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There is only one thing better than a big cooker and that is a big cooker with big options. We worked with the XL for over two years: designing, building and redesigning set-up scenarios. We think we’ve hit on something big with the Flip Ring, Hanger and 21.5-inch Grid Combo. Together, they take full advantage of the XL’s capabilities. We hope you like ‘em!

6 Pork Butts, approx. 50 lbs	Two Grid Set-Up Outlined Below

The “nuts and bolts” of the designs are:

Flip Ring:
	Flip down raises the XL grid to the felt line, approximately 2.0 inches above the fire ring.   The small ring hugs the fire ring’s wall for minimal interference.  In the down position, the studs align with the dimples atop the fire ring.  It’s your call, whether you place the studs in or out of the dimples.  Out raises the grid a smidge higher. Overall height is approximately 4.375 inches. Six zig-zag style studs connect the two rings. The material is 1/4-inch, 304 stainless round bar. The two ring diameters are 20 & 23-inches, outside diameter. Flip up raises the 21.5-inch grid approximately 4.50 inches above the lower XL grid or fire ring.   In the up position, the stud’s outer bend acts as a bumper and keeps the Flip Ring centered on the fire ring or XL grid.
Hanger:
	Hangs from the dimples atop the fire ring or flip up for added versatility. The long parallel legs are approximately 11 inches apart. The two center crossbars are approximately 7.75 inches apart. The diagonal measurement across the piece is approximately 20-inches.So, round objects 12 to 19.5-inches in diameters will sit on the Hanger. Square and rectangular size objects will vary. The material is 5/16-inch, 304 stainless round bar.
21.5-Inch Grid:
	Actual diameter is 21.5-inches.  Just about equals the XL grid for useable space, when compared to an XL grid sitting on the fire ring.   Includes two handles for easy maneuvering.  One center support bar. The material is 8 gage (0.129”) brite basic steel and nickel plated.    An acceptable substitute grid is Weber’s 22.5-inch nickel grid, model #70901.  Actual diameter of the Weber grid is 21.5-inches.
Note:  Using the Flip Ring in the up position puts the 21.5-inch 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) is a preferred monitoring method when cooking high in the dome.  Now that you are familiar with the designs, let’s look at set-up options.

For grilling, there are two set-up methods.  The basic differences between the two set-ups are the height of the grid and access to the lump.

Direct Option 1:  This is a quick set-up and only requires the Flip Ring and XL Grid.  The set-up raises the XL grid to the felt rim.   Raising the grid to the felt rim creates more space between the grid and the lump.   Plus handling food, tongs and such is easier.   To complete the set-up, simply:

• Load the XL with lump and wood chunks.  Light the lump.
• Set the Flip Ring in the down position on the fire ring.  In or out of the dimples is your call.  The smaller ring hugs the inside wall of the fire ring, so it’s not in the way when working the lump.
• Set the XL grid over the Flip Ring’s 23-inch ring.
• That’s it! 

Direct Option 2:  If you desire more space between the lump and grid, we recommend using the Flip Ring and the 21.5-inch grid.  This set-up creates at least 8-inches of open air between the lump (top of the firebox) and 21.5-inch grid.   Plus, there is ample space under the grid to access the lump or add wood chunks during the cook.  

• Load the XL with lump and wood chunks.  Light the lump.
• Place the Flip Ring in the up position on the fire ring;
• Set the 21.5-inch grid on the Flip Ring’s upper ring;  
• Or, if you like two grids, place the XL grid on the fire ring, set the Flip Ring (Up) on the XL grid and add the 21.5-inch grid atop the Flip Ring.
• That’s it!

With both set-up options, we recommend setting the Hanger if you think you’ll need to change over to an indirect cook.  It makes for a quick change.

Any set-up solution would not be complete without the ability to go indirect for low & slow cooks.  That’s why we developed the Hanger to hold indirect piece(s), pizza stone or stone/pan combo.  

You may wonder why we did not create an XL Spider.  We played with an XL Spider design but nixed the idea.  Simply, given the large diameter of the fire ring and concentric dimple pattern atop the fire ring, a rectangular shape is easier to use, provides better options and is more cost effective.  We beefed up the material to 5/16-inch thickness for added strength.  

The Hanger will hold any round object from 12 to 19.5-inches in diameter.  If you are interested in using a pizza stone as an indirect piece we do not recommend the specialty baking, off brand or discount store stones.  Most break easily due to the temperature fluctuations in the cooker.  We do not recommend BGE’s XL stone as it does not fit our pieces.   Some stones to consider are:

• BGE’s large 14-inch stone, although it might be a tad small.
• Primo Grills and Smokers large 15.5-inch stone, bigger choice over the 14-inch.
• Laguna Clay or equivalent kiln shelves: 16 & 19 inch diameters pictured.   More on these stones at the end of the narrative.

16 inch stone	19 inch stone	18 inch pan

In the pan section of the shopping cart we carry a wide variety of round pans.  We recommend the 18-inch round pan for the XL.

With this set-up, the Hanger holds the indirect piece(s) in the fire ring.  The XL grid is the lower grid and sits on the fire ring.  The top grid is the 21.5-inch grid.  It’s positioned approximately 4.5-inches above the XL grid, by the Flip Ring.  This is the set-up used in the pork butt cook pictured at the beginning of the narrative.

