Adding grates to WSM

Big slick · 01-29-2013, 07:06 AM

I already have my plan thanks to the weber bullet modifications page about how I am going to add additional racks for increased cooking capacity. My question is does it all have to be stainless steel? My plan is to buy the 4-12" threaded rods and use nuts and washers to help set shelf height. I know I can get the nuts and washers in SS. The threaded rods though might be a bit of a challenge. My guys telling me "YES! You idiot it's being used to cook with" I am just worried about being able to find SS threaded rods before this weekend.

Thoughts, tips, ideas??

Harbormaster · 01-29-2013, 08:11 AM

You don't need stainless.

Get whatever is available and you'll be fine.

Your guy is probably worried about using galvanized. Don't use it if you have any concerns.

HankB · 01-29-2013, 09:23 AM

On my 18.5 I just drilled extra holes through the internal supports and outer shell midway between the top and bottom grates. I drilled 1/4" holes and installed short 1/4-20 bolts in the holes to support a third grate. It takes a little maneuvering to get the third grate past the top grate supports and on the new supports but once there it is stable. A standard 18.5 grate (like the top grate or a kettle grate) fits snugly so short bolts are all that is needed. IIRC the grate actually sits on the nuts so if you want to split the difference perfectly, allow for half the diameter of a nut when you locate the holes.

I plan the same mod for my 22.5 but hope to integrate the support bolts with handles to lift the mid section if the dimensions work out.

Big slick · 01-29-2013, 12:15 PM

So is it okay to use parts in our smoker that aren't stainless steel?

Beast Drinker · 01-29-2013, 12:22 PM

You bet it's okay to not use stainless, our stock Weber grates aren't stainless and that's what the food sits on. Not a piece of stainless on any of my Weber stuff far as I know.

Bob in St. Louis · 01-29-2013, 12:23 PM

Absolutely. It's not a health concern (except for galvanized), it's a rust issue. The basis "allthread" at the hardware store is fine. After a few 'smokes', you'll have enough fat and grease on it that it probably won't rust anyway.

Careful chhipping up the porcelin coating on the WSM though.

BruceB · 01-29-2013, 12:24 PM

+5, does not have to be stainless.

Big slick · 01-29-2013, 12:40 PM

Nice. That just cut the cost of this project down a lot. Now where can I get some cheap grates?

Bob in St. Louis · 01-29-2013, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big slick

Nice. That just cut the cost of this project down a lot. Now where can I get some cheap grates?

Most home improvement stores have a bunch of free samples lined up, just outside the front door.

Big slick · 01-29-2013, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob in St. Louis

Most home improvement stores have a bunch of free samples lined up, just outside the front door.

Great! pick me up some will ya?

Beast Drinker · 01-29-2013, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big slick

Nice. That just cut the cost of this project down a lot. Now where can I get some cheap grates?

Probably right there at the hardware store where you are buying your allthread, nuts and washers.

Bob in St. Louis · 01-29-2013, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big slick

Great! pick me up some will ya?

Sure. What size you need?

Big slick · 01-29-2013, 03:15 PM

Something that will fit snug in my 22" WSM would be great.

Bob in St. Louis · 01-29-2013, 03:32 PM

OK cool. You hold your breath, I'll call you when I've got them. ;)

But seriously, a CL find might serve you best (cheapest). Not sure what they'd cost through Weber.

Big slick · 01-29-2013, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob in St. Louis

OK cool. You hold your breath, I'll call you when I've got them. ;)

Hahahahahahaha!!!!!!

01-29-2013, 07:06 AM	#1
Big slick is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 03-04-11 Location: Palatine, Il	Adding grates to WSM I already have my plan thanks to the weber bullet modifications page about how I am going to add additional racks for increased cooking capacity. My question is does it all have to be stainless steel? My plan is to buy the 4-12" threaded rods and use nuts and washers to help set shelf height. I know I can get the nuts and washers in SS. The threaded rods though might be a bit of a challenge. My guys telling me "YES! You idiot it's being used to cook with" I am just worried about being able to find SS threaded rods before this weekend. Thoughts, tips, ideas?? __________________ 22.5" WSM, 22.5" Weber Kettle, Kenmore 6 burner Gas Grill.....Where's The Beef?

