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Raising the grid with bolts

markem
markem Posts: 54
in EggHead Forum

I am headed to Home Depot in a couple of hours to get some fire bricks and also get a weber grid and some bolts (or u-bolts) for making a second raised grid.

In the pictures that I've seen on this forum, it looks like people are using 4" bolts.  Is this the recommended?  Has anyone used 6" ones?

I plan to use the raised grid for both direct - after sear - grilling and adding a second layer to smoking operations.  I also plan to use the fire bricks to see how they do for me - can never have too many toys!

Advice and recommendations greatly appreciated.

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Comments

  • buzd504
    buzd504 Posts: 3,877
    I think I used 6 inch bolts. (I think I got a 17" grid)

    Only advice I have is to get stainless.

    I didn't want to bend the bolts to sit on the fire ring, so I got washers for the feet, too (so they can sit on the bottom grid).

    You might consider double-nutting the top washer - mine come loose a lot.
    NOLA
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  • markem
    markem Posts: 54
    Thank you, @buzd504.  I plan to use the double nut and a lock washer.  Thinking hard on setting it up to sit on the bolt heads or just go with u-bolts.  Stainless on the grid is a solid idea - thanks!  

    I did forget to mention that I have a large.  Mea culpa.

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  • BBQ Hippie
    BBQ Hippie Posts: 49
    I used 6 inch stainless steel bolts and washers with an 18 in weber grid. That gets me to the felt line. I then used 4 inch bolts and a 13 in grid to create a third level high in the dome. It's versatile and cheap. Now I want a half moon stone so I can create a cool zone.
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  • grege345
    grege345 Posts: 3,515
    Fwiw I used all thread for adjustment purposes. Nut,washer, nut on the bottom and nut,washer,grid,washer,nut for the raised grid part. I've upgraded since but it worked well. I also used the fire bricks too for a while. Upgraded with woo but that worked well.
    LBGE& SBGE———————————————•———————– Pennsylvania / poconos

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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,455
    edited April 2014
    To each his own, but I have never gone to the trouble of making a standing grate like that mainly because of storage. Two or three fire brick standing on edge with an auxiliary grate on top is so easy, quick and knocks down for storage.
    image
    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
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  • markem
    markem Posts: 54
    Thank you @BBQ_Hippie and @greg345!
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  • markem
    markem Posts: 54
    Very nice setup, @RRP.  Definitely a low space setup!

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  • henapple
    henapple Posts: 16,025
    I love mine. I'd go as long as possible to allow a bb underneath. Carriage head on top and you'll need the washers on the bottom. Stainless is gonna run you high tho.
    Green egg, dead animal and alcohol. The "Boro".. TN 
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  • Jeremiah
    Jeremiah Posts: 6,412
    Fwiw I used 4 inch ss bolts. Cost about $16 including the grid. Works ok but I still want either an ar or a swing rack. image
    Slumming it in Aiken, SC. 
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  • henapple
    henapple Posts: 16,025
    As you can see...I'm a clean freak
    Green egg, dead animal and alcohol. The "Boro".. TN 
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  • DMW
    DMW Posts: 13,836
    I would say use 3 bolts instead of 4. I started out with 4 and recently took 1 off and moved the other to the center of the opposite side of the 2. Less expense and less interference with the food below.
    They/Them
    Morgantown, PA

    XL BGE - S BGE - KJ Jr - HB Legacy - BS Pizza Oven - 30" Firepit - King Kooker Fryer -  PR72T - WSJ - BS 17" Griddle - XXL BGE  - BS SS36" Griddle - 2 Burner Gasser - Pellet Smoker
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  • Canugghead
    Canugghead Posts: 13,707
    edited April 2014
    From my pre AR and extender days, shown upside down ... 
    Notched washer below the grid allows bolt to be closer to rim. Carriage bolt head serves as feet, no need for additional set of washers and nuts.
    image
    canuckland
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  • Durangler
    Durangler Posts: 1,122
    henapple said:

    As you can see...I'm a clean freak

    OMG!!! =)) =))
    XL BGE, 22" Weber Red Head, Fiesta Gasser .... Peoria,AZ
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  • henapple
    henapple Posts: 16,025
    @DMW‌ ...+1 on the three bolts. The only thing I question about the bricks is losing room on the bottom? I also like that I can take it off and set it on the table. I have a swing rack attachment that I never use. I'd like an ar but really just don't need one right now.
    Green egg, dead animal and alcohol. The "Boro".. TN 
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  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
    Materials I used to build it (all SS) (4) 5" 7/16 carriage bolts, (4) flat washers, (4) nuts, (4) round nose nuts and SS grid. Pretty simple set up and total cost was around $45 or so. Can easily be removed and can cook below w/ no issues. imageimage
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
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  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
    +1 @henapple‌... With this set up I'm fine w/ out AR. Would it be cool? Sure but, this setup has allowed me to do Spatchcock raised, pizza way up in the dome, brisket etc etc. Hasn't failed me yet. IMHO it has been worth the $45 or so cost to build.
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
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  • henapple
    henapple Posts: 16,025
    I didn't have near that much $ in mine but I didn't use ss hardware
    Green egg, dead animal and alcohol. The "Boro".. TN 
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  • markem
    markem Posts: 54
    I went with the weber 22" grid, 4 1/2 x 6" stainless bolts.  Bolt head down (resting on the bottom grid) and lock washers on the nuts.  The 6" bolts puts the top grid at the "just fits" level.

    Love playing around with this egg!

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