Great video! Best thing about lava rocks is that when the juices from the meat drip on to it, it creates smoke which mimics the benefits of charcoal to an extent
Best modification for a propane grill. I bought a Master Forge 1010037/ Lowe's 97709 without enough research. It has design flaws, poor heat distribution and is very prone to flare-ups. Was ready to toss it or sell it. Then decided to try one trick before I let it go and buy a Weber. Rig it with some rocks and see if it would work better. I'm glad the body was able to withstand the extra heat. The rocks turn some of the heat into radiant heat (infrared grill). Now I get much better results, similar to charcoal or a commercial char-broiler. Be careful though because the rocks and the grates can get red hot and flimsy grills might not survive that extra heat.
You don't have to mask your burners when cleaning. Spray the whole thing down. Use steel wool and then rinse with a hose inside and outside. They are stainless. Will not hurt them.
This is exactly what I want to do and almost identical idea, except I like that grill grate idea. I was thinking about those trays you can drop in, but your way is cheaper and more flame comes through. My goal is: 1. Stop dripping into bottom starting fires inside. 2. Increase the overall max heat. 3. Bring a little charcoal taste into the mix. Do you find that you get any of those results?
So there are not many flare ups. At least nothing that is out of control. The heat definitely increased and more evenly over the entire grill. With the rock, I didn’t get much of a charcoal taste at all. But if you take some smoking chips and wrap them in foil, you can get a smoky flavor to your meats. Hope this helps and thanks for the comment!
Looks nice mate. When the lava rocks go black can the be washed and dried again b4 grilling I’ve never tried yet was gonna wash them in hot water then dry them out in the sun as it’s hot today
I left mine in for a full year. Unless they are ridiculously covered in grease, probably no need to wash them. I just replaced them in this spring. They’re pretty inexpensive so instead of wasting my time washing, I just replaced. Thanks for the comment.
Just remember to rinse them off pretty good in the bag before initially installing them. Just poke a few holes in the plastic bag and run a hose over them for about a minute or two.
A lot of the grease does burn off but I change my rocks out every year. They’re only about $5 a bag and I can get some cleaning done inside while in the process. Thanks for the comment!
Charlie Solorzano I used the lava rocks without cleaning them for a full year. I actually just bought more to change them out. They’re only about $5 a bag at our local hardware store. Thanks for watching and stay safe!
You should rename your video, (how to clean bbq grill). You didn't explain or show, where you got the rock bed thingy from. Is it chicken wire? What is it where to get it and so on.
best of best It’s called expanded metal and it can be purchased at your local hardware center. Menards, Home Depot, Lowe’s etc.... Thanks for the feedback. I’m new to the RUclips thing and any feedback is appreciated so thanks again.
Hi William, I am thinking to buy a bbq. I wonder if I should buy a cheaply one and modified as you have done with lava stone? What do you reckon? Are you happy with your bbq? Is it good for steak or roast? Or does it make too much fire? Thanks
Hello Hamid. Thank you for your question. I converted my grill to lava rock because I use natural gas and the grill was not getting hot enough for me to cook things. If you get a propane grill, you should have no problems with getting it to the proper temperatures to handle steak or roast. I hope this helps you out and good luck on your new grill shopping.
Not touching. There is a ledge at the bottom that the burner covers were on. I placed the sheet of expanded material on that ledge. You don’t want to rest anything directly on the tubes.
Early gas grills all used Lava rocks. Everyone stopped using them because they suck ! When the rocks are clean and new they work great, but after time they get saturated with dripping and the flair ups began, much worse then any modern grill . That the whole reason everyone stopped using them.
I have been cooking on a Lava Rock Grill for over 40 years & that is a myth, on the other hand I bought a new 5 burner grill last year as I was have problems sourcing parts for my old Shepard Grill, & I hated the new grill from the cast iron cooking grates to the bonfire you get the next time you cook if you don't clean it out after every use, as the fat goes into the bottom & coats it, then has a massive fire half way through cooking. I never get that with lava rock as it catches the fat & burns it up, the trick is leaving the grill on low for about 10 minutes after your done cooking to burn it up, I normally deep clean the grill at the beginning of the season & I cook trays of 8-10 burgers every weekend, May thru Oct, so aside from cleaning the cooking grates & warming rack, it gets no other cleaning until the next spring & I change the Lava Rock about every 5 years, I do have to replace the burner every 3rd year & the lava rock grate as they burn through after 2 years.
