Adding
Handles To The Bottom Cooking Grate |
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Editor's Note: This modification applies to WSMs manufactured prior to 2014. Starting in 2014, WSM bottom grates come with integrated handles.
Some people like to add handles to the bottom cooking grate to make it
easier to remove during or after cooking. Here are a few examples from
WSM owners.
As
always...click on any of the pictures to
view a larger image.
Wire Handles

Photo 1 |
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John Ford of Decatur,
Alabama wanted an easier way to remove the bottom cooking grate from his Weber
Bullet after cooking, and handles seemed like just the ticket.
"I purchased about 3
feet of #4 copper ground wire at Home Depot and formed it into two U's about
5" tall and 4" wide," says John. "I bent 1" hooks on each end and attached to
the sides of the bottom cooking grate by squeezing each hook together.
"This allows me to reach
in (using welding gloves, of course) and just lift the grate with pork butts on
it right out of the cooker."
Stainless Steel
"U" Bolts

Photo 2 |
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Frank H. from
the Boston suburbs used stainless steel "U" bolts, flat washers, and
nuts to fashion handles for his bottom cooking grate.
"I read a few posts
on various BBQ forums and came up with these stainless steel "U" bolts
that fasten easily on the grate and make dandy handles," says Frank.
"You still need your welding gloves, but at least you've got something
to get ahold of! This was easy and cost under 10 bucks."
Welded Handles

Photo 3 |
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If you have a friend
with welding skills, you can weld handles onto each side of the bottom
cooking grate. That's what Bill Hays from Western New York did with the help of
his bulletin board friend/welder Bryan S.
Bill says, "Two handles made
from 1/4" steel rod, bent 4" high by 4" wide, welded to the outermost rungs of
the lower cooking grate. This mod also allows you to add a second lower cooking
grate by using soup cans or similar at 90° for stability of the added grate."
Photo of wire
handles: 2002 by John Ford.
Photo of welded
handles: 2004 by Bill Hays.
Photos of "U" bolt handles: 2012 by Frank H.
Updated:
12/30/2015
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