Weber 7407 as internal ash pan for 18.5" kettle

[addicted-to-smoke]

My initial cook proved a success with this. I'll try it later with Adrenline's charcoal basket, but last night I used one full (small) Weber chimney (model #7447) of KBB tossed onto the grate, away from the walls.

Link to 7404, if you don't already have one laying around ---> https://www.amazon.com/Weber-7407-22-5-Inch-Replacement-Catcher/dp/B000WEOQ1I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1526144042&sr=8-1&keywords=Weber+7407

I wanted to help shield the bottom of the bowl from further age/heat damage. The quicker cleanup after a cook is also nice.

I know what you're thinking, "What about airflow? The Happy Cooker IAP has those holes located vertically around the perimeter ..."

This sits on the straps, not the wall of the bowl, so there's a constant air gap all around it. Your regular charcoal grate sits on top of the ash catcher just fine. Bonus: No more rusty grate-to-grate strap contact.









I'd love to hear from others that have tried this.

[varekai]

interesting idea, will have to give it a go.. Thanks brother.

[Cellar2ful]

I will be trying this also. Should be a lot easier for cleaning the ash. Thanks for posting this @addicted-to-smoke

[Cellar2ful]

@addicted-to-smoke - Tried your ingenious internal ash pan idea tonight reverse searing a couple of pork chops. Not a #7409 but an older, rolled edge ash pan for a 22" I found laying around.  Works fantastic.  This will be used from now on in my 18" mbh's.  Thanks again for posting this.

[1spacemanspiff]

Thanks for the tip.  I'll be trying this after I give my 18 a cleaning

[addicted-to-smoke]

You do get a few wisps of ash down below if banking or using a charcoal basket, but it's still worth it.

And I'm really liking the Killa Grilla SS cook grate for the 18.5 kettle (not shown in my pic) also! That also would work as a charcoal grate for a 22 if you never want to have to buy one again ... not completely perfectly (it's about 1/2" too large) but still sits on the straps, just higher.

FYI, Mark told me that over time, if/when you/we start to see some surface rust form on the underside of a SS cook grate, it's because iron oxide from the charcoal grate always rises up (and will attach somewhere).

[ClubChapin]

And I'm really liking the Killa Grilla SS cook grate for the 18.5 kettle (not shown in my pic) also! That also would work as a charcoal grate for a 22 if you never want to have to buy one again ... not completely perfectly (it's about 1/2" too large) but still sits on the straps, just higher.

He makes a charcoal grate for the 22". I have it and it works grate.


http://killagrilla.com/item/round-bbq-stainless-charcoal-grill-grate-kg-weber-replacement

[addicted-to-smoke]

He makes a charcoal grate for the 22". I have it and it works grate.

Oh, I know, but for $5 more you can get SS handles welded on, by using the 18.5" cook grate ... Just tossing that idea out there; I'd probably stick to the properly sized charcoal grate also.