Flip3 Ring, Triangle Hanger & 21.5-Inch Grid

Just as a double check:  Your measurement and fire ring should be as pictured to use the equipment and set-up scenarios outlined below.

Ok, you’ve visually doubled check and measured twice, so no more waiting.  Let’s get right to the good stuff: equipment and set-ups.

The General Specs of the designs are:

Flip3 Ring: •    Overall height is approximately 4.375 inches. •    The two ring diameters are 20 & 23-inches. •    Six vertical zig-zag rods connect the two rings •    A 14-inch portion of the 20-inch ring is cut away, lowered and reconnected to two rods.  The cut away creates easy access to a lower grid and into the fire ring when the Flip3 Ring is in the up position.   •    The material is 1/4-inch, 304 stainless round bar.
•    Flip down raises the XL grid to the felt line.   The small ring hugs the fire ring’s wall for minimal interference. •    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 rods outer bend acts as a bumper to keep the Flip3 Ring centered on the fire ring or XL grid.
Triangle Hanger •    Equilateral shape. •    Material is 5/16-inch, 304 Stainless Steel round bar •    Corners have 3-inch radius bends and sit 1.5 inches from the inside wall of the fire ring. •    When positioned in the three deep notches atop the fire ring, the drop from the top of the fire ring to the top of the Triangle Hanger is 1.75 inches. •    Distance from corner to opposite straight leg is 14.75-inches. •    Tig Welded and passivated for durability
21.5-Inch Round Grid: •    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 1/4-inch  center support bar •    Crosswires are 3/16-inch round bar on 3/4-inch centers •    The grid is electro-polished 304 stainless steel
21.5- Half Grid  (21-Half Grid): •    Actual size is 10.75” x 21.5” •    Same design as the 21.5-inch Round, just half the size •    Electro-polished, 304 Stainless Steel
Note: Using the Flip3 Ring in the up position puts the 21.5-inch grid in the dome.   It is possible that the dome thermometer may get in the way.   Information on thermometers can be found here.

Before going into the set-up options, here are a couple simple points to remember.  With the Flip3 Ring, it’s either up with the 21.5-inch grid or down with the XL grid.   With the Triangle Hanger, it too is either up or down.  Up puts the work platform up above the fire ring.  Down puts the Triangle Hanger’s work platform down in the fire ring.  

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

Grilling -Raised Grid(s) & Direct

These are the fast and reasonably hot cooks: brats, ABTs, hamburgers, spatchcock or cut-up chicken, veggies and such.   The set-ups are great for grilling when you need the heat but not the worry about burning something.  

In addition to the standard XL grid atop the fire ring, the Flip3 Ring provides four additional direct grilling options:  
1.    Raised XL grid at the felt line;
2.    Raised 21.5-Inch grid in the dome, 4.5 inches above the fire ring;
3.    Two grids – XL grid on the fire ring & option (2) above, 21.5-Inch grid 4.5 inches above the fire ring;
4.    21-Half grid Option.

With options 1-3, if you think you’ll need to change over from a direct cook to an indirect cook, we recommend setting the Triangle Hanger in the fire ring before starting the cook.  It makes for a quick change over during the cook.   

Grilling Option 1: XL Grid at the Felt Line

    

What you need:  Flip3 Ring and XL grid

This is a quick set-up and only requires the Flip3 Ring and “XL” grid.  Just set the Flip3 Ring on the fire ring in the down position and drop on the XL grid.   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, as the grid is elevated to the felt rim.
 

Grilling Option 2: 21.5-Inch Grid in the Dome

    

What you need:  Flip3 Ring and 21.5-inch grid

With the Flip3 Ring sitting on the fire ring in the up position, the 21.5-Inch grid can be positioned above the felt line, The grid height is 4.5 inches above the fire ring, 1.5 inches into to the dome.   If you desire more space between the lump and grid or need access to the lump, we recommend this set-up.   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 our preferred method for grilling on the XL.   Also, the 21.5-inch grid offers the same usable grid area as the 24-inch (XL) grid sitting on the fire ring.  

