Flip2 Ring, Hanger & Grid"XL"

If your XL fire ring has the six dimples and 2-inch spacing between the fire ring and felt rim, then the Flip2 Ring and Hanger set-ups outlined below will work for you. 

The “nuts and bolts” of the designs are:

Flip2 Ring: Overall height is approximately 4.375 inches. The two ring diameters are 20 & 23-inches. Six zigzag style studs connect the two rings. The material is 1/4-inch, 304 stainless round bar.
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
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 Flip2 Ring centered on the fire ring or XL grid.
Hanger: The material is 5/16-inch, 304 stainless round bar. The long parallel legs are 11 inches apart.   The short crossbars are 7.75 inches apart. The diagonal measurement is approximately 20-inches.   So, round objects 12 to 19.5-inches in diameters will sit within the Hanger.   Square and rectangular size objects will vary.
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. One center support bar and two handles. The grid is steel and nickel plated.
Note: Using the Flip2 Ring in the up position puts the 21.5-inch grid high in the dome.   It is possible that the thermometer may get in the way.   Information on thermometers can be found here.

 Now that you are familiar with the designs, let’s look at set-up options.

Grilling ‐ Raised Grid(s) & Direct

For grilling, the Flip2 Ring offers two single grid and one double grid set-up options.   The single grid options are: (1) Flip2 Ring down with the XL's grid at the felt line and (2) Flip2 Ring up with the 21.5 inch grid in the dome.   The basic differences between the two set-ups are grid height and lump access.   For two grid grilling, the set-up is the "XL" grid on the fire ring and 21.5-inch grid on the Flip2 Ring.   

If you think you’ll need to change over to an indirect cook, we recommend setting the Hanger (down) before starting the cook.   It makes for a quick set-up change, direct to indirect, while cooking.

Flip2 Ring Down with XL Grid at the Felt Line:

This is a quick set-up and only requires the Flip2 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 (open-air) between the grid and the lump.   Plus, handling food, using tongs and such is easier.

1. Load the XL with lump and wood chunks.   Light the lump.
2. Set the Flip2 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.
3. Set the XL grid over the Flip2 Ring’s 23-inch ring.   That’s it!

Flip2 Ring Up with 21.5-Inch Grid in the Dome:

If you desire more space between the lump and grid, we recommend using the Flip2 Ring and 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.   You can cook hotter with more control.   Plus, there is ample space under the grid to access the lump or add wood chunks during the cook.   This is a preferred method for cooking direct.

What you need:  Flip2 Ring and 21.5-inch Grid

What to do:

1. Load the “XL” with lump and wood chunks.   Light the lump.
2. Place the Flip2 Ring (up) on the fire ring.
3. Set the 21.5-inch grid on the Flip2 Ring’s upper ring.   Load the cook and begin

Two Grids Direct:

For two grids, it’s a quick and simple set-up.  We recommend having a place outside the cooker to set the loaded Flip2 Ring when you need to get at the lower grid.  With hand protection, it’s just a quick lift up and out of the loaded Flip2 Ring and the bottom grid is fully accessible.

What you need:  Flip2 Ring, “XL” Grid, 21.5-inch Grid

What to do:

1. Load the “XL” with lump and wood chunks.  Light the lump.
2. Place the “XL” grid on the fire ring and load the grid.
3. Set the Flip2 Ring (Up) on the “XL” grid. Add the 21.5-inch grid atop the Flip2 Ring.   
4. Load the 21.5-inch Grid and begin the cook.
5. To access the “XL” Grid, lift the Flip out and set on a level, heat resistant, work area.  Remember, the Flip2 Ring is hot so hand protection is required when handling.

Hanger

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, a rectangular piece that holds indirect piece(s) - ceramic stone, pan 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.   The Hanger is fabricated from thicker material, 5/16-inch stainless round bar, for added strength.   

The Hanger will hold any round object from 12 to 19.5-inches in diameter.   We recommend using a ceramic stone as the indirect piece.   However, we do not recommend the specialty baking, off brand or discount store stones.   Most break easily due to the quick temperature fluctuations in the cooker.   We can not recommend BGE’s, full or half stones as they do not fit the Hanger.   We offer a 16-inch Ceramic stone as an accessory.  

