A little bitty tier let me down

UncleFred

I recently acquired this set of 3 BGE tiered grates.  The only problem was that the center post wasn't included.

No problem, I emailed the mothership (twice) to see how much a replacement post would cost, and got no reply.
I contacted my BGE dealer, whom I trust implicitly, and it took a week for him to get a reply to the effect that BGE has no spare center posts.  The 3 tier grill grates are sold as a complete unit.

O.K. so I'll make my own.

My first thought was a 15" piece of 1.25" OD threaded pipe and 6 nuts.  I could find the unthreaded pipe at my local big box store, not threaded and no nuts.
My next thought was to get a piece of pipe, drill holes in it and secure the grates with cotter pins.  Not as elegant and probably not as tight as my first thought but....

I figured I'd throw it out to you to see if you can come up with another/better solution (Ive even considered a wooden dowel).  I know that at least some of you are machine shop guys.

Please, don't bother with "just buy a Woo" or "just buy a spider"... I've got these, the price was right, and I'd like to see if I can make it work.

Thanks

Thatgrimguy

I would think... you would want to be able to remove each grid at a time while cooking? Or will you just drop the whole rig in and remove it all at once every time you need to move stuff around?

Thatgrimguy

If you only bolted the second one through the pipe and make some sort of cap for the top grid. You could remove the top grid then remove the 2nd grid without having to unscrew anything.

mahenryak

I may have the original part(s) you need--albeit well-used parts.  I have this setup but don't use it any more since I bought my AR setup.  It's been in storage for some time now.  Let me know if you're interested and I'll check again in the box to make sure it's still all there.  I'm not looking to sell it.  I would just give it to you.

pgprescott

mahenryak said:

I may have the original part(s) you need--albeit well-used parts.  I have this setup but don't use it any more since I bought my AR setup.  It's been in storage for some time now.  Let me know if you're interested and I'll check again in the box to make sure it's still all there.  I'm not looking to sell it.  I would just give it to you.

very nice gesture sir. karma coming your way.

HeavyG

You could use unthreaded pipe with stop collars: http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/browse.cfm/stop-collar-1.25-114260-/4,5113.html

UncleFred

Thatgrimguy said:

I would think... you would want to be able to remove each grid at a time while cooking? Or will you just drop the whole rig in and remove it all at once every time you need to move stuff around?

I hadn't given much thought to being able to remove the upper tiers during a cook.  I figured that I could rotate them if necessary to avoid hot spots. I even toyed with making a flange that would fit on the bottom of the large grate then I could just rest it on top of my original grate and have the ability to rotate the whole thing.

Thatgrimguy said:

If you only bolted the second one through the pipe and make some sort of cap for the top grid. You could remove the top grid then remove the 2nd grid without having to unscrew anything.

Hadn't thought of that.  See, that's why I threw it out there.  I knew people would have better or different ideas than I had!

SmokeyPitt

The original part is just a tube with holes drilled in it at various heights with 2 pins to hold the position the 2nd and 3rd tier racks.  Pic of the pin below (quarter for scale). 

UncleFred

mahenryak said:

I may have the original part(s) you need--albeit well-used parts.  I have this setup but don't use it any more since I bought my AR setup.  It's been in storage for some time now.  Let me know if you're interested and I'll check again in the box to make sure it's still all there.  I'm not looking to sell it.  I would just give it to you.

See everybody, what an amazing group we have here.  A guy from San Diego can't get help from the company in Georgia so somebody it ALASKA offers a generous solution!

If you really don't need it, at least let me reimburse you any postage & handling.  (I'll send you a post)

BTW, what part of Alaska do you live in? ..I almost moved to Homer once.

UncleFred

But... I still solicit ideas and innovating solutions to make it better or more versatile.

hondabbq

I too bought this thing thinking about all the extra cooking space.  Ona trip to Washington I even calculated my luggage weight to accommodate it on the way home as it was way cheaper in the US. I haven't used mine in 2 years. I found it awkward to use and the spacing gave me no more than a single homemade raised grid did. Plus the column in the center was in the way all the time.

DaveRichardson

The pipe idea scares me a little.....  I'd be concerned of off-gassing from the metal.  If you could find stainless steel, I'd breathe a little better.  But the easiest way would be the pipe inserted thru the lower unit, the pin to hold it on, another pin to anchor the middle, and so on.

Or just grab some stainless steel bolts and make the tripod/quad legged grid extenders that are out there.....

mahenryak

UncleFred said:

See everybody, what an amazing group we have here.  A guy from San Diego can't get help from the company in Georgia so somebody it ALASKA offers a generous solution!

If you really don't need it, at least let me reimburse you any postage & handling.  (I'll send you a post)

BTW, what part of Alaska do you live in? ..I almost moved to Homer once.

Yep.  There are definitely a lot of nice folks on this site--which is why it is my pleasure to be able to help out in this small way.  I live a little north of Anchorage, about a 5.5 or 6 hour drive (maybe) from Homer.  I spent a few days down there last summer when one of my brothers and his wife came up to visit.  It's definitely an interesting little town.  Yes, do, send me a PM if you'd like the parts.  I'd be happy to send them your way.

MeTed

I use my 3 tier rack all the time. I set up my Egg direct with the bottom grid of the 3 tier rack on the fire ring and just the small top grid placed on the pin in the top hole.This gives you a flat top grid.
 
I use this setup for spatchcock chicken which gets the chicken way up in the dome for perfect meat and perfect skin.

I also use it for pizza. Egg and rack the same way except a pizza stone on the top grid. Perfect every time. But watch your dome thermo, the probe will touch your food so you must remove the clip on the inside of the Egg.

SmokeyPitt

I use mine as well mainly for a raised grid setup like @MeTed described.  Great for getting food way up in the dome. 

UncleFred

SmokeyPitt said:

The original part is just a tube with holes drilled in it at various heights with 2 pins to hold the position the 2nd and 3rd tier racks.  Pic of the pin below (quarter for scale). 

O.K. so I could improvise with maybe a 3-4" bolt with a nut and washer.

UncleFred

DaveRichardson said:

The pipe idea scares me a little.....  I'd be concerned of off-gassing from the metal.  If you could find stainless steel, I'd breathe a little better.

Ya, I hear ya.  The first length of pipe I found was galvanized.  I'm no metallurgist but I don't think that's good in a grill, around food and high heat.

But the easiest way would be the pipe inserted thru the lower unit, the pin to hold it on, another pin to anchor the middle, and so on.

That was my 2nd thought but I thought/think that the upper grates would tend to wobble if only held by a pin?

Or just grab some stainless steel bolts and make the tripod/quad legged grid extenders that are out there.....

That's an option also! Thanks.

mahenryak

@UncleFred I sent you a PM that includes some pics.