Hinged or "Set On" Top for Built in Griddle?

[jfmorris]

Ok folks, I gotta bring this poll to everyone's attention, and get some more respondents, as I am finally to the point I *NEED* to do something about a hard cover for the Camp Chef FTG900. Over the winter the canvas cover that I've had since June 2020 has started to leak water, and I had to clean a little surface rust off and re-season the top to flip some burgers on Monday. Thankfully I think the well seasoned surface and the fact I always oil it after use kept the rust just on the surface, as it all came off with a chain mail scrubber, rags and elbow grease.

So the options seem less than before. What I can find today for this griddle are:

1. Stainless Set-On / Hang-on-back cover:

https://www.outdoorkitchenequip.com/stainless-cover-for-camp-chef-ftg900

The advantage there is a flat table type surface when you are not cooking.

2. Hinged black painted cover:

https://www.amazon.com/Backyard-Life-Gear-Compatible-Griddle/dp/B0966TCKGL

The advantage here is you don't have to find somewhere to set it if I build the grill into an outdoor kitchen.


Thoughts? Anyone know of any others that will fit the FTG900?


Right now I am leaning towards #1, after seeing Bob K 's setup above, as I can easily find some hinges for it...

Jim

[jfmorris]

Ok - I've reached out to Outdoor Kitchen Equipment to see if that stainless or hinged model are even still available. Their answer will determine the way I go, but I am leaning to the stainless, and I'll add hinges like Bob K if I get tired of hanging it off the back...

My cart will need some TLC this summer as well, with some black grill paint... rain tends to blow up under the canvas cover and the bottom shelf is looking pretty rough...

[STEbbq]

I think this is a reasonable thought process.

[Bob K]

Just chiming in here to say I'm still very happy with the way our setup is working out. The hinges hold the lid where you want it and still no rust or corrosion. Definitely took a few hours to measure 2, 3, 4 times, lol, but after almost 3 years it's still looking and working great. Can't recommend those hinges I linked to above more. Order some extra spacers and fender washers so you can line everything up right and you'll wish you did it months ago.

[jfmorris]

Bob K thanks! I am in contact with the guy that makes/sells these. Small business, and it took all day to get a response out of him on how to do a paypal transaction to order the thing. Waiting on an invoice from him now.

[jfmorris]

Ok, sent a PayPal payment for this new stainless steel top.

The delimma now is do I replace the disintegrating Camp Chef soft cover too, and keep one over this. I am thinking not... especially since I wouldn't be able to use such a cover if I build it into an outdoor kitchen. Anything I keep on the shelves under the Camp Chef is kept in plastic bins with lids. I may move those 2-3 bins of tools and such to the backyard shed though, to tidy things up...

As I mentioned before, the cart and side shelves need some TLC with high temp grill paint anyway. I have to say that I like the Camp Chef stuff, but their paint or powder coating leaves a lot to be desired. As does the finish on things like bezels. The chromed plastic bezel around all 6 knobs on front of the flat top grill have been peeling and looking like crap since it was a year old or less. And their warranty excludes cosmetic stuff.

[jfmorris]

After all this time, I just realized this year old discussion is in the wrong location - under outdoor kitchens instead of flat top grills / griddles, haha.

Anyway, I finally got the top for the Camp Chef late last week, but it was raining, and I stuck it in the shed and forgot about it until today. If you order from the same place, he took about a week and half after I paid him via PayPal before he finally got around to shipping.

I was kinda worried as the plastic film was cut in a few places, but any scratches that made it through are so minor it doesn't really show. And I am sure I will scratch it before too long. If anything, if I have this and no canvas cover, I gotta get all the crap cleaned off those storage shelves, and also repaint or replace the bottom one. I had a SNS Deluxe hanging out on the bottom shelf, and it caused paint to peel and rust to form. The bottom shelf has sidewalk chalk and bubble stuff for the 3 year old to play with out back! All that stuff is going to the shed.

Anyway, here's a front shot.



I am not sure I like the way it hangs. I feel that the hooks really needed to be longer, but maybe then they would touch the griddle surface?



You can kind of see the angle in these next two shots. And I need to scrub the stainless at the ends by the side tables! The new cover makes the 4 year old cooker look shabby!



It just kicks out more than I expected. And he sized it to the griddle top, not the cart. It will nest over one side of the support structure, but not both.




Anyway, I think it looks good, and I will at some point do hinges like Bob K showed. Now I just gotta decide if I put the canvas cover back, or leave it off. As much dirt as is on the lower shelves, I feel wind blows crap up under there anyway, even if the cover does offer some shelter.

[Bob K]

Also jfmorris - I found those side shelves on the cart a bit treacherous - so much heat coming out the sides that I had to be super careful not to burn or melt anything. Melted through my water squeeze bottle and the edge of a plastic cafeteria-type tray on a couple of occasions lol. Much better now having the counter space to either side, which is high enough above that the heat's not an issue. Definitely need a stone product surround though to be safe.

[hoovarmin]

jfmorris this is the one I have as well and I got it on Etsy for like $225

[hoovarmin]

jfmorris https://www.etsy.com/listing/6418038...f=yr_purchases

[jfmorris]

Well, last night since about midnight, until now, we've had multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms and high winds roll though. When it dries out, I'll inspect the Camp Chef, and see how well it fared in the rain, with just the stainless lid on it, and no canvas cover. I already moved everything except the drip cup to my backyard shed...

Biggest issue will likely be standing water on the shelves, both side and underneath. And I wonder if standing water drying out will spot the stainless top as well. Time will tell... I'll just be happy if the cooking surface stays dry and rust free!

[Panhead John]

Jim, have you thought about getting a protective griddle mat?

https://griddlebuddy.com/products/griddle-buddy-pro-usa-36?variant=45516824445247&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=20455255827&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw48-vBhBbEiwAzqrZVNP7Fh8VrcMrAzL-ZcpS3JFCiyRcH7fWhc3sBfjfysIEmcueuuZAghoCH2cQAvD_BwE

[jfmorris]

Panhead John they don't make one big enough. My griddle top is 20.5 x 45.5 inches. 19.5 deep if you don't include the grease trough, but I would want it covered too.

I think I will be good - I *hope* I am, with the stainless cover fully lapping over all edges of the griddle. That was my plan for when I built it into an outdoor kitchen anyway, so just getting a preview of it while still on the cart.

[hoovarmin]

The one I have is not hinged, but it has metal tabs on each end that slide over the back of the griddle backsplash and allow it to hang down out of the way. I don't have to find anywhere to put it and it doesn't obstruct the view. I will try to take some pics and share them later.

[hoovarmin]

LOL I should have read the entire thread!