Raised grills...

Unknown

Morning all,[p]I have seen some pics of grills that are raised with some threaded bolts with nuts and washers to hold them in place. I think that I might want to give this a try but am unsure of what type of metal can be used that won't release any toxins. Can someone point me in the right direction?[p]And on a similar note, how high can I raise the grill in a large egg?[p]Thanks
Matt.

Charcoal Mike

South O,[p]I made mine (based on suggestion from others) using Stainless Steel. I figured this was a much better bet than zinc or galvanized. These were quite a bit more expensive than standard bolts, but I had the same concerns as you.[p]Mine are 4" long, and put the raised grid just a tad below the lip of the bottom of the egg. This seems to work really well. My guess is that you could probably go up another 2 inches, maybe 3, before the shape of the egg closed in and hit the grid when closing the lid. Not sure why you would need to go any higher though - 4 inches really seems perfect. If you need additional space, you might want to look at the Grill Extender available from BGE.[p]By the way, you can see a picture of mine in the "Yesterday's Ribs" post below.[p]My 2 cents.[p]- Mike[p]

WooDoggies

South O,[p]Nature Boy and Spin were talking at the fest about a 'sweet spot' height for a modified raised grid... I believe it was around 3 1/2" above the firering or just below flush with the bottom lip. Maybe one of those boys will chime in with their thoughts.
I also quizzed YB on the legs he made for his main grid.
He used stainless steel components... as galvanized will fume toxins.
I hope to put one together this week as well.[p]Beautiful spring morning here in the Brandywine River Valley.[p]WD

Nature Boy

WooDoggies,
Howdy John. Yeah, Spin and I seemed to have a similar preference for raised grill direct cooking. On the large, my favorite spot is just below the lip of the bottom shell. When you were here I showed you my little firebrick chunks that I got from splitting a fat firebrick into 3 pieces. I use those 3 chunks more than anything for raising my cooking grid for direct cooking..[p]For indirect, I like to get the food a little higher in the dome area. As djm5x9 has been saying, only good things happen up there! Yowza.[p]Kolsches to you.
NB

WooDoggies

Yo Nature Dude,[p]Yep, over the months djm5x9's logic of cooking higher in the dome has been sinking into this ole noodle.
One of the reasons I want the main grid on legs is to put my bge grill extender higher into the dome for indirect cooks. The smaller diameter of the extender will fit nicely into the dome thus taking advantage of this under-utilized 'convection' area of the egg.
When I would want the grid closer to the fire for a fast cook just flip the main grid so the legs point up.
The simple addition of the legs would give me 3 consistent cooking heights.[p]Hey, has your large gotten any cooks since getting the medium?
I've gotten bit by the mini bug. Ever since I had those steaks you and Qfan did that Sat. night, I know I have to have one! I am zeroing in on a local dealer... soon![p]Blue Moon Wheats.[p]WD[p]

YB

<p />South O,
Here is a couple of pictures of the raised grill I made for the small egg.I also have one for my mini,medium and large eggs.
Larry

[ul][li]Extra gtate[/ul]

Nature Boy

WooDoggies,
I cooked an 8 pound pic-a-nic for mothers day on the large. And some wings. It is the small that has not been used lately. I'll fix that.[p]Ooo. Wheat beers. Mmmm.
Not beer thirty.
NB

YB

<p />South O,
Here is a picture of Earl cooking quail on a raised grill at eggfest.
Larry

Unknown

WooDoggies, I ran down to the local man store (Tractor Supply Co) over lunch and all they had we're zinc coated threaded rods, which I assume are of no use to me. Does anyone have any idea where in the great midwest I might be able to find stainless? I'll do some looking around when I get off of work (it's either that or mow my lawn and if I mow my lawn the neighbors will expect it to be mowed on a regular basis...) but was just curious if someone knew of a place off hand...[p]Thanks
Matt.

The Naked Whiz

South O,
Home Depot and Lowes carry stainless steel bolts. I don't know if they have bolts threaded all the way down to the head, though. You could also use brass threaded rod, I would imagine. What is the melting point of brass?
TNW

Unknown

South O,
Try a marine specialty store. Us boaters love stainless stuff.

Unknown

<p />South O,
Here's the doohickey that I put together originaly just for getting two racks of jerky on, with a drip pan on thew main grid.[p]Since then, however, I've found myself using it as a general purpose grid extender like you describe.[p]I had a hard time finding stainless bolts long enough, until I remembered that the funny little tiny Ace Hardware in my neighborhood always seems to have what I'm looking for. (Except Lump that is!)[p]Give a local Ace a shot, or go hit a boating supply store.[p]By the way, this thing was a huge pain to clean until I just stopped cleaning it in the sink! Now I just cranmk the egg up to 600 or so for about 20 minutes, and its clean as can be.

Charcoal Mike

The Naked Whiz,[p]Yep, mine came from Lowe's - threaded to the end. They were in the little drawers of "specialty" hardware.[p]- Mike

ravnhaus

Nature Boy,
How did you split the bricks. I have some "splits" I would like to downsize for various heights.

Nature Boy

ravnhaus,
Use a brick chisel, and score a line on both sides of the brick. Then a few good wacks. Done.[p]Safety glasses a plus!
Red Beers
NB
[ul][li]Brick Chisel[/ul]

ravnhaus

Nature Boy,
Thanks for the tip. I have visions of a modular multi-level grill system revolving around various sized firebricks.