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Does anyone else dislodge their charcoal grate...

TheDirtyBurger
TheDirtyBurger Posts: 846
edited November -1 in EggHead Forum
Does anyone else dislodge their charcoal grate when stirring up lump?

My large is older and I never had any problem with the original charcoal grate. When I got my small I noticed if I stirred the lump with my small ash tool the charcoal grate would move or even flip over. The other day I cleaned out my large and put in a new charcoal grate Bethe old one was cracking. Again when I stirred with the ash too for the large it would dislodge. I have it round side down. Its starting to be a pain. Any ideas?
thanks
Tim

Comments

  • Goody
    Goody Posts: 102
    My large is about 6 months old. I sometime have the same problem. If I get too quick or too hard with stirring the ash it can move some from time to time. I have mine beveled side down.

    Don't have a real solution for you, but can just sympathize.
  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 25,880
    gotta be gentle there big boy! :woohoo:

    Actually if it really bothers you that much you can drill 3 holes near the edges and then run a bolt down and secure with nuts - that will solve the problem. Give me a couple minutes and I'll post a picture of my large.
    Re-gasketing America one yard at a time.
  • pci
    pci Posts: 249
    I have the same problem with my med. When it happens have to take out all the lump to get it back in place.A pain in the rear.
  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 25,880
    creates legs like this
    IMG_2408.jpg
    Re-gasketing America one yard at a time.
  • consider getting a turbo grate

    much better performance and eliminates that issue
  • RRP has a good idea
    I find if if I make sure my ash tool edge is not down on an angle when working around the edges of the grate the problem does nto happen often. I think I will try RRP method.
  • thirdeye
    thirdeye Posts: 7,428
    charcoalgrate.jpg

    I'm guesing you have the grate in correctly, with the beveled edge resting against the firebox? It's easy to get it in upside down...
    Happy Trails
    ~thirdeye~

    Barbecue is not rocket surgery
  • Tim - Here is my solution to your problem:
    Gratespacer01.jpg
    Made out of 1/2" dia. mild steel round bar.

    Gratespacer02.jpg
    Here it is in place.

    Gratespacer03.jpg
    And here is the grate in place with a 1/2" gap all around.

    Hope this helps.
  • Mike that looks gooder'n than any I have seen.
    I'm sure ya gonna bring me one to the Mega Mini Fest.
    Thanks in advance, your the best. :)
    Jim

    I'm only hungry when I'm awake!

    Okeechobee FL. Winter

    West Jefferson NC Summer

  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 25,880
    I didn't say it, but it's best if you use bolts long enough so they actually rest on the bottom of your egg. Trust me you can stir like a mad man and she won't tilt!
    Re-gasketing America one yard at a time.
  • I stir my old lump and ashes with the tapered tips of a very long pair of aluminum tongs I keep hanging on the Egg. Much lighter weight than the ash tool and much more effective. It does the job quickly and only when I put too much force into it does it knock the grate out of place. Using the ash tool is like hitting a badminton birdie with a baseball bat.

    You guys! Why does everything have to be a project?

    Judy in San Diego and br-r-r-r it's chilly!
    Judy in San Diego
  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 25,880
    You guys! Why does everything have to be a project?
    :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

    Tinkering is my game!
    Re-gasketing America one yard at a time.
  • Ron,

    Did you weld dowels in the air holes. Any noticable loss of airflow? ;)

    Steve

    Steve 

    Caledon, ON

     

  • Well, I hit the nail on the head, didn't I!

    Thanks for the laugh of the day. I have four slabs of babybacks being Guru'd as we speak, Hour 3, and after the last spritz I have nothing to do for the moment but tweak you.

    Best,
    Judy
    Judy in San Diego
  • I have the same trouble with my small. If I get a bit aggressive stirring the coals in the small, the grate will sometimes flip. My large has what I believe to be a casting defect in the fire bowl in the form of a small bump about 3/8 inch in diameter and 1/4 inch tall and it keeps the grate in place.

    I'm wondering if you could use something like JB Weld to create small bumps that would keep things in place.
  • thegrillster,

    I had one. Worked well but fell apart after a year.

    Steve

    Steve 

    Caledon, ON

     

  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 25,880
    That was actually custom made at a machine shop for me as a thank you gift. I just posted it for the concept of the three legs. And yes it was welded and all the holes were drilled. It's nine years old now and still tank-solid!
    Re-gasketing America one yard at a time.
  • Yeah, I remember that now. I was going to edit my post to say brazed but the whole thing is cold steel isn't it?

    Steve 

    Caledon, ON

     

  • TNmike
    TNmike Posts: 643
    Yea, cast iron is a little tough to weld. Likely a steel grate. Some of us do like to play with our toys. :) Mike
  • TNmike
    TNmike Posts: 643
    Thanks RRP, more ideas for 'tinkering'. :) I'm wondering if maybe I can get the lump grate on top of the cooking grid. Kinda of an upside down BGE. Dome temp might not be of much value though. :laugh: :laugh: :silly: :silly: Mike