Grilling Option 3: Two Grids

     

What you need:  Flip3 Ring, XL grid, and 21.5-inch grid

For two grids, it’s a quick and easy set-up.  The set-up includes the XL grid on the fire ring and the 21.5-inch grid on the Flip3 Ring.  Simply, set the XL grid on the fire ring, set the Flip3 Ring in the up position on the grid and set the 21.5-inch grid atop the Flip3 Ring.  We recommend having a place outside the cooker to set the Flip3 Ring/21.5 grid when you need to get at the lower grid.  With hand protection, it’s just a quick lift up and out of the loaded Flip3 Ring/21.5 grid and the bottom XL grid is fully accessible.
 

Grilling Option 4: 21-Half Grid Option

       

What you need:  Flip3 Ring, Triangle Hanger, 21-Half grid and XL Grid (See Triangle Hanger details below for added options)

If you are looking for a staging platform while grilling, you might consider the 21- Half grid on the Flip3 Ring set-up.  We like this set-up in tandem with the XL Lump Reducing Ring and Triangle Hanger for steak cooks: sear/blacken close to the lump and finish to temperature/doneness high in the dome.    Or, for one and one-half grid cooks use the XL grid on the fire ring and 21-Half grid on the Flip3 Ring above.   XL Lump Reducing Ring Link is here.

A 14-inch section of the Flip3 Ring top ring is cut-away and lowered to the felt line, creating easy access to the lower grid or into the fire ring.  As you can see in the pictures above accessing a cast iron grid (BGE’s 18CI pictured), skillet or griddle on the Triangle Hanger is quick and easy.       
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Barbequing  – One or Two Grids & Indirect

The single grid cook is probably the most common low & slow cook on the “XL”.   The Flip3 Ring, Triangle Hanger, XL and 21.5-inch grid make available numerous set-up possibilities.   Below, are a couple of the more common set-ups.   The primary differences between the set-ups are: (1) grid location, (2) distance between pieces and (3) lump access.  

BBQing Option 1:  Flip3 Ring up, 21.5-inch Grid & Triangle Hanger down or up:

     

What you need:  Flip3 Ring, Triangle Hanger, 21.5-inch Grid, 16-inch ceramic stone and 18-inch Drip Pan

Having the Flip3 Ring up and the Triangle Hanger down creates the greatest space (open-air) between the indirect pieces and grid.   The set-up is similar to Grilling Option 2 (21.5-inch Grid in the Dome) only indirect now.   The Triangle Hanger sits down in the fire ring and holds the 16-inch Ceramic Stone and 18-inch Drip Pan.   The Flip3 Ring is up with the 21.5-inch grid on top.   If you plan on a very long cook, then this set up is not your best option as the Triangle Hanger sits in the fire ring.   
 
If a cook requires long hours, then this set-up is best.  It’s simply the Triangle Hanger in the up position above the fire ring.   As you can see from the pictures below, all the pieces are above the fire ring.  So, you can fill the entire fire ring with lump and still have open space under the 16-inch Ceramic Stone and 18-inch Drip Pan.   This is the most aggressive set-up we offer for loading the cooker with lump.

       
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BBQing Option 2: XL Grid with/without the Flip3 Ring &Triangle Hanger Down

      


What you need:  XL Grid, Flip3 Ring, Triangle Hanger, 21.5-inch Grid, 16-inch Ceramic Stone &18-inch Drip Pan

If you want to keep the grid closer to the lump, then consider these two options.  The only difference between these two set-ups is where the XL grid is positioned.  If you prefer the XL grid real close to the Ceramic Stone/Drip Pan, then set the XL grid directly on the fire ring, no need for the Flip3 Ring (pictures above).   If you prefer to raise the XL grid to the felt line, then set the Flip3 Ring in the down position with the XL grid on top.  This is similar to Grilling Option 1 (XL grid at the felt line) only indirect now (pictures below).    With either set-up, the Triangle Hanger is positioned first and sits in the fire ring holding the 16-inch Ceramic Stone and 18-inch Drip Pan. 