16-inch stone

In the Drip Pan Section of the shopping cart we carry a wide variety of round pans.   We recommend the 18-inch round pan for the “XL”.   The 13 or 16 inch pans doe fit.   We recommend them for specialty or small volume cooks, matching the pan size to the cook size. 

Pictured below are two ways to set the Hanger.   Pictured on the left is the Hanger in the (down) position.   Here the Hanger drops approximately 2-inches into the 4-inch deep fire ring.   In the (up) position, pictured on the right, the Hanger sits approximately 2-1/4 inches above the fire ring.   With most set-ups, it is best for the Hanger to sit in the dimples on the fire ring.   Depending on the length of the cook and type of lump, we recommend monitoring the lump to maintain fuel and an even burn when using the Hanger in the (down) position.

WARNING:  We recommend only using the Hanger with the Lump Reducing Ring when searing/blackening or cooking in the fire ring.   Without the Lump Reducing Ring, temperature control can be difficult.      

Barbequing  (Low & Slow) ‐ One Grid & Indirect

 The single grid cook is probably the most common low & slow cook on the “XL”.   We’ve played with the pieces and have come up with four alternative set-ups (no doubt, more are possible).   The primary differences between the set-ups are: (1) grid location, (2) the distance between pieces and (2) access to the lump. 

The four basic set-ups are:
a)    21.5-inch Grid Indirect & Hanger Down;
b)    Staggered Stone and Drip Pan Combo Indirect;
c)    21.5-inch Grid Indirect with Hanger Up;
d)    “XL” Grid Indirect with Hanger Down.

a)  21.5-inch Grid Indirect & Hanger Down: 

This set-up creates the greatest open-air between the indirect pieces and grid.   It’s similar to the 21.5-Inch Grid Direct in the Dome set up only indirect now.   The Hanger sits down in the fire ring and holds the stone and drip pan.   The Flip2 Ring is up with the 21.5-inch grid on top.

What you need:  Flip2 Ring, Hanger, 21.5-inch Grid, ceramic stone and drip pan

What to do:

1. Load the lump, wood chunks and light.   You can fill up to one-third of the fire ring with lump.
2. Set the Hanger (down) on the fire ring.   Make sure the Hanger sits in the dimples.
3. Set the Flip2 Ring (up) on the fire ring.
4. Set the 21.5-inch grid on the Flip2 Ring, along with the stone to warm up.
5. 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.   
6. Load the grid and begin the cook.

b)  Staggered Stone and Drip Pan Combo Indirect

Originally, this set-up used the “XL” grid to hold the stone, but then, we had one of those “wonder what would happen” ideas.   So, we swapped the “XL” grid for two, 1/4-inch round, Stainless Support Rods.   And wouldn’t you know, after using it a number of times, it is now our favorite indirect set-up for single grid cooks.  

This set-up creates open-air between the grid, drip pan and indirect piece.   It also, depending on the size of your indirect pieces, provides open access to the firebox so you can add lump, drop-in smoking wood or stir the fire.   It’s a great set-up for one grid, low and slow cooks in the “XL”.

With this set-up, everything is above the fire ring.   The Stainless Support Rods holds the stone.   The Hanger (up) holds the drip pan.   The Flip2 Ring (up) holds the 21.5-inch grid.   In the pictures below are the 18-inch drip pan and 16-inch Ceramic Stone.   We like this stone/pan combo.

