I did NOT want to modify my lid lifter because it fits perfectly on my stew pot lids and everything else. So we modified the only piece of cast iron that it doesn't fit. 5 minutes work either way. Check out OUR AMazon Store for great prices on Cast Iron and Outdoor Cooking Gear. amazon.com/shop/backwoodsgourmetchannel
As I was watching you cook with this grill I was thinking how awesome it would be if Lodge made a cover for it to allow food to be smoked and cooked slower.
I've fashioned a few things for my Sportsman grill, including a cowling to block the wind and an insert to allow me to grill with smaller amounts of charcoal. Given its small size, it would be hard to turn it into a smoker, but it should be possible to make a lid to allow one to roast small items on it. However, it's really designed for grilling with high heat (makes great steaks and burgers) or for use as a camp stove if you put a cast iron griddle on top if the grill grate.
I just use a three pronged hand cultivator that I bought for a couple of bucks at Lowe's. Works great and can also be used to weed your vegetable garden.
That's a great idea. I normally use a set of channel-lock pliers when I need to lift a hot grate, but you gotta hold the pliers tightly when doing so. That grate is heavy for one hand!...
Sportsman is great. I even thought it might have been a pioneer wagon cook top design from the old days. Probably not. I've had mine 20 + years. I was lucky enough to find a Cook top that fit the sportsman perfect on ebay. I also use BSR 3060 fish fryer for one pot/ rice pilaf and grilling breakfast. Alcohol stoves works great in it indoors in the winter. I use 2. All year grill/cook top. Classic cast iron style. Also use the Lodge 12 inch Stirfry skillet on the sportsman with the cooktop.
I would have filed the hook piece flat enough to slide though the grates. It still retains some torsional strength and won't bend too too much. Still,.... pretty clever. Keep up the videos.
I use the same lid lifter for all of my cast iron. Making it smaller for the SG would cause issues with some of my pot lids. So I modifies the only cast iron that it doesn't fit. 5 minutes either way.
Good modify, and I appreciate it because I haven't purchased one yet. I been wanting to. JUS fyi, you could probably shave that lid lifter down on each side enough, about an eighth an inch, maybe more, just on the tip about a quarter inch down and grind it into an upside down v shape. Just so it fits in between the other grates, or just make a slender point on it. You decide, I dunno if it would help or not because I don't have one yet.😕 Jus, food for thought.
wow, good job no rocket science was involved to solve such an easy problem...I lift the cooking grate (if I really need to when it's hot) off with a garden hand fork - it balances perfectly. As for the fire grate, I hook it out with my cheapo BBQ wire brush/ scraper - I don't need to do it while the things hot!
Smart mods. The Cajun classic round cast iron grill comes with a lifter. That lifter works on the Lodge too. I don’t know why a lifter isn’t included with the Lodge brand. I’ll put the link in the next comment.
As others have said, you modified the wrong item. They made the distance in the grates that size for a reason. Get a lifter that works for this grill. I made two, and latch onto both ends of the grill plate. Also, there's really no reason to need to move the grates while they're hot.
I have a pair of those red Lodge cooking gloves that I use to take the grills out when they're hot. I just do it as quickly as possible and snatch the gloves off my hands immediately after the grills are on the ground. I think this method is probably better though.
Nice video... ya, I could see modifying either the grates or the lifter... good idea either way... and someone really should tell Lodge about this... just build it into the product.
Nice work, but if it was me, I would have welded another arm on that was thin enough to fit through the grills. Keep up the videos, I like what you do.
I was really hoping that your modification had something to do with making it easier to carry! The skinny bail that comes with it 1) hurts my arthritic hands and 2) doesn't keep it level while carrying, so inevitably, the draft (or other) door falls off.
Remove the draft door & coal door before moving. You can purchase a handle spring like is on a welders chipping hammer and slide on the stainless steel wire handle. Just straighten out one side, slide it on, then bend it back. I'm building a hood for mine with a vent and thermometer. Heavy duty handle, too.
Lodge sells Cook and Carry handles that fit many of their pans with the second "handle" in addition to the Sportsman's grill and the Cook It All. These are the same handles that came with the Cook It All ... yeah, that one. Hope you saved the handles! Item # A-HAC
I used a pair of sheet metal seamer vice grips. Thats way too much work. Only mod it really needs is to cut grease flow channels in the feet that fill up with grease.
