Charcoal bed adjusting height, what do you use

[Photoman 0]

I saw the adjustable height charcoal basket for the Akorn.  I use a Weber coal grate to hold my stainless diffuser/drip/water pan.  Couldn’t I just build the charcoal bed on that grate to get it nice and close to food when needed? Do you vary the the bed height and if so when and how do you do it?

[lnarngr 261]

Yes, you can build the fire on that grate for searing, etc. 

[T Yelta 102]

The fire in that high position is great for burn-offs to clean the cast iron grate too.

[Daz 189]

i built a half moon searing tray that sits on the tabs that hold the deflector. works like a champ. it works well for reverse sear thicker steaks. I use the other half to slow heat the steak and when it reaches around 90 degrees internally i flip it over.

 

[mr-future 25]

Please consider input from someone who has been doing this for a whole month. I use natural briquettes on the weber grate for smash burgers, with a griddle sitting on the top grate, and it works just like a weber grill. For reverse searing steaks, I use no more than 2 inches of lump in the firebox. The academy griddle is sitting on top of the weber for heat deflection, with a pan on top of that to catch drippings. When it is time to reverse sear, I pull the steaks, grill, and pan, and leave the vents open until the full firebox catches. Then, I sear the steaks on the cast iron. Note the importance of using a small amount of lump. If you use too much lump, you may smell melting paint, and that is a best case scenario.

[Tom_V 12]

Height adjustable tray is not needed. Get rid of the briquettes and use lump charcoal. Lump burns hotter and VERY LITTLE ASH. I use my Akorn 3 times a week all year round. Winters are cold in Rochester NY doesn't matter! Just set up 2 zone cooking and sear steaks and put to the side to finish off. Adjust dampers to control heat and flame. I purchased the aftermarket (fake) divide and conquer system (Kamado Joe) with a half moon deflector stone. Works awesome for indirect cooking. The metal fire bowl on the Akorn doesn't have a wide edge for rack to sit on so I added small clamps as a shelf for rack system. I also enjoy using cast iron grates so I purchased half moon grate.