Bevel up or bevel down?

Jeepster47 · November 2014

Now stop rolling your eyes ... this is a serious question!!

I've read the discussions on how to modify the standard grate to get it to stay in position. Short legs, long legs, etc.. But, someone mentioned placing the bevel up on the fire grate. I took it that they were being sarcastic because intuition says that the bevel goes down to match the slope of the fire box walls at the grate level.

Tried the grate with the bevel up the last two cooks and damn if it doesn't work better than bevel down. No the food doesn't taste different, the grate simply stays in place better when cleaning up afterwards. Surely I'm courting disaster ... companies don't spend money to add a bevel when one isn't needed. The aftermarket grates don't have bevels (at least they don't show in the pictures) and they concentrate the load at the ends of the rods. What gives?

So, either save me from disaster by explaining my folly or try it yourself and see what you think.

Skiddymarker · November 2014

I think the bevel is added to ensure the grate moves during expansion and it helps it to sit with more surface contact. The idea is to keep it in place. Once some ash gets under it, it does tend to slide around more. It should be used bevel down, IMO.

Bevel up will reduce the contact area and make it appear stickier. I doubt it could actually jamb in place - but then mine is in bevel down.

fishlessman · November 2014

if the bevels on the holes are up they will collect more ash on low and slows. if you have one of those fan devices i dont see a problem but if you do it the old fashioned way you might have more difficulties holding temps over night

shtgunal3 · November 2014

I'm almost positive that mine has always been in bevel up. Never had a problem. And for the record I like long legs and short legs.

dldawes1 · November 2014

@ Jeepster47 ...is your egg a MED??

FarmerTom is having the problem with his MED grate flipping and dumping unburned lump into ash compartment when stirring to reload for a new cook. Yes, he could be gentler, maybe, and avoid the flips...but, I know if it was me...I would not want to have to worry about it...it shouldn't flip.

Just curious if it is a design flaw?? I personally, would be afraid to flip the grate due to possible thermal expansion, but it sounds like those above have done it without any consequences.

I wish someone could post a pic of the grate and the 'lip' / 'groove' it sits on/in for our reference. I've never got to look at a MED design yet.

@ shtgunal3 ...I agree long or short legs are both good !!

Jeepster47 · November 2014

@dldawas1 ... mine is a large

I had the same thoughts on thermal expansion, but the fishbone and other aftermarket fire grates are not beveled. Thus the question to the group.

RRP · November 2014

Just for kicks and giggles here are a couple of the ceramic grates that BGE used to use until someone decided to start using a cast iron floor drain! After a few years BGE caught on and switched to metal grates also. @Jeepster47 made a good point this morning in questioning why they bothered adding a bevel in the first place. Could it be some engineer type at BGE years ago mimicked the bevel on the thicker ceramic grates?

dldawes1 · November 2014

Thanks for posting RRP....before my time...but still interesting !!! Always learning around you folks....I love it !!!

FarmerTom · November 2014

I looked at the grate in a Large at Blugrass Grills, Versailles, Ky. It appeared there was an actual seat for the grate to fit in/on, in the bottom of the egg. My medium is a smooth surface all the way to the bottom edge of the firebox, where there is a rounded but very sharp drop into the cleanout area. There is nothing but a smooth surface for the gate to sit in with a medium. The grate is so light that the least bit of extra pressure on one edge will make it flip up and dump the above contents. I don't think changing the grate to bevel up could cause any problem at all. There is nothing for it to bind against. It sets above the opening enough and the firebox slope is so shallow that it would be impossible to bind. I can see where having the bevel up on a MBGE might help prevent accidentally catching its edge with any sort of ash stirring tool. I can't speak to any of the other sizes, but that's my 2 cents on the MBGE. I modified mine with 3 short legs so it couldn't flip, (see this discussion: http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1173232/fire-grate-problem#latest). But I like long legs as well.

dldawes1 · November 2014

Glad you got it fixed Tommy. I've been having a lot of restless nights worried about your fire grate.

Or...maybe it was just the deer meat I've been munching on !!!!!

Glad you got it either way !!!1

anton · November 2014

Bevel down.
:-bd

pgprescott · November 2014

Bevel down to allow for expansion and movement. They used to have problems with the grates being tight in the bottom and expanding when heated and cracking the firebox. All these issues with the piece moving around is by design and intentional.