eggAccessories

Sliding Grids

Ironically, we did not set out to design sliding grids.  We just wanted a better way to cook multiple slabs of ribs using the smoke-foil-sauce (x-x-x) method.  We tried vertical rib holders but found them challenging during the foil and sauce stages.   We tried to load up the large grid but found that the ribs burn when positioned outside the indirect piece.  So, we started tinkering with the Adjustable Rig.  What we ended up with is more than a rib rack, we invented Sliding Grids.

Please note: The Slide Guide System is designed to fit the Large Big Green Egg® ceramic cooker only.  Plus, the Slide Guide System requires the Adjustable Rig as its “work” platform.

Before going any further, we need to mention that it only takes a little “playing” to become familiar with the Slide Guide System.  However, using the set-up effectively requires proficiency with the ceramic cooker, Adjustable Rig and Spider.   The two-grid set-up requires experience cooking in the dome and is similar to cooking atop the Adjustable Rig. The three-grid set-up is more detailed as the cook places grids at, above and below the felt line.

If you are new to ceramic cooking, we recommend that you gain a little experience before tackling the Slide Guide System.  The added experience will shorten your learning curve and make cooking more enjoyable.  We are just keeping it real!

It is possible to set-up four grids.  Honestly, we really don’t see much use for this set-up unless you are a fan of jerky.   

Using an Oval Grid atop the Rig Extender is not mandatory.  Any grid that fits on the Rig Extender and in the dome should work.  However, the benefit of using all Oval grids is the grids are interchangeable.  So when it comes to rotating food, you just move the grids and not the food.

We carry an 11” x 15” x 1”rectangular, aluminum pan specifically for the Basic and Two Grid, Slide Guide System.  It’s the best pan we’ve found to work in each set-up.  Please note it’s the only pan we’ve found to fit scenario (2a) in the Basic set-up, large grid on the Rig.  The pan does not work with the three grid system as it requires the Spider.

Also, using the Rig Extender puts the grid and food high in the dome.  It is possible that the BGE thermometer may get in the way.  Please see our Pertinent Information section on dealing with the BGE thermometer.   A remote thermometer (Maverick ET-73 or such) is a preferred monitoring method when cooking high in the dome.     

We recommend setting up the Slide Guides before the cook.  It only takes seconds.

 
 
Slide Guide on level 4.5 (pictured above): You can do it in or out of the cooker. First set one Crossbar in the top front brackets on the Adjustable Rig.  Then with the Slide Guide in hand, simply slip the roundbar with the nut ends into the Adjustable Rig’s back brackets (level 4.5) and lower the Guide onto the front Crossbar. 

Slide Guide on level 3.0 or 1.5: It is easiest to set these Slide Guides with the Adjustable Rig out of the cooker.  It’s the same basic step as above, except don’t forget to slip the Slide Guide under the Adjustable Rig’s front support ring before seating the Slide Guide into the back brackets.

This is as easy as it gets.  Surprisingly, it’s handy and a time saver!   The Basic set-up is:

1. Place one Slide Guide on bracket level 4.5;
2. Grid placement can be either
1. one large grid (BGE or stainless) on top of the Adjustable Rig; or
2. the Rig Extender on top of the Adjustable Rig and one grid (Oval) on the Rig Extender;
3. The pan rests and slides in and out on the Slide Guide.

The Basic set-up provides real flexibility for controlling temperatures and drippings.  Just slide the pan in or out whenever you like.  Plus, it’s a lazy cook’s dream for an indirect cook as the pan acts as the indirect piece. 


Cool thing is from the felt line down; it’s a clear shot to the lump.  So, adding wood chunks is quick.  Also, if you want to cook direct and far from the lump, we recommend the Rig Extender with a grid atop the Adjustable Rig.  This set-up puts the grid approximately 11.5-inches above the top of the firebox.

To complete a two-grid set-up, you need (1) Adjustable Rig, (1) Rig Extender, (1) Slide Guide, (2) Oval Grids and (2) pair Crossbars.    For indirect, you’ll need a pan. 

Key points on this set-up are:

• You’ll need a work area outside the cooker for the Adjustable Rig.
• The Adjustable Rig acts as the “work” platform.
• The cooking is above the felt line. 
• There is approximately 2.75-inches of space between grids;
• Easy to set-up;
• When the set-up is complete, the only pieces that move are the two Oval Grids. 
• The top grid need not be an Oval Grid.  However, the benefit of using Oval Grids is the grids are interchangeable.  To rotate the food, just switch the Oval Grids!
• If you need to access the lump, just lift the loaded Adjustable Rig out of the cooker.  The cooker is now empty.
• It can be used for more than just ribs.

What to do:

1. Load the egg with lump and smoking wood.  You can fill the fire ring with lump.  Light the lump and bring the egg to your desired temperature.
2. On the Adjustable Rig, set one pair of Crossbars on level 1.5 (lowest bracket setting on the Rig).  Set the indirect piece, pan or pan/stone on the Crossbars.  We prefer a rectangular pan as it comes close to matching the Oval Grid’s shape.
3. Set one Slide Guide on level 4.5 (highest bracket setting on the Rig).
4. Carefully, set the Adjustable Rig on the fire ring. 
5. Slip the Rig Extender atop the Rig.
6. When ready, slide one loaded Oval Grid on the Slide Guide and place the second Oval grid atop the Rig Extender. Begin the cook.