Not sure about this. There is a reason all good grill makers cover the burner orifices...its because they are very sensitive towards any debri. Methinks this mod would allow grease, food droppings, etc right on those orifices. I would have put the covers back on, then put the grate on top of them.
Chris G. I appreciate the feedback and you’re probably right. I clean my burners every other use and could probably have said that in the video. Thanks for the input!
Zack Dawley up, no. Weber specifically says the flavor bars serve 2 purposes, one is to protect the offices. If any holes get clogged, your air to fuel ratio is compromised.
@William Jordan, I don't believe for a second that you clean your burners after every other use. @0:25 you specifically state that there's "years worth of food" on your burner covers. I bet you're regretting having done this to your grill.
The grill tents are to stop fats dripping into the burner holes and lava rock alone wont do this .. keep the protective cover’s on it works the same without blocking any burner holes !
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If your grill is below 100°c (where bacteria can survive) it's not a grill. Grease can become an issue but you can simply change stones once in a while.
If you implement heat mat on top of grill. You will not have any issues with flair ups, and less grease contacting lava rocks! Personally I never cared for the rocks!
I hate my gas grill that has no lava rock. I wish they made gas grills with lava rock again. The grill I have that doesn't use lava rocks heats so unevenly I end up burning everything I grill. That never happened with the lava rock. I can't use this new grill on my concrete patio because grease drips on my patio making a royal mess! I never had this problem with my old grill that used lava rock. Too bad manufacturers don't give you a choice of purchasing a grill with or without lava rock. BRING BACK GAS GRILLS THAT COME WITH LAVA ROCKS!
@@wmajordan I liked the way it burns, seems so much easier than charcoal & you don't waist it like charcoal, we don't grill all that much so lava rocks would last us a LONG TIME.
That is incorrect. With the rock above the flames, you’re creating more heat and it’s more evenly distributed. Rocks under the fire essentially does nothing.
William is correct. Heating the stones from below is the most efficient way to go. The heat rises so you are catching the maximum amount by placing the stones above the flame
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I've been scratching my head about how I want to do this for like 2yrs now.
Your video makes it seem obvious.
Good simple solution, thanks!
Great video!
Best thing about lava rocks is that when the juices from the meat drip on to it, it creates smoke which mimics the benefits of charcoal to an extent
Best modification for a propane grill. I bought a Master Forge 1010037/ Lowe's 97709 without enough research. It has design flaws, poor heat distribution and is very prone to flare-ups. Was ready to toss it or sell it. Then decided to try one trick before I let it go and buy a Weber. Rig it with some rocks and see if it would work better. I'm glad the body was able to withstand the extra heat. The rocks turn some of the heat into radiant heat (infrared grill). Now I get much better results, similar to charcoal or a commercial char-broiler. Be careful though because the rocks and the grates can get red hot and flimsy grills might not survive that extra heat.
Your comment is much appreciated! It’s a great way to improve this specific grill. Hope it all works well for you. 👍🏼
You don't have to mask your burners when cleaning. Spray the whole thing down. Use steel wool and then rinse with a hose inside and outside. They are stainless. Will not hurt them.
How do you clean the lava rock? I assume you replace it yearly since it can't be cleaned?
This is exactly what I want to do and almost identical idea, except I like that grill grate idea. I was thinking about those trays you can drop in, but your way is cheaper and more flame comes through.
My goal is:
1. Stop dripping into bottom starting fires inside.
2. Increase the overall max heat.
3. Bring a little charcoal taste into the mix.
Do you find that you get any of those results?
So there are not many flare ups. At least nothing that is out of control. The heat definitely increased and more evenly over the entire grill. With the rock, I didn’t get much of a charcoal taste at all. But if you take some smoking chips and wrap them in foil, you can get a smoky flavor to your meats. Hope this helps and thanks for the comment!
