DIY second grate

[MikeRocksTheRed]

I know this isn't a brand new idea and I've seen this in multiple posts here, but I put a new twist on a second smoking/cooking grate.

Ordered a 18.5" cooking grate.  Used SS bolts, washers, nuts and wing nuts.  The wing nuts make it really easy to adjust the height.  My grill isn't quite level and yesterday when I put this grate together the wing nuts made it really easy for me to tweak each of the legs to get it level.  Also makes it really quick and easy to raise or lower the entire thing.

I used 5" bolts so I have a large range of height options. I had to use carriage bolts instead of something that would have been snugger to the washers because it was the only option in 5".








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[Tommy B]

great job. I like the wing nuts to change the grate height.

[TexasOnion]

I wonder how 2 wing nuts and a washer between them would work

[MikeRocksTheRed]

I wonder how 2 wing nuts and a washer between them would work

That would work fine.  The other versions I have seen of this use just two regular nuts and a washer on the bottom which can be adjust just as easily as two wings nuts.  With my setup, I only have to move one nut per leg.

[TexasOnion]

@MikeRocksTheRed  true / will the wing nut slide thru the grate if it turns sideways ?

[MikeRocksTheRed]

 @TexasOnion - At first glance I would have said no, it won't slide through, but with a little bit of weight applied it did squeeze through.  I don't think it will be a big deal as its easy to spot check and confirm the wing nuts are perpendicular to the cooking grate.  I just tried adding the regular nut and washer to the bottom of the legs hoping they would fit right through and act as a catch to keep the washer from falling off, but it also fits between the bars with some weight which means it would be a pain to get off when the grill is hot.  I think I'll leave it as is.  I do have a neighbor who works in a fabrication shop so if I end up with the wingnuts slipping through too often I might have him tack some washers onto the wing nut.  Not sure how hard that would be with SS though.  I'm hoping to use the new grate tomorrow to smoke something so I'll post an update once I have used it.

[MikeRocksTheRed]

3/8" bolts instead of 1/4" might resolve the issue as well....the nuts would be bigger and probably wouldn't slip through.

[TexasOnion]

3/8" bolts instead of 1/4' might resolve the issue as well....the nuts would be bigger and probably wouldn't slip through.

  yea I think that would work /// good luck with ur cook

[CharliefromLI]

Looks good @MikeRocksTheRed indirect cooking with an "upper deck"  is awesome. You'll be amazed at the capacity.

[swamprb]

Turn the carriage bolt over and use the head for the feet/double washers/nuts to hold the grate.

Baking cooling racks available at restaurant supply stores are another option. The 3 of these were less $$ than an 18" grate and hardware.

[1911Ron]

Good idea using a wingnut, i use 3/8th bolts on my second grate.

[Jon]

...Baking cooling racks available at restaurant supply stores are another option...

I have several baking cooling racks with legs that would work as riser grills and never thought of that. Thank you.

[MikeRocksTheRed]

@swamprb - I thought of putting the bolt heads down to use as the feet, but the way I have it setup I can easily adjust the height just by spinning a wing nut on each leg.  The other way would involve adjusting two nuts.  It's a work in progresss, so after a few cooks we will see the end result of the trials and tribulations!

[MikeRocksTheRed]

Have two racks of ribs in my new rib rack then put one upstairs on my second grate so I can break both in at once.  So far so good!  Glad I went with 5" bolts to get the second grate high enough to clear the ribs that are standing up.  Have a probe at the bottom grate and through the top vent so I can monitor the temp at the upper rack.  So far they have stayed within 5 degrees of each other and have been identical a few times. 











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[kettlecook]

Mike, I've never used a stacker grate in my kettle. How evenly did your ribs cook?


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