I did NOT want to modify my lid lifter because it fits perfectly on my stew pot lids and everything else. So we modified the only piece of cast iron that it doesn't fit. 5 minutes work either way. Check out OUR AMazon Store for great prices on Cast Iron and Outdoor Cooking Gear. amazon.com/shop/backwoodsgourmetchannel
I was wondering. Was thinking hmm....why doesn't he just make the lifter thinner?...now I know :)
How would making the lid lifter thinner bother how it works with the pots? I don't see it. But I don't have a dutch oven yet.
Lid lifter is cheap, modify it not the grill!
I've been cooking on a sportsman for years. A good pair of gloves is all I have ever used and never been burned.
What kind of gloves? I used grilling gloves but even they got hot! I'm new at this, so I could really use your advice. Thanks.
Cannie R. Good pair of welding gloves
This brings a lot of meriesback to me cause I watch this show every weekend with my dad plus he was on the show.
i use a small pry bar and slip it between the bars works great. Also a carpenters flat bar works good too
How about grinding the hook end of the lifter hook a bit narrower?
I use this lid lifter for my very heavy dutch ovens, so I did not want to weaken it any. This project only takes about 5 minutes.
I would rather grind my lifter a tad bit or weld up a lifter that works before grinding on my grate.
that idea makes more sense
As I was watching you cook with this grill I was thinking how awesome it would be if Lodge made a cover for it to allow food to be smoked and cooked slower.
I just got one and was thinking the same thing...
You're not the only one to think about that...might require sheet metal work. 🤔
Look for a BSR shallow fish fryer to use upside down on the Lodge Sportsman grill as a lid. Works perfect. I cover steaks & chicken.
I've fashioned a few things for my Sportsman grill, including a cowling to block the wind and an insert to allow me to grill with smaller amounts of charcoal. Given its small size, it would be hard to turn it into a smoker, but it should be possible to make a lid to allow one to roast small items on it. However, it's really designed for grilling with high heat (makes great steaks and burgers) or for use as a camp stove if you put a cast iron griddle on top if the grill grate.
I've though hard on that myself funny enough.
I just use a three pronged hand cultivator that I bought for a couple of bucks at Lowe's. Works great and can also be used to weed your vegetable garden.
Nice simple modification! Thanks for sharing. Getting my grinder out now.
That's a great idea. I normally use a set of channel-lock pliers when I need to lift a hot grate, but you gotta hold the pliers tightly when doing so. That grate is heavy for one hand!...
Wouldn't be easier to grind the lifter hook a little flatter on each side so it would go between the grate slats?
Sportsman is great. I even thought it might have been a pioneer wagon cook top design from the old days. Probably not. I've had mine 20 + years. I was lucky enough to find a Cook top that fit the sportsman perfect on ebay. I also use BSR 3060 fish fryer for one pot/ rice pilaf and grilling breakfast. Alcohol stoves works great in it indoors in the winter. I use 2. All year grill/cook top. Classic cast iron style. Also use the Lodge 12 inch Stirfry skillet on the sportsman with the cooktop.
I would have filed the hook piece flat enough to slide though the grates. It still retains some torsional strength and won't bend too too much. Still,.... pretty clever. Keep up the videos.
Curious to know if u thought about grinding the actual lid lifter itself?
I use the same lid lifter for all of my cast iron. Making it smaller for the SG would cause issues with some of my pot lids. So I modifies the only cast iron that it doesn't fit. 5 minutes either way.
I just use a large pair of vice grips and clamp at the center of the grate at the outside edge, works perfect.
Good modify, and I appreciate it because I haven't purchased one yet. I been wanting to. JUS fyi, you could probably shave that lid lifter down on each side enough, about an eighth an inch, maybe more, just on the tip about a quarter inch down and grind it into an upside down v shape. Just so it fits in between the other grates, or just make a slender point on it. You decide, I dunno if it would help or not because I don't have one yet.😕 Jus, food for thought.
I've been using a cheap garden shovel with a wooden handle to lift the charcoal grate for 6+ years. Insert shovel into slot then lift.
wow, good job no rocket science was involved to solve such an easy problem...I lift the cooking grate (if I really need to when it's hot) off with a garden hand fork - it balances perfectly. As for the fire grate, I hook it out with my cheapo BBQ wire brush/ scraper - I don't need to do it while the things hot!
