Twenty Sixer Corner

[Duke]

I thought this would be a good time to start a thread dedicated to the 26'r.

I was wondering if anyone that has an old one ever tried raising the cooking grate? Mine is really low and I want it about three inches higher. I am making a ring right now that might work, but it's not a really clean set up. I am thinking some kind of brackets myght work better. Any ideas?

[reillyranch]

Duke, if you raise the brackets, would you need a new cooking grate.  I know old 26.5 and new 26.5 grates are different.  Also, would you want to move the coal grate?

For what's it worth, I have cooked a turkey on both old and new 26.5 and think the old set up worked better.  I figured because there was more room between the turkey and the lid it cooked more even.  Although it seemed to longer on the old 26.5. 

[Jeff]

If you use a new SS 26 grate on an old 26, it sits about 3" higher, BUT its not perfectly stable.  Its do able though

[G$]

I hate to ask, but because I am fairly 26 ignorant, does anyone have a photo of both old and new cooking grate locations?

Duke, could you fashion c shaped or similar grate extenders that basically clamp or slide on the existing ones on the bowl or is there no room because of the lid shape?

[zavod44]

I use the craycort ci grate and it sits maybe two inches higher.  The weight of the grate keeps it pretty stable since it doesn't sit on the tabs....

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[Duke]

All great questions.

Rielly, adding the brackets or a new support system would work with the old grate, but I think there might also be room for a new style grate to fit. Just think, you could put an ss grate from a new one in it.

Jeff, with supports it would be stable, but I think you meant just setting it inside. Yeah, like you I don't trust that it might not stay in place.

G, You are thinking what I was thinking. I have a few ideas, but in the meantime I found a 'grate' solution. Check it out!

I took some expanded metal and made a ring. It's 3 1/2 x 25. The grate sits perfectly and it's sturdy.




Even the elevated half grate still fits with the lid closed. (Dig that koa O'Neal)



What I really like is the way it slips on the tab.


This is good for now, but I will be looking for better ideas. Ideally one could be made from some stainless steel with holed drilled for the tabs and maybe another set of brackets that you could set the grate on if you want it a little lower. I doubt anyone will ever make one of these for sale, so let's keep putting our heads together here.

[Duke]

I gave it a test run. It ran just the way I like it.



Brian, my only concern with setting an extra large craycort wedged in a 26 is with the expansion when it's hot. I was thinking it could possibly warp the weber bowl.

[Craig]

That's a nice mod and setup! Looks like it sits pretty tight?

[glrasmussen]

That's the picture I wanted to see, nice Brownie! I have cooked on mine, but have used it mostly for pizza and big wing cooks. Always indirect, is the objective to get it closer to the lid?

[Duke]

Yeah Craig, it's in a great spot now.

Greg, I mainly wanted to be able to grill where the meat wasn't so close to the fire. It chars too fast and I can't enjoy the cook. With my basket it was literally right on top of the fire. Now it's more like using a santa maria grill or a newer style 26. The same goes for salmon, you want it to cook, but not burn so quickly and still get the nice grill marks. It really made the difference. I will be using it again tomorrow. However, I do find when the food is closer to the lid it does cook faster.

[glrasmussen]

Yeah Craig, it's in a great spot now.

Greg, I mainly wanted to be able to grill where the meat wasn't so close to the fire. It chars too fast and I can't enjoy the cook. With my basket it was literally right on top of the fire. Now it's more like using a santa maria grill or a newer style 26. The same goes for salmon, you want it to cook, but not burn so quickly and still get the nice grill marks. It really made the difference. I will be using it again tomorrow. However, I do find when the food is closer to the lid it does cook faster.

Now I understand, your nice indirect basket brings it to close to the grate. I am going to go to Home Depot and make me one for mine. Keep some
of the heat off the bowl.

[Jeff]

Shaun
Is that triangle from a newer style 26?  I tried to use one of those on my red, and the reach was too long for the angle the legs came out of the sockets.

[Duke]

Greg, make the ring at least halfway to the middle of the charcoal grate. The extra room comes in handy and you can spread your coals. The one you see here is from my 22. I'm using it because I haven't had time to make a bigger one yet.

Jeff, that's the original triangle. It does look a little like the new style in the picture though.

[G$]

S, That is the bees knees.

[glrasmussen]

Greg, make the ring at least halfway to the middle of the charcoal grate. The extra room comes in handy and you can spread your coals. The one you see here is from my 22. I'm using it because I haven't had time to make a bigger one yet.

Jeff, that's the original triangle. It does look a little like the new style in the picture though.

Thanks Shaun. Little late on the reply, work...No time to check in. I can get this material at Home Depot, correct? I made a note at work to get some this weekend. 3-1/2" x 25 ' roll? Do you use mechanics wire to hold it all together?