Welcome to the EGGhead Forum - a great place to visit and packed with tips and EGGspert advice! You can also join the conversation and get more information and amazing kamado recipes by following Big Green Egg to Experience our World of Flavor™ at:
Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Pinterest  |  Youtube  |  Vimeo
Share your photos by tagging us and using the hashtag #BigGreenEgg.

Want to see how the EGG is made? Click to Watch

CNC fire grate

Lostinmadnez
Lostinmadnez Posts: 21
edited November -0001 in EggHead Forum
I saw this a while back 179311_172178616158709_100000997169022_364510_208779_n.jpg

Apart from looking nice, which is important buried under the coal, I was intrigued by the larger openings. Would I get a better sear if more air can get through? I do understand that small pieces would fall down easier, but the holes itself dont llook bigger than the ones on the standard one. Is there a reason why the Eggs standard fire grate looks the way it does?
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • TRPIV
    TRPIV Posts: 278
    Seems to me like it would waste more coal than the original.

    Sure is pretty. Reminds me of the wheels off a Pontiac Trans Am.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lostinmadnez
    Lostinmadnez Posts: 21
    The holes arent bigger, not necessarily waste more coal, ash would move through faster.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TRPIV
    TRPIV Posts: 278
    Lostinmadnez wrote:
    ...I was intrigued by the larger openings. Would I get a better sear if more air can get through? I do understand that small pieces would fall down easier, but the holes itself don't look bigger than the ones on the standard one...

    This is why I thought the holes were bigger. Now I'm really confused. If the holes aren't bigger... how would ash move through quicker? :unsure:

    Because there are more of them?... then I'm back to my original statement - it looks like more coal would fall through the grate. And it still looks like a Trans Am wheel to me.

    ;)


    T
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 2Fategghead
    2Fategghead Posts: 9,624
    Let us know how it works for you as you use it. :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ranger ray
    ranger ray Posts: 812
    that's a thing of beauty..... you should market them!..... rr
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Spring Chicken
    Spring Chicken Posts: 10,255
    Last year a fellow Egghead heard my complaints about the BGE cast iron fire grate cracking, so he sent me this and asked me to test it.

    StainlessSteelGrate.jpg

    Here's the first test results:

    th_FirstTimeforStainlessSteelGrate.jpg

    The holes were slightly larger resulting in a considerable amount of unburned pieces of lump mixed in with ash in the fire pit. But for some reason I never really had that problem again after the first time.

    I'm still using the grate although it has sort of 'curled' upward slightly across the middle. I think it may be due to the layout of the holes. Each row of holes creates a sort of weak line, with the weakest at the widest part. But I could be wrong.

    I suppose I could hammer it flat again but for what reason? It will just curl again, possibly weakening the area.

    I suspect that you will have a full firebox after each cook with holes that big. And the reduced amount of metal may reduce the grate's life considerably.

    You could also get yourself one of these custom made for your grid and your grate.

    SpringChickenGrid2.jpg

    Yes, my wife spoils me.

    Spring "It's Great To Have A Good Grate" Chicken
    Spring Texas USA
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SmokeyPitt
    SmokeyPitt Posts: 10,490
    It appears to me like the holes are bigger, so I think you might loose some of the smaller pieces. I would think you will get a hotter fire. However, the fire gets pretty darn hot with the standard grate :). Unless it is clogged, but a wiggle rod can fix that right quick.

    If you don't have a wiggle rod, I would get one of those first. About 2 bucks at the hardware store if you don't mind bending it yourself.

    Which came first the chicken or the egg?  I egged the chicken and then I ate his leg. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lostinmadnez
    Lostinmadnez Posts: 21
    I try that first. Thanks, heard someone suggesting to screw 4 screws through the standard grate so it doesnt dislocate when using the wiggle rod. Is that worth the trouble.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • The Naked Whiz
    The Naked Whiz Posts: 7,777
    Yes, you should have less trouble with clogged holes and get better airflow. I've used a grate made from expanded stainless steel. Yes, small chips can fall through, but they burn down below and small chips in your fire block airflow, so I don't find it a negative. I'm about to try a grate from High-Que which will allow more airflow also. We'll see how it holds up to the heat.
    The Naked Whiz
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 2Fategghead
    2Fategghead Posts: 9,624
    I have in the past moved the lump grate while using the wiggle rod but, I haven't added hardware to the lump grate. I suggest being careful. I may add hardware to my lump grate but, for a different purpose. I would do it to raise the lump grate a little off the fire box so I might get more air to the burning lump. I think "stike" come up with that idea but, not sure. ;)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JDubOK
    JDubOK Posts: 6
    I have a new grate from High-Que on order as well. I will be sure to post my thoughts after I use it, but I'm anticipating much better airflow/control. We'll see.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lostinmadnez
    Lostinmadnez Posts: 21
    Nice plug, but 32.88+shipping for a high que? I just drill some holes into heavy duty expanded and add 3 legs like described here:http://www.eggheadforum.com/index.php?option=com_simpleboard&func=view&id=469589&catid=1
    I always read the grate has a 9" diameter, yet, the forum entry suggests just 7.75"?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JDubOK
    JDubOK Posts: 6
    Just dropped it in and it fit perfectly. Going to do some pork chops tonight. We'll see how much difference it makes.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JDubOK
    JDubOK Posts: 6
    Fire lit much easier and came up to temp very fast. Much improved over stock. Seemed like temp responded more quickly to more subtle adjustments to the intake and vent, but that will take a little more use to say for certain.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories