changed my mini heat shield


 
Jeff Padell

Jeff Padell

TVWBB Pro
When I first built the mini I simply dropped a sharcoal grate from an 18.5 down the pot and it rested on the lip of the indent for the steamer tray. It just barely fit and I always was concerned it would drop down.
I decided to simplify it, I took 3 4 inch 1/4 inch bolts and made a "holder" for my ceramic planter base or whatever else I want to put there as a heat diffuser.

0607141352_zps3db31257.jpg
 
Word of caution, Steve over at BBQ Bros did the same for his original WSM mini. If you read his blog you'll note he found out eventually that the weight of the terra cota plate started to cause the sides of the pot to buckle - he now uses a pizza pan. http://bbqbros.net/how-to-build-a-mini-weber-smokey-mountain/

I just built mine this weekend and have done only one cook. I agree, I find the charcoal grate from and 18.5 fits just barely on the steamer lip and just a few moments ago was looking at it and considering fixes/options. Now, the food grate from my Smokey Joe is just slightly bigger and fits on the lip perfect. So I'm wondering if ordering another Smokey Joe food grate is going to be my fix.
 
G Savrnoch said:
Word of caution, Steve over at BBQ Bros did the same for his original WSM mini. If you read his blog you'll note he found out eventually that the weight of the terra cota plate started to cause the sides of the pot to buckle - he now uses a pizza pan. http://bbqbros.net/how-to-build-a-mini-weber-smokey-mountain/

I just built mine this weekend and have done only one cook. I agree, I find the charcoal grate from and 18.5 fits just barely on the steamer lip and just a few moments ago was looking at it and considering fixes/options. Now, the food grate from my Smokey Joe is just slightly bigger and fits on the lip perfect. So I'm wondering if ordering another Smokey Joe food grate is going to be my fix.
Click to expand...
Another way to go is to clip the 18.5" kettle charcoal grate and let it drop past the indent to the bottom of the pot.
The diffuser then sits on this grate.
This frees up the pot's indent so it can be utilized for the bottom cooking grate.

The pic shows 2 cuts but apparently 1 cut is enough to pass by the indent.
Pic is from BDSkelly's build over at smokingmeat.
350x700px-LL-84a80f34_PC290009.jpeg

BD also used the pot lid, riveted to the very bottom of the pot to gain 3/4" - 1" in elevation.
This was cut out simultaneously with the bottom by temp-riveting the two elements together.
Smart build.
 
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Joe, what size diffuser do you use? If I did this mod as shown in your pic, my 12" TC plate would likely block most if not all of the opening cut out in the bottom of my pot.
 
G Savrnoch said:
Joe, what size diffuser do you use? If I did this mod as shown in your pic, my 12" TC plate would likely block most if not all of the opening cut out in the bottom of my pot.
Click to expand...
I have not built mine yet....still collecting parts.


BDSkelly from smokingmeat uses the 12" terra cotta saucer...

350x700px-LL-95928567_PC290010.jpeg




Lower cooking grate installed on indent....

350x700px-LL-ab8a890e_PC290011.jpeg




I'm leaning toward this design.
Probably have a mid-grate and a tip-top grate as well.
I'll try to base my spacing on rolled rib height and/or breast up chicken height.
Beer can chicken should work easily on the mid-grate with the tip-top grate left out.



Sorry about the hijack but I love to exchange Mini WSM intel.
 
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Joe
I like your idea of the grate on the bottom and the terra cotta on that, I can shorten my bolts and have them for the bottom grate.

The only think I have noticed is that depending on how much charcoal I put in the ring I can push the grate and diffuser.
 
Jeff Padell said:
Joe
I like your idea of the grate on the bottom and the terra cotta on that, I can shorten my bolts and have them for the bottom grate.

The only think I have noticed is that depending on how much charcoal I put in the ring I can push the grate and diffuser.
Click to expand...
This is where BDSkelly used the lid mod at the bottom to gain a little elevation of the pot above the SJ bowl.
The Vasconia lid does mate up nicely with the SJ bowl....on mine I would gain a bit over 3/4"....it isn't much but I'll take it.

Someone else did a flared charcoal basket which looked pretty cool and added horizontal capacity.
 
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