Spider / grate size questions

Greygoose

i have been at this egg thing for a few weeks and have a long way to go before getting this thing right. each tiime i cook something different, i learn more tricks of the trade. that said, i have done chicken, brisket, and pork butt. tonight was flank steak. i tried the sear and dwell method (i did a 2 minute sear, flip and 2 minute sear, flip and 2.5 minute dwell). My sear was half baked and my final product was rare since i didnt really load up on the lump and had about 1/2 a full load to start with. I learned that searing requires an awful lot of lump if your trying to get it right in the BGE out of the box setup. so i turn to the forum and out comes the spider. Heres the questions. If i buy the spider and the bge 13 inch grate, how many steaks can i get on that little 13 inch grate to sear at one time? are there other grates available that are slightly bigger to increase the number of steaks you can sear? are there any descent lower cost alternatives to this spider / 13 inch grate combination?

thanx for everyones help on my other questions. 

Greygoose

BBQMaven

Greygoose

You can do the above mentioned sear "out of the box" with a flank steak. Just make sure you start with the meat at least room temp. Mine go on with internal temp around 100 degrees (use hot bath method) direct on the grate without the fire ring in. 

4Runner

I get 4 good sized steaks on it. However, the last time I did 4 large bone in ribeyes, I seared 2 at a time. That wasn't a problem because searing is fast. I use my 13"CI and spider all the time. Here are some chicken breasts I did last night. I could have squeezed one more on there if I needed to. Love the grill marks

Greygoose

Will the larger BGE grate for the medium egg  (15 inch) fit on the spider)?

Thanx

Greygoose

4Runner

Not in the spider designed for the large Egg.  A 14" grate would fit in my spider (picture above) but my choices were either 15" or 13".  I tried the 15" first and had to take it back.

4Runner

Prove it.

4Runner

and I want  

4Runner

pics too.  

 

 

:-*

4Runner

No luck.  I was hoping to see what the CI would look like.  It was an almost fit when I brought home the 15" the first time.  The spider should really be slightly adjusted to accomodate the 15 I think.  

4Runner

no pic...right?

Hillbilly-Hightech

are there any descent lower cost alternatives to this spider / 13 inch grate combination?

thanx for everyones help on my other questions. 

Greygoose

@Greygoose - I just use a grate (13" I believe) and just throw it right on top of the coals.  That way I don't have to worry about getting the entire Egg to "volcano" temps to sear.  Also, being right on top of the coals, you can sear 2-3 good size steaks in about 60-90 seconds per side, so if you're doing more than that, it doesn't take long per steak. 

Greygoose

If i just want to sear (and not elevate over the top ring), wouldn't something like this work: Camping grate

Hillbilly-Hightech

If i just want to sear (and not elevate over the top ring), wouldn't something like this work: Camping grate

@Greygoose - I'm sure that would work.  However, if my assumption of how you're wanting to use it is correct - I'm assuming you are talking about setting the legs into the coals, such that the grate is over top of the coals, but not quite "on" the coals?  Or are you talking about putting the "legs" of that grate on the fire ring?  Or are you talking about trying to set the legs themselves on top of the coals, such that the grate itself is actually over the coals, but not "on" the coals?

If you're talking about sitting that thing over top of the coals such that the "legs" are down into the coals, I can see a couple issues:  1.)  I'd think it would be a bit cumbersome, complicated, and messy to try to work the legs down into the coals.  Not to mention dangerous, unless you're talking about doing it before you light the Egg  2.)  As time goes on, I can imagine soot building up such that it renders the foldable action of the legs useless. 

You asked for any decent "lower cost alternatives" to the spider / grate" combo.  I can think of nothing cheaper (and simpler) than just setting a 13" grate (the ones withOUT the legs) right on top of the coals. 

But, it's up to you - if you do decide to get that camping grate, then you can test it out, take pics, and report back your results!!! 

Best of luck!!

Greygoose

I abandoned my idea of the camping rig due to its dimensions. I originally thought the idea had merit, but after finding out more about the unit, i just need to let it go.The grate is the right size, but the rig will not fit down low enough into the egg to be sturdy and functional. its also 8 inches high which would be a problem if it wont sit on the bottom of the egg. i was planning on setting this us before i lit the fire. 

i'll have to give this "right on the coals " thing a try. I would rather be off the coals as a preferred method, but i'm not quite sure why (given the idea of searing and getting the temps as high as possible). I think those grates are available at home depot for about 8 bucks. If it doesn't work out, a spider and 13ci are definitely on my holiday list. 

I appreciate everyones input....thanx again

Greygoose