raised grid

Canugghead

Had trouble figuring out how to use regular washers to attached carriage bolt securely to grid. Ended up using fender washer but bolts were too far from edge, so I notched the washers on the underside.

BulldawgEgger

What size set up and what not is that?

Canugghead

Sorry not sure I understood your question but let me elaborate:

Shown is the standard large porcelain grid. 6"x3/8" carriage bolt, I cut off a slice of the fender washer with a hand grinder. The bolt heads rest on the fire ring for raised direct cook. The grid can be lowered by adjusting the nuts.

I can also reconfigure for indirect cook two tier setup with platesetter, followed by porcelain grid, then another smaller weber charcoal grid with these bolts attached and resting on the porcelain.

Let me know if I didn't answer your question.

Mr. & Mrs Potatohead

Nice set up!! Canugghead.
I posed this question some time back but don’t recall a reply:
Does it make a difference what type of material (steel) the bolt is made of?
I want to make a raised grid too and I was looking for the raw (black) steel bolts that I remember from a goodly number of years ago…No luck! I found plated, stainless steel and cold dipped.
I’m sure I want to stay any from the dipped / galvanized…But do I need to go with the stainless, or can I get by with the plated (cadmium I believe) ones that are a whole lot cheaper?

jeffinsgf

Spuds,

Get out your trusty local Yellow Pages. In there under fasteners you'll find a specialty store that caters to business, but sells to the public (every town over about 25,000 has at least one). They should have the black oxide, unplated bolts. You might also check out an ag supply store -- Tractor Supply, Fleet & Farm, etc.

Either one of these options should let you find unplated bolts, but if they don't, the stainless ones will be significantly less expensive than a Big Box.

Mr. & Mrs Potatohead

Soooo...
You're saying "Don't use any plated bolt" for this project??!!?? And that either black or SS is the best option.
I want to do it right...So, thanks in advance.

mo egg

i have stainless and no problem

Unknown

I went with stainless for peace of mind. If you search on 'stainless' in the forum you'll find many discussions/debates on stainless or not. I found an industrial fastener supplier in the local market, so pricing is much better than big box, still expensive though.

jeffinsgf

There are valid arguments to both sides of the plated/unplated debate. I don't have to worry about it because I have a big box of uplated 6 inch carriage head bolts that have been sitting on my junk shelf for probably 10 or 15 years. Didn't remember that until you brought it up yesterday, so, Thank You!

Unknown

two tier setup with platesetter on Large...cut off 1/4 to 1/2 inch to prevent hitting the dome.

Unknown

wow, you can share or sell your treasure

thirdeye

That's a slick idea. The simple ones are usually the best..... On many of my gadgets that use nuts & washers, I tack weld the nut to the washer. Do you think something like that would come in handy?

The Naked Whiz

You can also bend the bolts if the problem is that the bolts don't rest on the fire ring. I did this on one of my raised grids.

Unknown

That's neat too but for my purpose the bolts will still be too far from the grid edge...making it difficult to position the legs securely on the fire ring. Also, welding is beyond my limited handyman skills. Another concern I have is the welded washer pressing and rotating on the porcelain when nut is tightened. A buddy of mine suggested bending the washer into a step formation (think zig zag with 90* angles) but it's not an easy task without special tool.

BulldawgEgger

Yeah thats perfect I have a section of cast iron grids i want to put on top for getting great grill marks and sears cause I eat with my eyes