Raised grill newbie question

fstylz21

I have a question on raising the grill on my BGE. I don't want to buy any accessories right now, so I am debating using fire bricks or bolts to add another raised cooking surface. Can anyone shed some light on which they like better? I am only moderately mechanically inclined and I would like a second raised grate that is easy to move. Thanks you so much for your help!!!

shadowcaster

either the way will get you raised. If you go with the bolts and a second grid it will allow for multilevel cooking. 

dldawes1

Here is what I did to start out...got a new design in the build.  Will post picks soon. Both are copies of other folk's designs here in the forum. I'd give specific credit but I have read like 100 million posts, so don't have time to keep track of every brilliant idea's source.  Sorry !

 

Welcome to the forum,

and the addiction,

Donnie

dldawes1

Link did not stay pasted and edit message did not work.....Internet terrible here in this weather....

http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1161265/new-saying-around-the-house

Trying again,

Donnie

fstylz21

Thanks for the picture @dldawes1. That is what I am leaning towards, but are you able to easily remove the new grate to either cook on the one underneath or use both at the same time?

Cookinbob

I use 3 flower pots. Could not be easier

fishlessman

did it with bricks for a long time before getting an adjustable rig, lots of ways to set it up.

if your looking to make one, heres old daves contraptio, scroll all the way down to the bottom of the link

http://olddavespo-farm.blogspot.com/search/label/Ceramic Cooking Contraption

fstylz21

Thanks so much @cookinbob and @fishlessman....great pics. Although the flower pots and bricks look easy, i think I may give a try at building one because the first two options take up some grill space. I will post pics when I (hopefully) get it together!!

Mickey

You might want to cover bricks with HD Alum foil. Just makes them cleaner looking...

dldawes1

@FSTYLZ21...Very easy, the nuts and washers on the bottom provide a bottom on the three legs that sit right on the bottom rack...just lift it off. It will also sit straddle of the roast and rib rack (my top rack is only 12 inches diam. I have not had time to go buy an 18" yet. When I do, I have already built this swing-away support for it.

@SUMOCONNELL....Thanks for this link

http://winnipeggheads.com/2013/02/18/how-to-make-a-home-made-raised-grid-for-a-large-big-green-egg/

I saw a post or a website with this raised grid system with pivot post (18" on top may even design for this 3-level application).....I am building it now with a SS grate (not CI). I will post picks upon completion this weekend.

 

 

 

fstylz21

thanks @dldawes1....I took your advice and went to home depot for parts. I put it together with an 18.5 inch grill grate but there is a lot of room on either side. I think I may need a 22 inch grate?

dldawes1

Just according to how high in the dome you might want to go ????

I measured mine and decided for my top grate (maybe my middle later on) needed to be 18" to go about 6" above the main grate.

Then if you decide to raise the main grate to felt line....

So it is just a personal decision, I think....we have to learn what we need by experience and what we like to cook and how we like to cook it !!!!

So many options with the BGE....

I love it !

Thanks,

Donnie

fstylz21

@dldawes1...I want the raised great to be at the felt line and fill up the entire bowl.as of right now there are a few inches on either side of the 18 inch grill and the bowl.

fstylz21

Haha....whoops! I just measured and apparently bought the 14 inch one. That makes a lot more sense now.

boatbum

I have been using 3 pavers ( Home Depot .99 a piece).   Just saw the pic with two longer ones - like that much better.

Just not sure I am ready to waste the $2.97 I spent. 

 

Oh well, I might as well go for it.

fstylz21

The reason I didn't go the paver route is because from the pics I saw, they took up grate space. Or if they fit into tgd fire ring, they could become unstable if the egg was accidently bumped. I am nof at all mechanically inclined and I put the bolt piece together in five minutes. Nice and sturdy. Now I have a 17 inch grill grate raised to felt level. And since I bought the wrong one, I am going to keep the 13.5 one and build another bolt piece to put that atop the new raised grate setup for extra room if I do a big cook. Sooooooooo happy I got a BGE for Xmas!!!

dldawes1

That is my thinking too.

More racks = more food !!!

Donnie