Smart mods. The Cajun classic round cast iron grill comes with a lifter. That lifter works on the Lodge too. I don’t know why a lifter isn’t included with the Lodge brand. I’ll put the link in the next comment.
Here is the link to the other hibachi that comes with a lid lifter. cajuncastiron.com/eshop/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=10447
I started using grill gloves to handle it and haven’t had a problem.
Awesome informative video ...glad you don't just talk without working at same time!!! Still waiting on my quiz!! Lol
As others have said, you modified the wrong item. They made the distance in the grates that size for a reason. Get a lifter that works for this grill. I made two, and latch onto both ends of the grill plate. Also, there's really no reason to need to move the grates while they're hot.
I have a pair of those red Lodge cooking gloves that I use to take the grills out when they're hot. I just do it as quickly as possible and snatch the gloves off my hands immediately after the grills are on the ground. I think this method is probably better though.
Nice video... ya, I could see modifying either the grates or the lifter... good idea either way... and someone really should tell Lodge about this... just build it into the product.
I probably would have just welded up a new lifter but w.e works best for you
This cost $0 and about 5 minutes. Hard to beat that.
Backwoods Gourmet Channel i got so much scrap metal laying around but i hear ya buddy keep up the great videos
Why Didn't You Just Grind Off A Little Of Each Side Of The Lifting Tool ?
Nice work, but if it was me, I would have welded another arm on that was thin enough to fit through the grills. Keep up the videos, I like what you do.
I use a inspectors hook while grilling. it is a thinner hook
Good idea! Just a little backwoods ingenuity! LOL
Great idea. I feel your frustration with that man!
Nice tip! Thanks for sharing.
Hey! You still raisin' them rabbits?
I was really hoping that your modification had something to do with making it easier to carry! The skinny bail that comes with it 1) hurts my arthritic hands and 2) doesn't keep it level while carrying, so inevitably, the draft (or other) door falls off.
I hear you on the carry thing, but I don't know how to solve that problem. Thanks for watching.
Remove the draft door & coal door before moving. You can purchase a handle spring like is on a welders chipping hammer and slide on the stainless steel wire handle. Just straighten out one side, slide it on, then bend it back. I'm building a hood for mine with a vent and thermometer. Heavy duty handle, too.
Lodge sells Cook and Carry handles that fit many of their pans with the second "handle" in addition to the Sportsman's grill and the Cook It All. These are the same handles that came with the Cook It All ... yeah, that one. Hope you saved the handles! Item # A-HAC
Nice mod Scott. Tough to work cast iron, the grinder is a nice touch
Your comment to upside downdog ended up in my held for review box. I did approve it, but ya;ll don's start no shit. This is a video about a grill.
Just repeating your rules sir. Said no more than that. ;-)
I just delete them if they get nasty or disrespectful.
Sounded a bit like both. Still a really good grill mod vid. :)
I can make you a moderator if you want the job. We got lots of trolls these days. My blocked list get's a new one every few weeks now.
Why would you even need to remove the hot grates in the fist place?
Do you know the best place to order replacement parts for the sportsman grill? I need the fire door #3058. Thanks for any help!
Try Amazon.
Backwoods Gourmet Channel I looked on Amazon, they didn’t have it. Thanks.
Tray contacting Lodge www.lodgemfg.com
Nicely done.
I used a pair of sheet metal seamer vice grips. Thats way too much work. Only mod it really needs is to cut grease flow channels in the feet that fill up with grease.
Guess what? If you modify your lid lifter it will still function fine on your other pots and lids.
Where can i get the lid-lifter?
Here is the one I use. amzn.to/2Hla4Px
you should have modified the tool not modified the grill just saying thanks for sharing
I would not use a grinder on anything I eat off of. That's my opinion.
I would modify the tool and not the grill.
Brilliant! :)
eh.....mod the lid lifter first?
Maybe grind the lifter …? 🤷🏻♂️
Do not, do not modify your grates on that bad boy.... modify your lid lifter!
I use my gloves. Safer for me.
I think I would of gotten a new lifter and ground it down just for lifting the great. I would not want to change the grill. But that's just me...
I think you ruined your grill
How did up a few of the grill opening "ruined"it? This rill is still in perfect operation to this day over 2 years later.
Folks, Just buy a set of welding gloves. Or modify a second lid lifter for your grill.
But jeeze, dont take a grinder to it. Completely unnecessary.
Butcher?
🏗♨️ use the hooks~~ wire hot: velcrow cold & clean!