Weber Kettle Club Forums

I am looking to split my Weber kettle charcoal grate into to even sections for indirect and direct cooking.  Weber's charcoal baskets are always too small for what I need.  I have seen some people create a divider using fire bricks...any other thoughts?

Slow and sear is what you are looking for.

http://www.abcbarbecue.com/slow-n-sear (http://www.abcbarbecue.com/slow-n-sear)

I have used a medium baking pan with and without water, then pile the coals next to it. Not sure there would be any benefit from trying to split a grate to use as a divider. A pan will keep the coals retained to one side. I also use the snake method with a pie pan in the middle.  I don't have one but slow and sear does look very convenient.


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I folded an expanded piece of metal into a triangle that I use on one side of the kettle that works well.  Also Weber makes charcoal rails. They are around $10, I haven't used them though

Quote from: webbc1x on February 06, 2017, 07:11:39 AM
I am looking to split my Weber kettle charcoal grate into to even sections for indirect and direct cooking.  Weber's charcoal baskets are always too small for what I need.  I have seen some people create a divider using fire bricks...any other thoughts?

The old weber charcoal separator thingies are what you're looking for. They just clip onto the charcoal grate wherever you want them. It's Weber part #7402

Quote from: Darko on February 06, 2017, 12:41:25 PM

Quote from: webbc1x on February 06, 2017, 07:11:39 AM
I am looking to split my Weber kettle charcoal grate into to even sections for indirect and direct cooking.  Weber's charcoal baskets are always too small for what I need.  I have seen some people create a divider using fire bricks...any other thoughts?

The old weber charcoal separator thingies are what you're looking for. They just clip onto the charcoal grate wherever you want them. It's Weber part #7402

Do you know the difference between this and #3901?  Amazon has both and they look the same but one costs more.


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I'm considering getting these. It would be nice to have the spacing flexibility.


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Quote from: Darko on February 06, 2017, 12:41:25 PM

Quote from: webbc1x on February 06, 2017, 07:11:39 AM
I am looking to split my Weber kettle charcoal grate into to even sections for indirect and direct cooking.  Weber's charcoal baskets are always too small for what I need.  I have seen some people create a divider using fire bricks...any other thoughts?

The old weber charcoal separator thingies are what you're looking for. They just clip onto the charcoal grate wherever you want them. It's Weber part #7402

I use these all the time.  Just put 'em where you want 'em.

Thanks everyone, may try the charcoal rails in the future.  They aren't quite long enough to make it across the center of the charcoal grate, although you could probably put two in line with each other to make it across.  Going with the expanded steel for now and seeing how that holds up.

Quote from: HoosierKettle on February 06, 2017, 01:30:46 PM

Quote from: Darko on February 06, 2017, 12:41:25 PM

Quote from: webbc1x on February 06, 2017, 07:11:39 AM
I am looking to split my Weber kettle charcoal grate into to even sections for indirect and direct cooking.  Weber's charcoal baskets are always too small for what I need.  I have seen some people create a divider using fire bricks...any other thoughts?

The old weber charcoal separator thingies are what you're looking for. They just clip onto the charcoal grate wherever you want them. It's Weber part #7402

Do you know the difference between this and #3901?  Amazon has both and they look the same but one costs more.


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They look the same to me. The old ones are different.

Here is another vote for the Weber 7402 charcoal rails. I have several sets and use them in many different grills and they are perfect for holding charcoal where you want it.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/OldDave/WSM%20Cooking/DSC02616.jpg)

Very easy to clip on to your charcoal grate. This picture shows them on a charcoal grate from a Weber Jumbo Joe.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/OldDave/WSM%20Cooking/DSC03150.jpg)

This is pair of them on one side of my Ranch Kettle.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/OldDave/WSM%20Cooking/DSC03296.jpg)

This is four of the charcoal rails on my Weber Ranch giving me two even burning fires for a large low and slow cook.

Thanks @Old Dave
I just ordered these.  I've never liked how charcoal baskets fit in my 26.

They are only $11. I'm wondering if I should have ordered 2 sets?


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Think i'm going to pick up a set as well...

Slow and sear or baskets the way to go. 


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Another vote for the slow n Sear. Love mine. Built like a tank and sets up a great two zone cook.


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I have a few sets of the charcoal rails, and they work well.
Here is a post from way back, about dismantling the charcoal baskets, and using the parts to fit your needs:

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/getting-more-from-charcoal-baskets/msg146776/#msg146776



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I'm not thinking the charcoal rails are going to give you a complete separation of zones. I use fire bricks I found in my yard. Not masonry bricks. They are thinner and longer than that. There's no radiant heat passing them bricks, but then again I'm using this setup on a 26r. I got plenty of space.

I'm gonna say the ultimate solution for your needs is a slow and sear. Next solution would be some fire bricks. Heck...I've used folded up aluminum foil to hang from the grill grate to make a radiant barrier. I've seen someone festoon a barrier with a pizza pan by cutting a section of it off and some slots to go around the grate supports.

Dump the coals in and cook, quit making it complicated. No need for bricks or attachments

Quote from: Harleysmoker on February 07, 2017, 09:28:45 PM
Dump the coals in and cook, quit making it complicated. No need for bricks or attachments

I like your style, but I do like the simple extremely simple accessories such as baskets in the 22".

I can't believe I haven't gotten these rails until now. Very cheap and snap in great in the grate. . This will make configuring coals easily into many different configurations on the 26er. The baskets don't make good use of space in a 26.  Hard to see, but here is a pic of the rails in my 26. This will make both a huge area for indirect and a contained area for enough coal for hours of cooking.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170208/c1441131bc4c017c45ecf532ff641ff9.jpg)


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