Scissor lift for a Parrilla

[Henrik]

So, I guess this is one of those “how can I build this” questions. I did fabricate a Parrilla a while back, used it and then sold it. I also fabricated a Parrilla accessory for the kettle grill, where the grates are lowered or raised with a crank shaft, just like most commercial ones have.

One idea I’ve had in my head for a year or so is to fabricate a small asado grill where the grates can be lowered or raised in the same manner, but where it doesn’t take up so much room. And then I thought about scissor lifts. And that should work, right? I want to put the lift mechanism underneath the grates (and to one side), so I can rake coals under it freely, but crank up the grates with a wheel on the front of the cooker.

All ye smart pit builders, whaddayathink? Can it be done? I’m thinking 2 grates, one left and one right, instead of one wide as in the photo below.

[Bkhuna]

Best of luck. I would like to see the end product.

[johnec00]

Weld the grate to one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/Fasmov-Scissor-Jack-1-5-Ton-Black/dp/B01MUODRKY/ref=sr_1_12?keywords=low+profile+scissor+jack&qid= 1689006392&sr=8-12

Lifts 1.5 tons (1360Kg) of brisket

Or maybe not

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

The problem is leverage, and without hydraulics or a spring (unless they make long lasting high temp ones?) I'm struggling to envision a system strong enough to balance and lift/lower a loaded grate that also has limited space in the firebox.

Not being THAT kind of engineer, I'm very interested to see what you or others come up with.

[Greygoose]

I think it’s possible,,
checkout YouTube,,,there are some extremely talented metal fabricators in Mexico that have made some pretty amazing bbq grills
if I find one I’ll add the link,,,

[LA Pork Butt]

I would be interested in seeing what you come up with, but that kind of design is above my pay grade.

[Jim White]

I'm thinking something along the lines of a scissor jack will do the job for you:


Maybe one on either end of a normal grate. It could be tricky raising and lowering them in a way to keep things level, but it might be possible to rig something that would turn both screws at once. Heck, maybe even a motor drive of some sort: just push the up or down button!

[Henrik]

Yes, this is exactly what I’ve been thinking. No need for synchronized sides, I think there’s a benefit in having two grates moving independently.

[Alan Brice]

Battery drill w/socket. zip,zip.

[CaptainMike]

That's the first thing that popped in my head as well. It should be pretty simple to puzzle the mechanism out.

[Oak Smoke]

The scissor jack idea is a great place to start. It would need a couple more crossings and hinges. It would be fairly easy to power with a long piece of all thread or have a lead screw of the threads per inch or threads per millimeter you want turned at a machine shop. There will be several pinch points when you start down with it to be careful of. I think it’s a great idea.

[Donw]

I would be concerned about warping, rust, grease and dirt buildup on moving joints, and then torque when the load on the grates are not even. Simple cutouts or welded in support spacers would allow you to change heights readily. I have neither but what does Hasty Bake or LSG do it on their adjustable charcoal grills?

[Bad Hat BBQ]

The Nuke (New Grand Prize??) has a lever mechanism.....

I like the crank system....Just got mine recently and I hung a pineapple while I was cooking flank steak and chicken thighs.

[barelfly]

Keep showing more pics of that!

[Bad Hat BBQ]

Just posted in SUWYC...."Grilled Salad Santa Maria Style"

Rosalita is pretty cool rig.

[Troutman]

I just purchased one of these and did an inaugural cook over the weekend. It's an inverted Santa Maria. Pitts and Spitts and LSG here in Houston make several different models. You raise the fire grates while the grill grate remains static. There's a side handle that simply raises and lowers the fire grate to 6 different positions. Saves a lot of space, you don't have that large overhead hardware sticking up 5' into the air and you get a lid to boot. Maybe consider doing one like this....

[ofelles]

Lets see some pics of the cook. Also what you cooked and how it turned out. Please.

[Troutman]

To be honest ofelles I did a burn in on Saturday, got some tomahawk pork chops and chicken leg quarters on Sunday and tried the thing out. Pork Chops came out great but the chicken got a little burnt. I built too big a fire on one side, next go round I'll ramp it down. This thing gets up to 600*F with a chimney of Fogo and a quarter split of oak wood. Unreal. I'll post when I get better results, I know what to do now.

[ofelles]

Troutman Ya, I was surprised by how hot my SM gets and needed to build smaller fire.

[bbqLuv]

Need two lift mechanisms, one on each end. Also, they would need to be synchronized.
In theory, it will work.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

they don't have to bey syncro'd, 2 separate but identical or at least mirrored units

[bbqLuv]

ItsAllGoneToTheDogs
Thank you for reading my comment.

[Henrik]

I really like the grill Troutman purchased. Raising the coal grates instead of the grill grates, plus a lid. That really is a sweet grill!