Here is what to do:

1. Load the XL with lump and wood chunks.   Light the lump.   You can fill up to one-third of the fire ring with lump.
2. Set the Hanger on the fire ring. The Hanger sits in the dimples and hangs into the fire ring.
3. You’ll need a pizza stone and/or pizza pan for the indirect piece.
4. Place the XL grid on the fire ring and set the stone on top to warm up.
5. When you’re ready to begin the cook, wearing hand protection, lift the grid and place the stone on the Hanger.  Add a drip pan on the stone and replace the XL grid on the fire ring. 
6. Load the XL grid with the cook.
7. Place the Flip Ring, up position, and 21.5-inch grid on the XL grid.
8. Load the 21.5-inch grid and begin the cook.
9. Chances are that during the cook you will need to rotate the food to get the optimum bark. Plan accordingly by having a designated work space outside the cooker to set the upper grid.

The one grid, indirect cook is probably the most common low & slow cook.  We’ve played with the pieces and have come up with four alternative set-ups (no doubt, more are possible).  The primary difference between the set-ups is the distance between pieces.  We recommend experimenting a bit with the set-ups.  However, in the long run you’ll produce better results by settling on one specific set-up.  It’s that consistency in cooking thing!     

Indirect Option 1:  This set-up creates the greatest space between the indirect pieces and grid.  It’s similar to the raised and direct set-up using the 21.5-inch grid outlined above, just indirect now.

1. Load the XL with lump and smoking wood.  Light the lump. You can fill up to one-third of the fire ring with lump.
2. Set the Hanger on the fire ring. Make sure the Hanger sits in the dimples.
3. You’ll need a pizza stone and/or pizza pan for the indirect piece.
4. Set the Flip Ring on the fire ring in the up position.
5. Set the 21.5-inch grid on the Flip Ring, along with the stone to warm up.
6. When you’re ready to begin the cook, wearing hand protection, place the stone on the Hanger.  Add a drip pan on the stone and replace the 21.5-inch grid. 
7. Load the grid and begin the cook.

Indirect Option 2:  This set-up creates space between the grid, drip pan and indirect piece.

1. Load the XL with lump and smoking wood.  Light the lump.  You can fill up to two-thirds of the fire ring with lump.   Not sure you need that much lump though!
2. Set the XL grid on the fire ring.  Set the indirect piece, pizza stone, on the grid.
3. Set the Hanger upside down in the dimples.  The Hanger sits above the fire ring. The legs on the Hanger slip between the XL grid crossbars.  The crossbars prevent the Hanger from sliding.
4. Set the Flip Ring, up position, on the XL Grid.
5. Place the drip pan on the Hanger.
6. Add the 21.5-inch grid on the Flip Ring.
7. Load the 21.5-inch grid and begin the cook.

Indirect Option 2a:

Instead of using the XL grid to hold the stone in step 2 above, we offer two stainless rods (1/4-inch stainless round bar) to hold the stone.  The rods sit in the dimples with the Hanger.  The benefit of the support rods over the XL grid is the two rods allow access to the firebox.

When it comes to one grid cooks, this is our favorite method.  Simply, the set-up:

• let’s you load into the fire ring with lump;
• establishes a void between the pan and stone; and
• creates open access to the lump for adding smoking wood during the cook. 

Indirect Option 3: This set-up provides the greatest space between the lump and indirect piece. 

1. Load the XL with lump and wood chunks.  You can fill the firebox.  Light the lump.
2. Set the Hanger upside down in the dimples atop the fire ring.  It sits above the fire ring.
3. Set the Flip Ring, up position, on the fire ring.
4. You’ll need a pizza stone and/or pan for the indirect piece.
5. Set the indirect piece(s) on the Hanger.
6. Set the 21.5-inch grid atop the Flip Ring.
7. Load the 21.5-inch grid and begin the cook.

Indirect Option 4:  Hopefully by now you get the idea on how the pieces interact.  So the last option is also pictured above under Direct Option 1.  The set-up is basically: Flip Ring in the down position with the studs in the dimples, Hanger above the Flip Ring and positioned atop the fire ring (picture below), stone and pan on the Hanger and the XL Grid on top.

Our preferred method for searing or blackening steaks is to sear in the fire ring and finish high in the dome.  This method is akin to a chef searing/blackening atop a gas cook top and finishing to the desired temperature (doneness) in the oven.  Pictured is a BGE 18-inch cast iron grid sitting on the Hanger.  Sear on the cast iron grid, drop in the Flip Ring (up position) and finish the steaks on the 21.5-inch grid in the dome. 

Ceramic Stone Info:  Earlier we mentioned the larger ceramic stones (kiln shelves).  Here are the particulars.  The ceramic shelves are from Laguna Clay, a popular kiln manufacturer.

We had the shelves shipped together via FedEx.  The total shipping cost was about $35.  Each arrived well packaged and in one piece.   

We have yet to find a kiln shelf between 16 & 19 inches.  There are several kiln manufacturers who produce 15.5 inch round shelves.  The best thing to do is surf the web using kiln shelves or kiln furniture as search phrases.  Contact local kiln retailers too.       

Laguna Clay’s Website:  www.lagunaclay.com