Ironwood Front Shelf DO you really need it?

[DannyBBQ]

Recently purchased a Ironwood 650 and curious to see if anyone else purchased the front shelf.
Did some cooks already and I use the side shelf or place a tray on top of the hopper.
Prob would be great when doing a brisket or Pulled pork something a little heavier. What are your thoughts?

 

[MikeyR]

Recently purchased a Ironwood 650 and curious to see if anyone else purchased the front shelf.
Did some cooks already and I use the side shelf or place a tray on top of the hopper.
Prob would be great when doing a brisket or Pulled pork something a little heavier. What are your thoughts?

I really like having it, Super Functional and folds away nicely to fit under the cover. Nice to have a palce to set down a heavier item like a brisket, or pork like you mention.

 

[dsmero]

Hey Danny,

I bought it day 1 with the grill about 3 weeks ago. I just use it for sitting a tray before or after grilling. The lid handle will hit almost anything bigger than steaks chicken or burgers when opening/closing. Seems to be able to hold a decent amount of weight. I have noticed the screws on the brackets loosen a few times and causes the shelf to not be level - probably from the heat expanding so I'll probably use some high temp loctite. I'll get some pics this evening when I vacuum it out.

 

[dsmero]

Here's some pics of the 650 with the shelf. As Mikey said, it fits well under the cover. The black screws were the ones that kept loosening causing the shelf to unlevel. but I just put some red loctite on them.

 

[GrillMeister]

Personally, I think the shelf should come with the grill considering the price tag. It's an absolute must have thought. It makes getting things on and off the grill so much easier, especially if you use the little grill mate mats. I bought one for my Ironwood 885 as well as my Century 22 and love em!

 

[bfletcher]

I wouldn't be caught without my shelf, which I bought a couple weeks after using the smoker.

 

[PriceMP5]

It’s worth it, taking food on and off the grill is much easier. Also you slop a lot less sauces and juices all over the place loading food from a front shelf. Went a few months without the shelf before caving and spending more money on an already expensive grill

 

[GGRWATT]

Yes, I find it really useful, but did not like the steel painted... very sensitive, so I made somme modification with glued laminated oak.

 

[Russells]

Yes, I find it really useful, but did not like the steel painted... very sensitive, so I made somme modification with glued laminated oak.

Love the oak, looks fantastic! Great work!

 

[Sodaking27]

I went years without a front shelf. Finally added one to my BBQ70. After using it a couple times I wondered why I waited so long. I immediately purchased 2 more for my other Traeger’s. Money well spent.

 

[dsmero]

Yes, I find it really useful, but did not like the steel painted... very sensitive, so I made somme modification with glued laminated oak.

That looks awesome! Thanks for the covid project idea!

 

[jp9724]

Absolutely needed. I thought i could go without, nope. Once i gave in and got it, its used every single time the beast is fired up.

 

[dsmero]

Absolutely needed. I thought i could go without, nope. Once i gave in and got it, its used every single time the beast is fired up.

I actually named my 650 "The Beast" in the Traeger app. I still chuckle when I get notifications "The Beast has completed shutdown" or "The Beast is sleeping" ?

 

[jp9724]

I actually named my 650 "The Beast" in the Traeger app. I still chuckle when I get notifications "The Beast has completed shutdown" or "The Beast is sleeping" ?

Thats awesome, my wife named mine the Iron Beast so I get virtually the same notification

 

[RustyJake]

Just to confirm, Ironwood 650 uses the BAC362 shelf?
I also saw a site showing the BAC563 fitting. Not sure what the difference is between them. I do like the idea of a front shelf if its a usable depth. Currently making due with the side shelf, but will probably add the front this summer