     
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BBQing Option 3: Two Grids Indirect

     

What you need:  Flip3 Ring, Triangle Hanger, XL grid, 21.5-inch grid,16-inch Ceramic Stone &18-inch Drip Pan

If you need space for a really big cook, then consider this set-up: XL grid on the fire ring with 21.5-inch grid above.   With this set-up, the Triangle Hanger holds the indirect piece(s) in the fire ring.   The “XL” grid sits on the fire ring.   The Flip3 Ring sits on the XL grid with the 21.5-inch grid.   The spacing between grids is approximately 4.375-inches.   This set-up was used in the 50#, six pork butt cook pictured at the beginning of the XL Flip Ring narrative.
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Half Stone

     

If you need to partition a cook, then BGE’s 21.5 half stone and our Triangle Hanger make a good combo.  You have two options with the stone placement.  The first option is the Triangle Hanger positioned down in the fire ring with the half stone on top, pictured above left.  This set-up provides multiple grid options:
o    XL grid on the fire ring;
o     XL grid at the felt line with the Flip3 Ring in the down position;
o    21.5-Inch grid 4.5-inches above the fire ring with the Flip3 Ring in the up position,
o    (4) double grids or one & one-half grids with the XL grid on the fire ring and the Flip3 Ring up with either the 21.5-inch grid or 21-Half grid.    

The second option is the Triangle Hanger and half Stone inverted, sitting above the fire ring, pictured above right.   This puts the top of the stone directly under the 21.5-Inch grid.  This set-up creates the greatest space between the half stone and lump.
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Three Grids

    

So, we played around a little and came up this wacky set-up for three grids.  It’s simply:
•    Triangle Hanger, 16-inch Ceramic Stone and 18-inch Drip Pan set-up indirect in the fire ring;
•    Flip3 Ring in the down position with a 21.5-inch grid sitting on the six zig-zag rods;
•     XL grid atop the Flip3 Ring; and
•    Large Woo Extender with an inverted 21.5-Iich grid on the XL grid.   

There is approximately 2.5 inches of space between the lower 21.5-inch grid and middle XL grid and approximately 3.5-inches of space between the lower XL grid and the upper 21.5-Inch grid.   The three grid set-up generates approximately 1,175 cubic inches of grid space.   It’s a busy cook, but if you have a bunch of ribs to do, this may be your answer.  
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Triangle Hanger

  

The Triangle Hanger is a staging platform for indirect cooks or setting cookware directly over the Lump Reducing Ring.   The wide turns in the triangle shape provide multiple contact points with whatever is set on top but with minimal interference at the center of the fire ring.  It can hang from either set of notches atop the fire ring:  the 3 deep notches or 3 shallow dimples.  Plus, it can be inverted to provide a staging platform above the fire ring.
    

      

A 13-inch diameter round object is about the smallest object that will fit the Triangle Hanger.   Pictured above left is our 13-inch Ceramic Stone.  Above right is our 16-inch Ceramic Stone.   The Triangle Hanger can hold objects as large as 19-inches in diameter.  BGE’s XL stone does not fit with the Triangle Hanger positioned down in the fire ring, as the stone is 21-inches in diameter.        

We believe having 360 degrees of open air (space) around the indirect pieces and the ability to size/shape the indirect pieces to match the cook are keys to achieving and maintaining uniform temperatures across the cook zone.   Our most common indirect set-up is a 16-inch Ceramic Stone & 18-inch Drip Pan on the Triangle Hanger in the up position, as pictured below.   It provides ample coverage for most low and slow cooks, creates the greatest open air around the indirect pieces, as they are above the fire ring, and sets the grid in the dome for more consistent temperatures.   
    

One thing we like about the 16-inch Ceramic Stone and 18-inch Drip Pan combo is the conical shape the pair provide, matching the cooker’s base shape.  The two inch difference is size creates a one inch overhang with the pan.  This overhang and the pan’s tapered shape help produce this matching conical affect.   See picture above right.  
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The Triangle Hanger is a handy accessory for the XL Lump Reducing Ring.  You can position a ceramic stone, cast iron grid, skillet, griddle or wok a couple inches above the lump.  More details on the XL Lump Reducing Ring can be found here.

 




This ends the Flip3 Ring narrative.