Modify Hard Anodized Grill Grates?

jasonjax · 06-20-2013, 06:30 PM

So I picked up a set of Grill Grates which perfectly replace the direct heat cast iron side for my PG-500, but several folks have complained that these cause fires in the pellet firebox due to holding in so much additional heat and hampering air-flow in the grill.

It makes sense going from completely opened cast iron typical grates to these grates with holes in them here and there that air-flow might be dramatically changed.

So...

I am wondering for you metal experts out there what kind of grinding tip I should get for my Dremel to try and expand the holes to allow for much greater air-flow.

Here's a pic of the grates I have versus the ones that I am replacing. Look at the direct cooking side to see the separate CI grate.

Thanks!

likeadeere · 06-20-2013, 06:46 PM

a carbide burr would work fast. those can really cut through metal quickly.

ubp_sanity · 06-20-2013, 11:52 PM

Or just don't butt them tight up against each other. Not sure how many you got. If you got enough to completely cover the grill, just leave one of them out, that will definitely let air through. Leaving a gap should be better than opening up the holes.

dwfisk · 06-21-2013, 06:18 AM

I would try other alternatives before cutting, but these might work better.
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece...lls-91616.html
Careful, you might wind up with some sharp edges that need to be rounded off.

jmoney7269 · 06-21-2013, 06:33 AM

all i can say is try it. i think the pellet fires you speak of are not from a restriction of airflow, but moreso a dirty direct flame area. the combustion fan is only 100 cfm and will surely pass all the air necessary through the web design of the grill grates for a complete burn. i have flame tamers sitting 2" over my firepot of my traeger and have never had any burnback issues. since that FEC is a Spit design rather than a full pellet tube, you should be ok. If anything happpens, which i suspect wont, your still gonna be ok under manufacture warranty enforced my the Magnuson-Moss warranty act of 1975.

06-20-2013, 06:30 PM	#1
jasonjax Babbling Farker Join Date: 12-20-07 Location: Ponte Vedra, Florida Name/Nickname : Jason	Modify Hard Anodized Grill Grates? So I picked up a set of Grill Grates which perfectly replace the direct heat cast iron side for my PG-500, but several folks have complained that these cause fires in the pellet firebox due to holding in so much additional heat and hampering air-flow in the grill. It makes sense going from completely opened cast iron typical grates to these grates with holes in them here and there that air-flow might be dramatically changed. So... I am wondering for you metal experts out there what kind of grinding tip I should get for my Dremel to try and expand the holes to allow for much greater air-flow. Here's a pic of the grates I have versus the ones that I am replacing. Look at the direct cooking side to see the separate CI grate. Thanks!

06-20-2013, 06:46 PM	#2
likeadeere is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 12-17-09 Location: Mesa, Wa	a carbide burr would work fast. those can really cut through metal quickly. __________________ Joe. UDS, Traeger COM190, Infrared Grill; Maverick ET-732, Red Super-fast Thermapen

06-21-2013, 06:18 AM	#4
dwfisk Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 08-01-12 Location: Fairfield, Florida Name/Nickname : Dave	I would try other alternatives before cutting, but these might work better. http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece...lls-91616.html Careful, you might wind up with some sharp edges that need to be rounded off. __________________ I'm Dave Got a bunch of cooking toys and a custom metal fabrication shop where I spend my time building all sorts of smokers & outdoor cooking gear.

06-20-2013, 11:52 PM	#3
ubp_sanity Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 07-30-12 Location: Kitchener, Ont	Or just don't butt them tight up against each other. Not sure how many you got. If you got enough to completely cover the grill, just leave one of them out, that will definitely let air through. Leaving a gap should be better than opening up the holes.

06-21-2013, 06:33 AM	#5
jmoney7269 Banned Join Date: 02-07-11 Location: brenham, texas	all i can say is try it. i think the pellet fires you speak of are not from a restriction of airflow, but moreso a dirty direct flame area. the combustion fan is only 100 cfm and will surely pass all the air necessary through the web design of the grill grates for a complete burn. i have flame tamers sitting 2" over my firepot of my traeger and have never had any burnback issues. since that FEC is a Spit design rather than a full pellet tube, you should be ok. If anything happpens, which i suspect wont, your still gonna be ok under manufacture warranty enforced my the Magnuson-Moss warranty act of 1975.