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Question in Two Parts??

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B747crew
B747crew Posts: 158
in EggHead Forum

1)  I'm not real happy with the airflow up through the bottom grate on my MEDIUM BGE once I get some ash buildup.. I wonder if I could use a large grate and raise the area below the grate??? Anyone ever done that??


2)  If I want to sear a steak is adding dried oak for instance to get the blaze really going as long as I don't overheat the egg


Thanks

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  • Eggcelsior
    Eggcelsior Posts: 14,414
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    You can do either. I'd recommend a hi que grate(or the kick ash basket) if you are still using the regular grate. This fixed my ash issues when I had my medium. You aren't going to overheat the egg, so wood would(heh) be fine, you just may have uneven heating.

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  • tarheelmatt
    tarheelmatt Posts: 9,867
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    Echo what EggC said.  I would like to get a Kick Ash for mine, however I got one of the fire grates below (think I got it off Ebay for cheap) and it works very well.  If something happens to it though, I'll get a KAB.  

    Picture below is not mine, but one from Google (I think from this site).  

    Image result for medium big green egg fire grate


    2 - Wouldn't be an issue, though if getting good air to lump charcoal, you shouldn't have an issue with "getting the flame going".  Then your oak is there for the smoke only, not as fuel.  
    ------------------------------
    Thomasville, NC
    My YouTube Channel - The Hungry Hussey
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  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
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    1) Get one of the aftermarket fire grates mentioned.

    2) I've never tried cooking over a wood fire in the egg. Always heard it really doesn't work, just smoke. I suppose if you left the dome and bottom vent open, maybe. But it's a charcoal grill, not a stick burner. I think the charcoal will get hotter than wood.

    I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

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  • Rte1985
    Rte1985 Posts: 304
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    I agree with everything above. Upgrade fire grate and I have had my rockwood lump up to 700 with bge fire grate no problems
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  • tarheelmatt
    tarheelmatt Posts: 9,867
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    The medium with aftermarket fire grate, can be up to temp super fast.  It's a firecracker for sure.  My go to cooker for quick meals.  
    ------------------------------
    Thomasville, NC
    My YouTube Channel - The Hungry Hussey
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  • jtcBoynton
    jtcBoynton Posts: 2,814
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    2)  If I want to sear a steak is adding dried oak for instance to get the blaze really going as long as I don't overheat the egg
    The burning wood will have a nice colored flame.  But it will actually burn at a lower temp than charcoal - counter to what you want to do. Visible flame does not equate to higher temps.
    Southeast Florida - LBGE
    In cooking, often we implement steps for which we have no explanations other than ‘that’s what everybody else does’ or ‘that’s what I have been told.’  Dare to think for yourself.
     
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  • B747crew
    B747crew Posts: 158
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    jtcBoynton said:
    2)  If I want to sear a steak is adding dried oak for instance to get the blaze really going as long as I don't overheat the egg
    The burning wood will have a nice colored flame.  But it will actually burn at a lower temp than charcoal - counter to what you want to do. Visible flame does not equate to higher temps.


    Thanks to all who responded.


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  • northGAcock
    northGAcock Posts: 15,164
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    No issues with my medium.....I do clean out often however.
    Ellijay GA with a Medium & MiniMax

    Well, I married me a wife, she's been trouble all my life,
    Run me out in the cold rain and snow
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  • B747crew
    B747crew Posts: 158
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    northGAcock said:
    No issues with my medium.....I do clean out often however.
    Yep  About every time for me
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