What you need:  Flip2 Ring, Hanger, 21.5-inch Grid, Stainless Support Rods, stone and drip pan

What to do:
1.    Load the lump, wood chunks and light.  You can fill up to three-fourth of the fire ring with lump.
2.    Set the Stainless Support Rods in the dimples on the fire ring.  The rods run parallel to each other. 
3.    Place the stone on the Rods.
4.    Set the Hanger (up) in the same dimples as the Rods.   The Hanger sits above the fire ring. 
5.    Set the Flip2 Ring (up) on the fire ring.
6.    Place the drip pan on the Hanger.
7.    Add the 21.5-inch grid on the Flip2 Ring.
8.    Load the cook and begin.

c.) 21.5-inch Grid Indirect with Hanger Up

This set-up provides the greatest open-air between the lump and indirect piece.  Conversely, it provides the least amount of open-air between the indirect piece(s) and 21.5-inch grid.  The pieces are above the fire ring.  The Hanger (up) holds the indirect pieces.  The Flip2 Ring, (up), holds the 21.5-inch grid.   Pictured are the 18-inch drip pan and 16-inch Cermamic stone.

What you need: Flip2 Ring, Hanger, 21.5-inch Grid, stone and drip pan

What to do:
1.    Load the “XL” with lump and wood chunks.  You can fill the firebox.  Light the lump.
2.    Set the Hanger (up) in the dimples atop the fire ring.  It sits above the fire ring.
3.    Set the Flip2 Ring (up) on the fire ring.
4.    Set the stone and pan on the Hanger.
5.    Set the 21.5-inch grid atop the Flip2 Ring.
6.    Load the 21.5-inch grid and begin the cook.

If you worry about running out of lump or do very long cooks, you might consider this set up.  It’s the most aggressive set-up we offer for loading the cooker with lump, as the pieces sit at or above the felt line.

d)  “XL” Grid Indirect with Hanger Down:  

Hopefully, by now you get the idea on how the pieces interact.   So this last option is similar to Direct Grid at the Felt Line, only now it’s indirect.   The set-up utilizes the “XL” grid at the felt line.   The Hanger (down) holds the indirect pieces.   The Flip2 Ring, (down), holds the “XL” grid. 

What you need:  Flip2 Ring, Hanger, stone and drip pan

What to do:

1. Set the Flip2 Ring (down) on the fire ring, studs in the fire ring dimples.
2. Set the Hanger (down) above the Flip2 Ring. Hanger sits on top of the fire ring (pictured below right.)
3. The stone and pan sit on the Hanger with the XL grid on top of the Flip2 Ring.

Barbequing ‐ Two Grids & Indirect

Two Grids Indirect: 

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 Flip2 Ring (up).   This set-up was used in the 50#, six pork butt cook pictured at the beginning of the narrative.

What you need:  Flip2 Ring, Hanger, “XL” Grid, 21.5-inch Grid, stone and drip pan

What to do:

1. Load the lump, wood chunks and light.   You can fill up to one-third of the fire ring with lump.
2. Set the Hanger (down) on the fire ring.   The Hanger sits in the dimples and hangs into the fire ring.
3. Place the “XL” grid on the fire ring and set the stone on top of the grid to warm up.
4. When you’re ready to begin the cook, wearing hand protection, lift the grid and place the stone on the Hanger.   Add the drip pan on the stone and replace the “XL” grid on the fire ring.  
5. Load the “XL” grid with the cook.
6. Place the Flip2 Ring (up) and 21.5-inch grid on the “XL” grid.  
7. Load the 21.5-inch grid and begin the cook.

Ceramic Stone Info

Ceramic Stone Info: Earlier we mentioned the larger ceramic stones (kiln shelves).   We offer a 16-inch Ceramic Stone in our shopping section.  We have yet to find a Ceramic Stone between 16 & 19 inches.    

You can find more on using stones as indirect pieces here.

Only Limited by Your Imagination

The “XL” is a big cooker and it’s easy to dream about really big or imaginative cooks.   Here is one idea to get you thinking: 3 grids, indirect for cooking a bunch of ribs, wings or making jerky.   As pictured, it’s over 1,000 square inches of grid space.   It might be better to hang the middle grid from above and not from below with a second Hanger.   This way all you need to do is lift the Flip2 Ring out of the cooker and set it aside to gain access to the “XL” grid.   Looks like a new project is in our future!

So, give it a shot and see what cool set-ups you can come up with.  Have fun experimenting!

This ends the Flip2 Ring & Hanger narrative.