To complete a three-grid set-up, you need (1) Adjustable Rig, (1) Rig Extender, (2) Slide Guides, (3) Oval Grids and (1) Spider.  We suggest adding (1) additional set of Crossbars, so you can set-up a two grid cook also.

Key points on this set-up are:

• You need a work area outside the cooker for the Adjustable Rig.
• The Adjustable Rig acts as the “work” platform for the three Oval Grids.
• The Spider holds the indirect piece(s): pan or pan/stone.
• You can work the upper two grids without removing the Rig.  To work the lowest grid, the Adjustable Rig must be removed from the cooker.
• There are approximately 2.75-inches of space between grids.

What to do:

1. Load the egg with lump and smoking wood. You can load up to one-third of the fire ring.  Light the lump.

2. Set the Spider on the fire ring.  Refer to the Adjustable Rig Page for details on using the Spider.  Set the indirect piece(s) on the Spider.
3. With the Adjustable Rig outside the cooker, set one Slide Guide on level 1.5 (lowest bracket setting on the Rig) and then set one Slide Guide on level 4.5 (highest bracket setting).
4. Slip the Rig Extender atop the Adjustable Rig.
5. When you are ready to begin the cook, slide one loaded Oval Grid on each Slide Guide.  Place the third Oval Grid atop the Rig Extender.  Or, load the two lower grids and load the top grid on the Rig Extender after loading the Adjustable Rig in the cooker, step 6.
6. Carefully (keep the Rig level and move slowly), load the Adjustable Rig into the cooker and begin the cook.   Moving the loaded Adjustable Rig is easiest if you cup your fingers under the Adjustable Rig’s upper ring and use your thumbs to hold the top Oval Grid/Rig Extender in place.  You can load the top grid on the Rig Extender after you loaded the Adjustable Rig in the cooker.
7. When rotating grids, it’s best to rotate in one direction: top down or bottom up.  It’s also a good idea to get into the habit of rotating the same way during all cooks.

As mentioned earlier, we designed the Sliding Grids to slow smoke whole slabs of pork ribs.   A typical pork slab holds 11-14 bones and runs up to 18-inches in length.   At 17.5-inches long, the Oval Grid is long enough to handle most slabs.  The Oval Grid is 13-inches wide.  The load capacity per set-up is highlighted in the chart below.  St. Louis style depends on trimmed width; Remember the grid is 13 inches wide. 

Whenever possible we recommend a rectangular pan for the drip pan.  The pan acts effectively as an indirect barrier near the slab ends.  The 11”x15”x1” pan is a good size for the Basic and Two Grid cooks.  If need be, just add a bit of foil along the pan edges to extend the indirect barrier under the ribs.  The 11”x15”x1” aluminum pan is listed in the Drip Pan Section, under the “Shop” tab. 

We like smoking full slabs for a couple reasons: 

• Maybe it’s just us, but there is something about displaying/handling full slabs that half slabs just can’t match.  Maybe it’s the way a full slab dwarfs a dinner plate. Or, maybe it is how a full slab handles or hangs from the tongs.  We’re not sure why but guest anticipation is always greater with a full slab vs. half slabs.
• It is easier to keep up with full slabs than twice as many half racks.  Have you ever wondered with tongs in hand: Hmmm, did I flip/rotate that rack or now where did that one (special) rack go?  And what about filling a grid to capacity only to find when flipping or rotating later, the ribs don’t fit.
• With foiling, the fewer foil sheets required the better.  This means the cooker is open less and mistakes (torn foil, shortage of foil liquid) are less likely to occur.

Cooking ribs is relatively straightforward.  It’s a matter of becoming comfortable recognizing how the ribs on each level are progressing and then rotate accordingly.   During your first cook or two, we recommend that you start by dividing each stage’s cooking time by the number of grids and rotate equally.  For example, on the 3-1-1 method the first stage is three hours.  So, rotate at 1.5 hours with two grids and every hour with three grids.   You will probably find it’s not necessary to rotate during 1-hour stages.  One tidbit to note, the top ribs can baste the lower ribs.

If you like, you can rotate or flip the slab(s) on each grid.  Plus, if the rear of the cooker is running hot, simply turn the grid 180 degrees during the cook or spin the entire Rig.

Using the Slide Guides, Rig Extender and Oval Grids is only limited by your imagination.  For example, if you enjoy smoking ribs direct, just drop the Rig Extender on the Adjustable Rig with an Oval Grid and you are set.   Again, that’s about as high as you can go and still get full slabs in the dome. 

We’ve tried pizza on the Rig Extender.  Ok, they were frozen pizzas but we liked the way it turned out.   There are alternative set-ups to control heat distribution around the pizza.

We’ve also used the set-up to keep food separated.  This is handy when working with like-kind food seasoned with different rubs.   It’s saved us several times from mixing things up after a beer or two!