Cook box questions


 

DrewLok

TVWBB Member
How does one check the cook box for warpage?
Are there any telltale signs?

This question pertains to the 13 flavorizer bar cook box.
Which bolt size do you use to secure the manifold, there are two required
1/4-20 x 1/2"
1/4-20 x 2"
or
1/4-20 x 1 1/4"
 
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Drew: I believe the manifold bolts are 1-1/2"

Look along the top front edge of the cook box. That is where warpage normally happens. It should be straight acrosss. Also, on the sides, just above the frame level it bow out a bit sometimes.
 
Drew: I believe the manifold bolts are 1-1/2"

Look along the top front edge of the cook box. That is where warpage normally happens. It should be straight acrosss. Also, on the sides, just above the frame level it bow out a bit sometimes.
Hi Bruce

Which of the two would work for the manifold bolts?



 
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Good question! Warping usually shows up as the front lip bowing out or the ledges where the grates sit becoming uneven, causing the grates to fall in. Check along the top front edge it should be straight and also the sides, just above the frame, for any bowing. For the manifold bolts, 1-1/4" or 1-1/2" might work, depending on your grill. If you spot warping, it might be time to consider repairs or a replacement.
So if its a case of the cooking grates not sitting flush on the top front edge, is that considered warpage?
 
So if its a case of the cooking grates not sitting flush on the top front edge, is that considered warpage?
Show a picture of the issue Drew.

Also, regarding your bolt question, The first two of the three choices look to be only 1/2" long bolts. You need 1 1/4" or longer. I think factory is 1-1/4" but 1-1/2" would work fine as well. 1/4"-20 x 2" bolts are needed for the Cookbox on the left side.

These are what I have used in the past: https://boltdepot.com/Product-Details?product=132
 
Show a picture of the issue Drew.

Also, regarding your bolt question, The first two of the three choices look to be only 1/2" long bolts. You need 1 1/4" or longer. I think factory is 1-1/4" but 1-1/2" would work fine as well. 1/4"-20 x 2" bolts are needed for the Cookbox on the left side.

These are what I have used in the past: https://boltdepot.com/Product-Details?product=132
Thank you for confirming and posting the link for the correct size bolt.
I took the Weber apart before the weather got too COLD for easier storage and to see what parts I was planning to replace in the spring.
Upon inspection of the bolts for the manifold looks like I used 1/4"-20 x 1/2".
I’ll post a picture of the cookbox issue shortly.
 
Upon inspection of the bolts for the manifold looks like I used 1/4"-20 x 1/2".
I’ll post a picture of the cookbox issue shortly.
That's the size bolt that is used for the frame, way too short for the manifold. There should be no issue. Use the correct size bolts.
 
Yah, those shorter 1/2" bolts are way too short for manifold bolts. They are frame bolts as Steve indicated. They are likely not stainless steel either.
 
Show a picture of the issue Drew.
RC Planer grates
Is the length of the grates a tad short between the front and rear edges of the cook box? The grates don't fall into the cook box but there is some wiggle room.
Any sign of warpage on the cook box?
 

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Yah, those shorter 1/2" bolts are way too short for manifold bolts. They are frame bolts as Steve indicated. They are likely not stainless steel either.
When the Weber was refreshed back in 2019 the manifold was replaced. I tossed all the bolts during disassembly and assumed the manifold bolts were the same as the frame bolts. All the bolts were replaced with 316 stainless steel.
The only exception was the bolt that secures the cook box to the frame.
 
It's normal for there to be some play in the grates. If you push a grate all the way to the back of the grill and the distance between the grate and the front lip of the cook box is uneven it is probably bowed out. The gap will widen from the side of the grill to the middle.
 
It's normal for there to be some play in the grates. If you push a grate all the way to the back of the grill and the distance between the grate and the front lip of the cook box is uneven it is probably bowed out. The gap will widen from the side of the grill to the middle.
If you look @ img_4095 the grates are pushed all the way against the front edge of the cook box. The spacing of the grates to the back edge of the cook box looks even.
 
If you look @ img_4095 the grates are pushed all the way against the front edge of the cook box. The spacing of the grates to the back edge of the cook box looks even.
In that picture, yes it looks even. In the last picture with only one grate installed it does look bowed out though. Optical illusion perhaps. You may also benefit from removing the built up grease from the ledges where the grates sit, all that gunk could be making it harder to tell. If you do decide that it's bowed out though, it can be fixed and I'll be happy to tell you how to do it.
 
In that picture, yes it looks even. In the last picture with only one grate installed it does look bowed out though. Optical illusion perhaps. You may also benefit from removing the built up grease from the ledges where the grates sit, all that gunk could be making it harder to tell. If you do decide that it's bowed out though, it can be fixed and I'll be happy to tell you how to do it.
Just had a closer look at the grates.
With the grates pushed all the way towards the front edge of the cook box, the spacing at the back edge (center) appears wider than the left and right sides.
Is this issue known as bowing and how would you fix it?
 
Just had a closer look at the grates.
With the grates pushed all the way towards the front edge of the cook box, the spacing at the back edge (center) appears wider than the left and right sides.
Is this issue known as bowing and how would you fix it?
If the box was warped it would be the center giving the issue
 
Just had a closer look at the grates.
With the grates pushed all the way towards the front edge of the cook box, the spacing at the back edge (center) appears wider than the left and right sides.
Is this issue known as bowing and how would you fix it?
It sounds like you do have at least some bowing, even if the grates aren't literally falling in to the cook box yet. The way I have fixed it before is with a couple of 1x4 boards placed under the lip on the front and back of the cookbox that run the length of the bowing, so not all the way to the edges of the cook box. You don't want to apply pressure there. Use one or two pipe clamps to secure the boards in the right spots and start cranking them down to bend the cook box back into shape. I have ended up bending it beyond even because it will want to spring back to it's original bowed out state once you release the clamps. I have only done this on a cook box that was no longer useable at that point and had nothing to lose if it didn't work or shattered the cook box. This was two years ago and I'm still using the grill every day so I know the process works.
 
It sounds like you do have at least some bowing, even if the grates aren't literally falling in to the cook box yet. The way I have fixed it before is with a couple of 1x4 boards placed under the lip on the front and back of the cookbox that run the length of the bowing, so not all the way to the edges of the cook box. You don't want to apply pressure there. Use one or two pipe clamps to secure the boards in the right spots and start cranking them down to bend the cook box back into shape. I have ended up bending it beyond even because it will want to spring back to it's original bowed out state once you release the clamps. I have only done this on a cook box that was no longer useable at that point and had nothing to lose if it didn't work or shattered the cook box. This was two years ago and I'm still using the grill every day so I know the process works.
Sounds like I have a new plan of action.
Thank you
 

 

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