Broken Fire Grate

jtcBoynton

The ceramic fire grate on my large BGE broke into two pieces today. I am deciding on what to replace it with. Kick Ash Basket, High-Q grate, or cast iron BGE grate. Suggestions welcome.

Tinyfish

Kick Ash Basket or High Que grate would be perfect. You will be happy with either one.

jaydub58

I have had a High-Q for quite a while and love it.

That said, I have a KAB due to be delivered tomorrow.

Either would be a very good choice.

Chubbs

High que

Mattman3969

^^^^^ +1

RRP

jtcBoynton said:

The ceramic fire grate on my large BGE broke into two pieces today. I am deciding on what to replace it with. Kick Ash Basket, High-Q grate, or cast iron BGE grate. Suggestions welcome.

actually a 4th option if you want another idea is a cast iron floor drain cover, which is cheaper than a BGE cast iron. I used one for years!

BYS1981

I'd replace it wig the free option. Lol

pgprescott

KAB. I'm sold.

RRP

For sake of some people who may not even know what you mean about a broken ceramic grate here's a picture of what BGE used to use. These relics are from my large and small eggs. While breakage was not that common air flow problems were!

jtcBoynton

+1 on the air flow issues. The ceramic fire grates do not have many holes. It doesn't take much to block enough to cause temp problems. I have been thinking about getting a grate with more air flow, but was still using my old one. Can't say I'm too disappointed that it broke, because now I don't have to justify getting a better one. It's broke and "must be replaced".

RRP

BTW by the time my ceramic grate broke in my medium BGE had already switched to the cast iron type so replacement was a breeze! But I wish you well.

stlcharcoal

Check out the Fishbones grate from smokeware.com

jtcBoynton

RRP said:

jtcBoynton said:

The ceramic fire grate on my large BGE broke into two pieces today. I am deciding on what to replace it with. Kick Ash Basket, High-Q grate, or cast iron BGE grate. Suggestions welcome.

actually a 4th option if you want another idea is a cast iron floor drain cover, which is cheaper than a BGE cast iron. I used one for years!

any suggestions on where to find one. I see cast iron drain covers that would work, except they all seem to be painted. I am concerned about burning paint fumes. Would a hot burn or two remove the paint?

SmokeyPitt

I think I would try the kick ash basket.  They are a little more expensive now ($50), but it seems it would be nice because they prevent the air holes on the sides of the firebox from clogging as well.  I haven't tried it (already had high-Qs on both of my eggs). 

If you need something in a hurry and you happen to have Amazon Prime then the high-que is available from Amazon. 

http://amzn.com/B004XU1FES

Shiff

I'm very happy with my Hi-Q grate.

RRP

jtcBoynton said:

any suggestions on where to find one. I see cast iron drain covers that would work, except they all seem to be painted. I am concerned about burning paint fumes. Would a hot burn or two remove the paint?

To date I have purchased 2 of them from a plumbing supply company locally. Typically big box stores do not carry speciality items like that which are commonplace in the supply company business. Yes they had been painted, but I didn't even bother to try to clean it off and I don't even recall any off smell the first time I used them.

Jeepster47

RRP said:

... Yes they had been painted, but I didn't even bother to try to clean it off and I don't even recall any off smell the first time I used them.

Oh Ron, you can't lob it in like that without someone hitting it out of the park.  Now, I wouldn't say it, but surely someone else will speak up and say; "Ron, even burning paint can't overcome the smell of Royal Oak."
:-j

RRP

Jeepster47 said:

RRP said:

... Yes they had been painted, but I didn't even bother to try to clean it off and I don't even recall any off smell the first time I used them.

Oh Ron, you can't lob it in like that without someone hitting it out of the park.  Now, I wouldn't say it, but surely someone else will speak up and say; "Ron, even burning paint can't overcome the smell of Royal Oak."
:-j

OK - score stands at Tom 1 Ron 0 Actually I vaguely recall thinking about burning it off, but I scatched right through the paint with a screwdriver. I suppose if someone is worried they can just toss it in on top the coals after a cook and it will be burnt off that way.

jtcBoynton

Thanks to all who offered their advice.  I decided to get the Kick Ash Bucket.  Arrived today. There is a pork butt thawing in the frig for tomorrow.  

Ladeback69

The only time I have had an air flow problem was when I was doing a low and slow on a brisket and it started to rain. I just opened the top and bottom a little more. I will wait fore mine to break before I replace it. I just seen how much the Kick Ash Basket would be for my XL and I think I will wait for a while. @jtcBoynton‌, good luck with yours. It looks cool and would make clean up nice and it should move some air tell the bottom gets filled with ash. I would think you may go through a little more lump though.  What have others experienced?

grege345

I've been happy with the KAB. The hi-que is off to the side for now. So much easier to clean the egg. Why they don't have one for the small is beyond me.

jtcBoynton

The old ceramic grates have fewer air holes than the newer cast iron grates. It didn't take much for small pieces to block some of them. I wouldn't have changed if the grate hadn't broken. Picked the kick ash primarily for ease of cleaning. The one concern I have with all of the very open aftermarket grates is possible heat impacts on the bottom of the egg. The ceramic grate does provide a heat barrier between the fire and the egg bottom. With the open grate, my egg's bottom will be getting hotter than before. I am glad I recently changed from having the egg having only the ceramic feet sitting on the wood shelf to a table nest with fire bricks.