Looks nice mate. When the lava rocks go black can the be washed and dried again b4 grilling I’ve never tried yet was gonna wash them in hot water then dry them out in the sun as it’s hot today
I left mine in for a full year. Unless they are ridiculously covered in grease, probably no need to wash them. I just replaced them in this spring. They’re pretty inexpensive so instead of wasting my time washing, I just replaced. Thanks for the comment.
Just remember to rinse them off pretty good in the bag before initially installing them. Just poke a few holes in the plastic bag and run a hose over them for about a minute or two.
Question. How often do you have to change it since my best guess is they get covered in grease or does it incinerate the grease
A lot of the grease does burn off but I change my rocks out every year. They’re only about $5 a bag and I can get some cleaning done inside while in the process. Thanks for the comment!
William, have you had any problems with metal fatigue or warping in the middle of the base/expanded metal because of the heat?
I have not. It seems to handle the heat quite well.
Why not leave the burner protectors on?
Do you leave flame on at all times or you turn off once rocks get hot?
Flame stays on the whole time. Rocks will produce an even heat. Thanks for commenting!!
Do the lava rocks get cleaned ?? Or do they get so hot it just burn any dripping off ?? thanks
Charlie Solorzano I used the lava rocks without cleaning them for a full year. I actually just bought more to change them out. They’re only about $5 a bag at our local hardware store. Thanks for watching and stay safe!
You should rename your video, (how to clean bbq grill). You didn't explain or show, where you got the rock bed thingy from. Is it chicken wire? What is it where to get it and so on.
best of best It’s called expanded metal and it can be purchased at your local hardware center. Menards, Home Depot, Lowe’s etc.... Thanks for the feedback. I’m new to the RUclips thing and any feedback is appreciated so thanks again.
He literally said, "...and then I put my piece of expanded metal over the top...".
Hi William, I am thinking to buy a bbq. I wonder if I should buy a cheaply one and modified as you have done with lava stone? What do you reckon? Are you happy with your bbq? Is it good for steak or roast? Or does it make too much fire?
Thanks
Hello Hamid. Thank you for your question. I converted my grill to lava rock because I use natural gas and the grill was not getting hot enough for me to cook things. If you get a propane grill, you should have no problems with getting it to the proper temperatures to handle steak or roast. I hope this helps you out and good luck on your new grill shopping.
@@wmajordan thanks
Hi, does it really takes 15 minutes to get it hot with the lava rocks in?
With my grill, unfortunately, it takes that long. I can’t speak for other grills though. Can’t imagine it would.
My parents used to have gas lava grill and it was super hot in like 5-10 minutes.
Did you rest the plate right on the tubes or were they not touching?
Not touching. There is a ledge at the bottom that the burner covers were on. I placed the sheet of expanded material on that ledge. You don’t want to rest anything directly on the tubes.
Great idea.
Early gas grills all used Lava rocks.
Everyone stopped using them because they suck !
When the rocks are clean and new they work great, but after time they get saturated with dripping and the flair ups began, much worse then any modern grill .
That the whole reason everyone stopped using them.
I have been cooking on a Lava Rock Grill for over 40 years & that is a myth, on the other hand I bought a new 5 burner grill last year as I was have problems sourcing parts for my old Shepard Grill, & I hated the new grill from the cast iron cooking grates to the bonfire you get the next time you cook if you don't clean it out after every use, as the fat goes into the bottom & coats it, then has a massive fire half way through cooking.
I never get that with lava rock as it catches the fat & burns it up, the trick is leaving the grill on low for about 10 minutes after your done cooking to burn it up, I normally deep clean the grill at the beginning of the season & I cook trays of 8-10 burgers every weekend, May thru Oct, so aside from cleaning the cooking grates & warming rack, it gets no other cleaning until the next spring & I change the Lava Rock about every 5 years, I do have to replace the burner every 3rd year & the lava rock grate as they burn through after 2 years.
Can you use charcoal instead of lava rock?