01-29-2013, 08:11 AM	#2
Harbormaster somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-14-06 Location: Wyocena/Pardeeville, WI Name/Nickname : Clark	You don't need stainless. Get whatever is available and you'll be fine. Your guy is probably worried about using galvanized. Don't use it if you have any concerns. __________________ Clark My Boys: Joseph (EI); Andrew (EE); Daniel (EE) My Toys: 10 WSMs (B, C, E, DH, DA, EZ, DZ, EO, DU, DR); 5 - 22.5" Bar-B-Q-Kettles; 2 - 18.5" Bar-B-Q-Kettle; 4 WGAs (EZ, DE, N, B); 2 SJPs ( DR, DR); 2 Smokey Joes (A, K); Brinkman Cimmaron. "For when democracy becomes tyranny, those of us with rifles still get to vote"

01-29-2013, 09:23 AM	#3
HankB is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 01-16-12 Location: Winfield, IL	On my 18.5 I just drilled extra holes through the internal supports and outer shell midway between the top and bottom grates. I drilled 1/4" holes and installed short 1/4-20 bolts in the holes to support a third grate. It takes a little maneuvering to get the third grate past the top grate supports and on the new supports but once there it is stable. A standard 18.5 grate (like the top grate or a kettle grate) fits snugly so short bolts are all that is needed. IIRC the grate actually sits on the nuts so if you want to split the difference perfectly, allow for half the diameter of a nut when you locate the holes. I plan the same mod for my 22.5 but hope to integrate the support bolts with handles to lift the mid section if the dimensions work out. __________________ Weber Crazy

01-29-2013, 12:15 PM	#4
Big slick is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 03-04-11 Location: Palatine, Il	So is it okay to use parts in our smoker that aren't stainless steel? __________________ 22.5" WSM, 22.5" Weber Kettle, Kenmore 6 burner Gas Grill.....Where's The Beef?

01-29-2013, 12:22 PM	#5
Beast Drinker Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 08-27-09 Location: Virginia Beach, Va	You bet it's okay to not use stainless, our stock Weber grates aren't stainless and that's what the food sits on. Not a piece of stainless on any of my Weber stuff far as I know. __________________ 18" Weber OTS aka #1, Smokey Joe gold, 18" WSM, dirt late model

01-29-2013, 12:23 PM	#6
Bob in St. Louis Babbling Farker Join Date: 07-31-12 Location: St. Louis Missouri	Absolutely. It's not a health concern (except for galvanized), it's a rust issue. The basis "allthread" at the hardware store is fine. After a few 'smokes', you'll have enough fat and grease on it that it probably won't rust anyway. Careful chhipping up the porcelin coating on the WSM though. __________________ Truth, by definition is narrow and exclusive. -------------- "Do not eat the meat raw or boiled in water, but roast it over a fire." - Exodus 12:9

01-29-2013, 12:24 PM	#7
BruceB is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 12-09-04 Location: Utica, MI	+5, does not have to be stainless. __________________ Good Talkin' With You Bruce 22 1/2" WSM and 18 1/2" WSM Weber 22 1/2" Kettle, Weber Jumbo Joe 18 1/2" Weber Genesis Gasser Treasurer, Great Lakes Barbecue Association

01-29-2013, 12:40 PM	#8
Big slick is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 03-04-11 Location: Palatine, Il	Nice. That just cut the cost of this project down a lot. Now where can I get some cheap grates? __________________ 22.5" WSM, 22.5" Weber Kettle, Kenmore 6 burner Gas Grill.....Where's The Beef?

01-29-2013, 03:15 PM	#13
Big slick is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 03-04-11 Location: Palatine, Il	Something that will fit snug in my 22" WSM would be great. __________________ 22.5" WSM, 22.5" Weber Kettle, Kenmore 6 burner Gas Grill.....Where's The Beef?

01-29-2013, 03:32 PM	#14
Bob in St. Louis Babbling Farker Join Date: 07-31-12 Location: St. Louis Missouri	OK cool. You hold your breath, I'll call you when I've got them. ;) But seriously, a CL find might serve you best (cheapest). Not sure what they'd cost through Weber. __________________ Truth, by definition is narrow and exclusive. -------------- "Do not eat the meat raw or boiled in water, but roast it over a fire." - Exodus 12:9