XL egg newbie question -- black grill

n2wdw

What's the purpose of the black grill that goes above the firebox?  Are you supposed to only put charcoal up to that level, and then put the black grill thing on top?  when I used the egg this weekend for the first time, I put charcoal to just below the airholes, and didn't use the black grill at all and all seemed okay.

cortguitarman

You put the charcoal on top of the iron grid with the holes in. This allows ash to fall through and air to go in under the coals. You need this to do any low and slow cooks. Your egg will be much more efficient.

calracefan

You should have the fire box with the fire ring setting on top , the cast iron (Black grill) sets in the fire box , charcoal (lump) on top of that , you can fill it all the way to the top of the fire ring if you need. This allows air flow up through your charcoal bed.

n2wdw

Okay, thanks, I feel dumb.  No wonder I had some difficulty in regulating the temperature.  thanks again

cortguitarman

I bet that lower vent door was mighty hot!