One interesting wrinkle, for me, is that both of my old 26ers have drooping charcoal grates, so I'm inclined to flip them in an effort to let the heat slowly (and hopefully) bend them back to level. I tried standing on them but that only damaged them more.
Anyway, flipping them results in the distance between charcoal and food being very small, only like 4-5 inches max ... just like the top "sear" position of a Summit Charcoal (right? RIGHT??) A full charcoal holder winds up having coals right under the cook grate, touching it (and so, further weakening that unobtanium part!)
So I either spread out food farther way or deal with somewhat less predictable (controllable) heat.