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Grill Grate Supports

geoff7877
geoff7877 Posts: 35
in EggHead Forum
#1. I find it difficult to justify prices on specialty products that could "possibly" be made from normal day to day materials. I have to AT LEAST try.

#2. I needed a solution for a two tiered grate system so I can cook 2 pizzas at the same time on my medium egg. I first tried the long bolts attached to a round grill grate. Didn't work because the bolts got in the way of  what will be the bottom rack pizza stone. Through some research I found some "grill mates" supports online and that seemed like a fairly easy solution.

#3. Headed to the hardware store and bought a 1/8" X 1" X 48" long piece of steel and off I go! I cut each support to fit where the top grill grate needs to be. I bent each support into shape and then started my top grate "feet" if you will. I cut them to size and bent them into shape and bolted everything together. 

I would take some pics of the finished product, but I'm cooking ribs right now and have at least an hour to go. Pics of the finish and installed mates to come. Here's what I have so far.
Petaluma, CA
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Comments

  • KSwoll
    KSwoll Posts: 129
    Looks good. I just recently added a medium to my XL. This might be solution I can use for a two tier system. Thanks for sharing
    XL, Large, Medium, and Mini Max
    Northern Virgina
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  • geoff7877
    geoff7877 Posts: 35
    Wish I would've taken pics of the process. Didn't think of it until I was almost done. Hope they work!
    Petaluma, CA
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  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,109
    Nice, would like to see a pic in action.
    ______________________________________________
    I love lamp..
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  • geoff7877
    geoff7877 Posts: 35
    Maybe tomorrow night
    Petaluma, CA
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  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
    Interesting idea. +1 ready to see a POV in action pic. Did this help you with clearance and access?
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
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  • geoff7877
    geoff7877 Posts: 35
    Here are some pics of the grate extensions. It's a little tricky to get everything together with these things since the opening is smaller on top. The fire ring doesn't settle all the way down to the fire box which concerns me. The metal is just barely too thick so there about a 1/4" gap on one side of the ring. I don't want any undue pressure on the fire ring or more importantly, the base. I was thinking of possibly installing some kind of shim(s) to make the fire ring rest in a more comfortable position without adding any extra pressure. Will a uniform 1/4" gap between the fire ring and fire box damage the base from allowing too much heat between that gap? And last but not least, am I WAY over thinking this? 

    That is all...
    Petaluma, CA
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  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,109
    I would shim the fire ring up so you have more play and alleviate any pressure from thermal expansion.  Play it safe, the hotter components expand more than the cooler.  Play is good.  Nice job rigging up a second level.
    ______________________________________________
    I love lamp..
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  • geoff7877
    geoff7877 Posts: 35
    Good point on the expansion. I'm thinking maybe some small unglazed tile scraps or something. Any ideas there? Thanks
    Petaluma, CA
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  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
    Nice ingenuity!
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
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  • geoff7877
    geoff7877 Posts: 35
    edited June 2014
    NPHuskerFL said:
    Nice ingenuity!

    Thank you! It was actually pretty easy to make. Just some measuring and making the bends on the bench vice.
    Petaluma, CA
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  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
    How tight are your tolerances. I use mine for everything from L&S to pizza. So I can see where thermal expansion could possibly be a concern if there is no room for that expansion.
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
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  • geoff7877
    geoff7877 Posts: 35
    Tight enough that the fire ring doesn't rest on top of the fire box.
    Petaluma, CA
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  • geoff7877
    geoff7877 Posts: 35
    So, I'm thinking of cutting some pieces of unglazed quarry tile to use as shims. I guess I could just cut enough to make a full circle so no heat and flames will make its way though the opening between the fire box and ring, to the base. With the fire being so hot, I don't want to risk leaving any opening to the base or again, am I over thinking. Obviously the fire box and ring were put in place to protect the base... 
    Petaluma, CA
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  • geoff7877
    geoff7877 Posts: 35
    So today was the day that I needed this thing to work. I made some quick shims for my fire ring which gave the extensions plenty of room and took all the pressure off the fire ring. It worked perfect! two pizzas at once on my medium. I was able to crank out 4 pizzas pretty fast today and they were incredible. The bottom is the prime spot with a 2nd stone just above it. I get all that het on top of the pizza. Then I just moved the top pizza to the bottom to finish it off.  
    Petaluma, CA
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  • apinion
    apinion Posts: 470
    Please chime in everyone.....but I think geoff might have an idea here.  From what I can tell, the general thought is that of course a BGE can't replicate a woof fired oven because we can't lift the pizza towards the end for the toppings...

    Wouldn't this 2 stone method push some heat back down towards the top of the pizza? Takers?
    Louisianian by birth, Louisianian by death. Austinite for now...
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  • Mickey
    Mickey Posts: 19,768
    edited June 2014
    Very much like the GrateMates that Chubby made for the Small. Had both sizes and worked very well. http://www.nakedwhiz.com/productreviews/gratemates/gratemates.htm Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos
    Salado TX & 30A  FL: Egg Family: 3 Large and a very well used Mini, added a Mini Max when they came out (I'm good for now). Just given a Mini to add to the herd. 

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  • geoff7877
    geoff7877 Posts: 35
    I got the idea from the grate mates. Found it to be the best solution for adding a second stone without interfering with the space needed for the bottom rack. I needed a taller solution than what the grate mates offered. Worked perfect on the medium with the limited space and yes, the heat from the top stone helped cook the top of the pizza on the bottom.
    Petaluma, CA
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  • Chubby
    Chubby Posts: 2,955
    edited June 2014

    Thanks Mickey!!

    I think he may just be on to something there...(albeit about 8 years late)..lol!!

    On second thought...those do look somewhat "vaguely" familiar... ;))


    Evans



    I spent most of my money on good bourbon, and bad women...the rest, I just wasted!!
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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,453
    Chubby said:

    Thanks Mickey!!

    I think he may just be on to something there...(albeit about 8 years late)..lol!!

    On second thought...those do look somewhat "vaguely" familiar... ;))


    Evans



    Evans - speaking of being late - last time we chatted you were going to your garage to see if you still had any you would sell me...guess you never made it to the garage, huh? LOL
    Ron
    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
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  • Chubby
    Chubby Posts: 2,955
    edited June 2014

    Ron...

    You are cruel, but if I remember...correct...lol!!

    Life's taken me some far flung places in the last year, but I'm back home now...at least for the back half of the year, (save part of the Fall).

    I don't remember speaking of "selling" you anything...but if I had/have'm...I would'a/would just send'm along your way. They were the "taller" supports...yes?

    I'm not around here very often as you can tell...just I'll get back with you if you'd like?

    Evans


    I spent most of my money on good bourbon, and bad women...the rest, I just wasted!!
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  • DMW
    DMW Posts: 13,836
    @Chubby If you have some inventory you are looking to sell, I'm interested. I had emailed you at the address listed on TNW about 6 months ago.
    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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