Thanks, I just checked and it's eight inches from the charcoal grate to the shelf. It sits three inches above the main grate. I could put a taller one in the 26, but this one also fits my 22. I actually didn't do the burgers full direct because I had to warm the buns. I just moved the burgers onto the shelf, added the cheese and set the buns on for about five minutes or so. This would have worked just fine for adding the cheese while it was still above the fire though.