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

Closer to the Coals

Wondering if anyone has tried adding a smaller grate (13-14")-- just laying below the GreenEgg cooking grate?  I am thinking if I put the lump charcoal on the smaller grate, I can get the coals close to the cooking grate without having to fill the grill to max.   

I have removed the ceramic ring and put the grate right on the firebox in the past--- and it works well, but the grate is then very deep and hard to flip the steaks.   I figured this might work.     Any thoughts? 

Comments

  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 34,583
    its easier with briquettes, lump does not burn well in a thin layer. i get a good sear at standard height with dome temp around 750 to 800f
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
  • lousubcap
    lousubcap Posts: 36,770
    If you want to get up close and personal with the coals for me the easiest solution is to run caveman with finishing the steaks.  You just need to be quick and have a long pair of tongs.  You may want to give that technique a look via the search function.    Dome open for the process.  FWIW-
    Louisville; Rolling smoke in the neighbourhood.  Life is too short for light/lite beer!  Seems I'm livin in a transitional period. CHEETO (aka Agent Orange) makes Nixon look like a saint.  
  • Legume
    Legume Posts: 15,936
    I put a ci grid on the lower level of a woo when I want to get up close and personal with the lava.  Keeping it from rusting is a **** - next time will find a heavy gauge ss grid, but it works great if you’re cooking something that can’t go caveman, or you just don’t want to.
    THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER
  • stlcharcoal
    stlcharcoal Posts: 4,759
    Just fill the firebox up.....why not?  It's not using any more charcoal if you're keeping the dome down and the air metered.

    Other option, Kick Ash Basket with a firebrick or two below?

    I wouldn't over think it though......just fill it up and be done.

  • JohnEggGio
    JohnEggGio Posts: 1,430
    I use the spider and 13” CI grid from CGS.  Spider can be inverted to get the grid right down on the coals.  With the spider you can raise or lower your grid ~1.5 or 2 inches.  Used together with other gear gives me a lot of flexibility for direct and indirect cooks. 
    Maryland, 1 LBGE