PBC Grate warped when using for afterburner steak

[dshein01]

Curious if other people here have used the PBC grate for cooking a steak with the afterburner method?

Tried it out tonight (btw steak turned out amazingly, pictures below), but when taking the great off it appeared that the location directly above the chimney had caused a slight cave-in in the grate (i.e., heat had expanded metal directly above charcoal and caused it to slightly bend).

Curious if this is just due to the grate of the PBC not designed for such high temps and if so, is there a better type of grate to use for afterburner searing (e.g., just buy a replacement webber grate?)

Used about 3/4 of a chimney of Kingsford Professional in a of Webber fullsize chimney the typical way (vs. flipping it and filling charcoal basket on smaller side)

FWIW that was the best crust on a steak I think I've had outside of a an old school steakhouse (i.e., Peter Lugers or Keens in NYC) and the best way to quickly grill pineapple (since the charcoal was already lit)

Thanks!

[Jerod Broussard]

My grate is pretty wobbly. I burned out some grease with some B & B briquets one time that left a gray char under the lid. It looked volcanic-like and was easily removed.

[dshein01]

ya, when putting it back in the PBC seemed to actually lay pretty flat on the screws (with small indentation in the middle from the chimney, doesn't sound like it will hurt anything while cooking on it

[DWCowles]

Beautiful steak!

[dshein01]

thanks!

[Polarbear777]

I warped a hovergrill grate doing the same thing, so far the center circle grate from the weber "gourmet BBQ system" is holding up.

However, for steaks (brat's etc) I found that the easiest thing is to use a sturdy flat (flat is important here or it rolls off!) skewer or two and lay the steak over the chimney, that way there are no grill marks and you get an even sear.

[dshein01]

Good call, was thinking of going with some 12'' flat skewers (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000VLXKU...oequippilot-20), any particular size / brand you found works well?

[PappyBBQ]

Great looking steak!! I've always been worried about using the grate from the PBC over a chimney, but not because I was worried about it warping. Never thought about that! I was worried I'd knock the darn thing over - didn't seem like it would be very stable. So I've always used a small rectangular grill that came with an old COS I still have. It's pretty sturdy and hasn't been affected by being used over an afterburner! I still have the grate and the COS because it is a huge thing that has a nice charcoal grilling box with hood, and a seperate gas box with hood; both of which i continue to use though I no longer use it for offset smoking...

[phoccer]

I've considered getting a heavy gauge stainless steel grate for my PBC from KillaGrilla. I got one for my Weber 22 and really like it.

[jlhilden]

I would consider the slight bend a normal reaction and not a defect. You are applying a huge amount of heat to only a part of the grate. Awesome looking steaks. Good cook!

[HawkerXP]

I put a little twist in my Weber 22 grate when I was burning off accumulated gunk.

[Spinaker]

You need a heavier gauge steel to take those temps. Or dare I say.....Cast Iron grates?

[Spinaker]

Yeah, you might be right. But I do it on my KBQ, which is a contained, open fire, and it works great. You could always try some heavy steel skewers. That might work as well. dshein01

[Troutman]

I tried this with one of the grates from my Weber gasser, it's made form 3/8" - 305 stainless bar stock, bullet proof !!

[dshein01]

Thanks all!

[Huskee]

That is a beautiful plate of food! I don't have anything else to offer than what's been said already really such as using a heavier grate and SS.

[Thom Emery]

http://unknownbbq.com/chimney-griller/. Maybe worth a look

[dshein01]

woah, have you used it?

[PappyBBQ]

wow. I LIKE!

[Thom Emery]

Its been shipped Ill do a picture thread after I cook on it

[Powersmoke_80]

I made one out of 3/8" 304 SST rods with 1/4"rods welded through the centers. I did this for the steak cook off, and no warping at warp 10.