I wouldn’t suggest it.
Not sure about this. There is a reason all good grill makers cover the burner orifices...its because they are very sensitive towards any debri. Methinks this mod would allow grease, food droppings, etc right on those orifices. I would have put the covers back on, then put the grate on top of them.
Chris G. I appreciate the feedback and you’re probably right. I clean my burners every other use and could probably have said that in the video. Thanks for the input!
the covers are to prevent flare-up. covers are not supposed to be used if you're using lava rock.
Zack Dawley up, no. Weber specifically says the flavor bars serve 2 purposes, one is to protect the offices. If any holes get clogged, your air to fuel ratio is compromised.
@@chrisg.5577 And the other? Flavor bars 😂
@William Jordan, I don't believe for a second that you clean your burners after every other use. @0:25 you specifically state that there's "years worth of food" on your burner covers. I bet you're regretting having done this to your grill.
The grill tents are to stop fats dripping into the burner holes and lava rock alone wont do this .. keep the protective cover’s on it works the same without blocking any burner holes !
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WHY NOT PUT THE COVER PLATES BACK ON?
Check out this video on how to remove condensation from your grill thermometer.
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Has anybody tried this on the Weber Smokey Mountian in the water pan without the water? it would seem to work just fine?
I was thinking about doing the exact same thing to my grill, nice video but volume was way too low. try a target volume about -5db
Drunk Grilling with Professor Chaos Thanks for the feedback. I’ll definitely do that! 👍🏻
pc problem mine is plenty loud
is it really food safe?
i heard that the accumulation of the debris will cause a bad bacteria to grow
If your grill is below 100°c (where bacteria can survive) it's not a grill.
Grease can become an issue but you can simply change stones once in a while.
Awesome idea.
If you implement heat mat on top of grill. You will not have any issues with flair ups, and less grease contacting lava rocks! Personally I never cared for the rocks!
I have been doing it for years. The only downside you need to change the burners every 6 months because th excesive heat destroys them
You've incredible thing on this video blog.
I hate my gas grill that has no lava rock. I wish they made gas grills with lava rock again. The grill I have that doesn't use lava rocks heats so unevenly I end up burning everything I grill. That never happened with the lava rock. I can't use this new grill on my concrete patio because grease drips on my patio making a royal mess! I never had this problem with my old grill that used lava rock. Too bad manufacturers don't give you a choice of purchasing a grill with or without lava rock. BRING BACK GAS GRILLS THAT COME WITH LAVA ROCKS!
I agree!! You’re so right.
Did the lava rock help increase heat or did lower the heat and if you do cock a steak does it catch fire like a regular gas grill thank you
It definitely increased the heat. And you can still get the same flare ups as you would on a regular gas grill
@@wmajordan I don't guess I could do lava rocks in a NON-gas grill huh?
@@unitedwestanddividedwefall2073 No. You would have the briquettes to handle the heat.
@@wmajordan I liked the way it burns, seems so much easier than charcoal
& you don't waist it like charcoal, we don't grill all that much so lava rocks would
last us a LONG TIME.
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I clean my grill with degreaser then i hit it with the pressure washer
like it thanks going to do this!!!
Jeffrey Stewart Thank you. Much appreciated!
That was not "Converting to Rock" it was " Cleaning my old BBQ".... WTF?
you could clean that grill sometimes
I know. I try to keep things clean but that stainless is difficult. Thanks for the comment.
Taste the meat not the heat.😂
Omg Ben affleck
Hahahahahaha
Ben fat-fleck 😉
Lava rocks should be under the grill fire. Not on top. You're deflecting so much heat in the wrong direction that way.
That is incorrect. With the rock above the flames, you’re creating more heat and it’s more evenly distributed. Rocks under the fire essentially does nothing.
William is correct. Heating the stones from below is the most efficient way to go. The heat rises so you are catching the maximum amount by placing the stones above the flame
This grill is not made to use lava. The grill back will start to bend and all keys will will be destroyed soon.
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മലയാളം കമന്റ് അല്ലേ നോക്കുന്നുന്നത് 😁
Translate to English please.