weber 26 in. kettle grill from 1987

[csue66]

We have had this grill for some time now and my question is when did Weber quit making these larger grills and then resume making them. I need a charcoal grate for it, right now we are using a 22 in. grate for that. Also I was told by Weber that the old 26 in. kettles are a different size from the newer ones being made. They said there is no replacement grates available that would fit the older models. Would the Craycort CI fit for the gril grates? Ther is a J on the lid, I'm told this is year 1987.

[Winz]

csue66 -  I don't know the answer to your craycort question, however one  option is a grillmark brand replacement grate.  They measure approx 25" across and will fit your older model 26.  Here is a link:

http://www.amazon.com/Grillmark-Chrome-Cooking-Grate-25/dp/B003DKG04E

Winz

[argentflame]

http://www.ereplacementparts.com/hinged-cooking-grate-inch-p-1477369.html
Winz found you the best deal.
That is my next grill a 26r. I just need 250 lbs of aluminum cans. Then I'm set.

And welcome to the club. Let us know what you decided. We love pics of kettles and cooks.

[csue66]

Thanks for the link. I'll take a look.

[salad]

Yikes!  $89 + shipping for a Weber hinged 26" grate?  Come on, eReplacement, you can do better than that!  A 22.5" cost $20.  Why does the 26" cost 4x that?  I wonder what Weber wants for it.  Parts costs are starting to freak me out. 

[tattooedant]

Just bought a couple of the grillmark 26" grates for my 80's flatop. They fit perfectly, and for $4 a piece you can't beat it.

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3973709

[1buckie]

Yikes!  $89 + shipping for a Weber hinged 26" grate?  Come on, eReplacement, you can do better than that!  A 22.5" cost $20.  Why does the 26" cost 4x that?  I wonder what Weber wants for it.  Parts costs are starting to freak me out. 

 Made me think......I could not find a way to order a 26-3/4" grate at Weber.........

That's the price of a dang stainless, but it sure doesn't say that......

The listing for a new 26-3/4" at Weber says this:
COOKING SYSTEM

Porcelain-enameled bowl and lid
Stainless steel hinged cooking grate
Steel charcoal grate


 On ereplacements, the Ranch ones are listed like this:

Hinged Cooking Grate, S.S.

Price: $283.75

 Go Grillmark Chrome Cooking Grid......it's chrome & shiny & 3% of the price.............

[fedex]

Just bought a couple of the grillmark 26" grates for my 80's flatop. They fit perfectly, and for $4 a piece you can't beat it.

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3973709

Hey Tat, good heads-up.  Bought one last summer for $10 and I thought that was a good deal.  Just ordered another for $4.00 and free shipping if you pick it up @ Ace.

[G]

There are no good options for a replacement charcoal grate.  Ive seen guys craft a new one out of heavy expanded metal, use a grate from a 22" like you are doing, or have one custom made from a metal fabricator.  The charcoal grate from the newer 26.75s sit higher in the bowl bringing the coals closer to the cooking grate which is already set lower in the bowl on the older style 26ers. 

[Craig]

Okay I have a stupid question I thought that the charcoal grates are the exact same size and style on both the old and the newer 26? I thought Weber just raised the straps for the cooking grate thus rendering the old cooking grates useless on the new 26rs and vice versa?

[BBQ Jack]

Regarding the Grillmark 25 inch, I also bought this at ACE a few months ago for $3.75.  It looks the same as the one at Amazon and it measures 24 3/4".  Sometimes it is advertized as a 26 inch as it fits non Weber 26 inch grills but the grate on these grills is actually 24 3/4".  The quality is very good even at the Amazon price with free shipping.  If you need this size there are not too many other choices.

[Craig]

I have the Grillmark grate for my '69-'70 26 and it sits perfectly on the straps. They were made for the old style 26 cooking grate straps that sit about 3 inches lower in the bowl than today's 26.

[G]

I thought that the charcoal grates are the exact same size and style on both the old and the newer 26?

I had to measure.....
flathead 26 diameter=19.5"
New style 26 diameter=22"

[Bman]

I had to measure.....
New style 26 diameter=22"

The new style 26" charcoal grate is the same size as a 22.5" cooking grate.
While cleaning out my 26'er this week, I set the charcoal grate on a 22.5" I had next to it and it was a glove-like fit.

csue - where are you located?  I bought 2 of the grillmark grates just to have, but then scored a newer 26.