racks/slabs of baby backs without the fire ring but with a platesetter on the donut. It creates better air flow without the fire ring. On the platesetter is a 2 inch deep pan with apple juice. Next, three grates, 18, 17 and 13 inch diameters holding ribs. [p] I rotated the ribs once and probably should have rotated one more time. All were cooked, but two portions did not fall off the bone, like the rest. I have no clue why the ribs look so red, other than a camera setting. [p]The device details are:[p]Grate: Each grate needs to be notched. That means the outer metal band going around the grate needs to be cut in two places, allowing room for the vertical rods to slip past. Notching makes it possible to remove a grate at any time. So on multiple level cooks, take one grate to the kitchen, leave the rest behind. (Like the Who song…. Going Mobile) [p]
[p]
Grate Support Bracket: The brackets attach to the vertical rods and support the grate/pan/stones. Each bracket is 5/16 inch diameter rod stock and “U” shape with ¼ inch tips welded to the ends. The tips slide into 3/8 inch coupling nuts that are welded to the ½ inch coupling nuts that travel the vertical rods. The brackets can be easily removed or swiveled outward (if above the rim), creating access to lower surfaces or the lump. To make up for the sag created by the 1/8 inch play, the tips are angled in, so when weighted with an average load, the grate sits relatively level. 5/16 inch tips work, but it’s a tight fit for easy in/out. The bracket can be bent at differing lengths to fit various positions in the egg.[p]Support donut/vertical rods: The support donut at the bottom sits on the firebox. It is one inch, thick, steel (14.75” ID & 17.5” OD) and weighs the same as the fire ring, 17 pounds. Two coupling nuts are welded to the donut. The two ½ inch vertical threaded rods are screwed into the coupling nuts and locked into place with hex nuts. This eliminates any wobble. The rods are approximately 15 inches in length. The rod’s tip ends are slotted to accommodate a screw gun. So, zip, zip with the coupling nuts and your done. [p]Location of the Grate: The height or location of each grate is variable. Just screw the coupling nuts up or down the rods and slip in the support bracket. On the support bracket, place a grate, pan, stone or whatever. I have not load tested the brackets, nuts or threaded rod, but if required, bigger sizes are available. Time will tell.[p][p]Added variables: You can cook with or without the fire ring. For indirect cooks, set the platesetter on the donut or use a bracket/stone combo. The vertical rods fit inside the fire ring when it is replaced. Also, the donut can sit on top of the fire ring, bringing the base higher into the egg. To use it here, all you need are shorter vertical rods. [p][p]
Everything on the device is 304 or 18-8 stainless except the bottom donut which is regular steel. The welds are MIG welds with 308/309 stainless wire. My welding is improving but I still forget things at times. Check the weld soot on the bracket tips.[p] Any ideas here: [p]The reason for the heavy donut is to provide the necessary counter weight to swing a sizable mass (grate and butt). Without the counter balance the device will tip on a heavy swing. Now that the grates are removable, it may be better to replace swinging with removal and rethink the donut. The donut is expensive to manufacture and ‘kinda’ kills the cost effectiveness of the device. So if you have any ideas, I am all ears.[p]Everything else is readily available or easily manufactured and reasonable priced: 3 feet threaded rod is $12, coupling nuts are less than $2 a nut, support brackets are couple bucks per bracket to make. On the grates, I’ve notched some a couple months ago and have seen no problems in warping or such. [p]Anyway, here is the latest contraption. What do you think?

Sandbagger

It took me about 5 minutes to foil everyting. Surprised me how easy it was. tom[p]

Smokey

Sandbagger,[p]That's a very cool "gadget". [p]I wish I had the ability to make such a "gizmo", but no can do! (notice I have not attempted to name your "contraption". I will leave the glory to you for all of the hard work)! [p]Bet you could do cook enough wings to feed a small army.[p]Smokey

Toy Man

Very nice. Good idea, design work and fabrication.[p]Toy Man

eggor

Sandbagger,[p]nice work Tom, glad to be of some help. Ya do know that if your inlaws find out that you can feed them all in one cook the will be hangin around more!!! might wanna keep this one hush hush.LOL[p]Scott

Sigmore

Sandbagger, Now that's using your punkin for something besides a hat rack. Forget the swing, I like the slide out better. Quicker in my opinion. Just my 2¢.

eggor

sigmore,[p]I agree, the swing out idea was OK. But this one really is a pretty useful and would be easy to use!!![p]Scott

Sigmore

eggor, Sign me up for R&D. I'll load that puppy up with butt. I don't care what Stump says. 8^

Chef Arnoldi

<p />Sandbagger, great job. Now i have an idea for you: make a similar unit to the LODGE unit (see photo), with several adjustable rings to place the BGE grates on, and allow for swinging out or removal.

Sandbagger

Chef Arnoldi, do you have any idea how big/little that thing is? Per swinging or removing grates, you can do both on my latest version. That is why the base ring is 17 pounds. If you like, email me and I can provide you with addtional details. By the way, my wife's grandfather grew up in Jeanerette. Tom

Chef Arnoldi

Sandbagger,Outpost Round Grill (13-in.)

[ul][li]Outpost Round Grill [/ul]