KettlePizza Modification #2

The KettlePizza has been a big hit.  The good news - with a combination of  Kingsford charcoal and oak I have been able to get the oven temp in the high 700's and the stone at  +-600 (degrees Fahrenheit).  The pies are baked perfectly and everyone enjoys making their own wood fired pizza .  The bad news - at these temperatures the Weber hinged grate will begin to bend due to the weight of the stone and the heat of the fire.  The hinged grate is not as strong as the non-hinged  and will begin to bend at the point where the hinge attaches to the solid portion of the grate.  In order to accommodate a large heavy stone, hot fire and eliminate the bending of the grate I made the following inexpensive ($3) modification.

You will need the 2 each of the following:

• 1/4"   x 1 1/4" stainless steel hex bolts
• 1/4" lock washers
• 1/4" wing nuts 
• 1/4" standard nuts 

Step one:
Drill two 1/4" holes in the pizza oven ring 11 1/2" from the back hex lower bolt (see photo below for location).  This is the lower bolt opposite the ring opening.  Important, the holes should be at the same height as the back lower bolt from the bottom rim of the ring.   Mount the hex bolts with a standard nuts screwed to the top of the threads to the outside of the kettle oven ring and attach with a locking washer and wing nut on the inside.  Align the wing nuts horizontally.  Now place the ring into the kettle body.  The outer portion of the two hex bolts fit on the lip of the kettle.

The photo below shows the position of the two holes with the hex bolts attached and the ring placed on the kettle body.

Outside view of a mounted hex bolt

Step two:

Place the hinged grate into the kettle.  The grate will will rest on the five lower wing nuts.   The photo below shows the hinged grate mounted (upside down) on the wing nuts.  The grated is mounted upside down so you do not have to remove the grate handles and  they do not get in the way when loading additional wood into the  front oven opening.  When not using the KettlePizza the grate can be used in the regular position for grilling and the handles are available for use.

Step 3:

Fire up you KettlePizza and impress your guests.