I have been mulling over a decision on procuring the PCS Rackworks package #4B for over 6 months. I finally pulled the trigger.
Chad Peterson was great to work with. I think it’s Feb. 1st or 2nd when I made the online purchase. Chad called to finalize details. He got it shipped to me and I received it yesterday. I ordered the grease diverter for inside the lid too but I couldn’t find any high-temp silicone sealant. So, I’ll put that on later.
I cleaned my Bull pretty thoroughly. I started around 3:30pm EST and it was starting to get dark so I waited until this morning to do the installation.
I reviewed the installation video last night. Per the video, I used a ruler to measure 4 1/2” from the front edge of the side ledge. The ruler really needs to “stand” on its edge as you need the mark to be visible when you hold the rack up to mark the two holes to drill. On the left (inside), the internal chamber temp probe made holding the 12” ruler flat impossible. But I eyeballed it and compensated accordingly. Oddly, the left side (drilled) holes were much more accurate than the right side. I marked the holes as directed using the rack frame.
The hardest part I had was drilling the first of the 1/16” pilot holes. The tip of the titanium drill bit kept wanting to slide away from center. After several attempts, I grabbed a pointed chisel/hole punch and a hammer and was able to make a slight indentation that the pilot bit would stay in and allow me to drill the pilot holes. Note… my Milwaukee 18v drill is a great tool. However, to drill through the stainless steel, you need more horsepower. So I grabbed my electric drill. That did the trick. I had no trouble drilling the 5/16” holes with the pilot holes done. I smoothed the drilled holes with a 1/2” drill bit as Chad shows in the video. Heads up…it takes some time and muscle to drill the holes. It’s pretty thick, strong stainless steel you’re drilling through. It gives comfort that it’s that strong since the 3 racks and any meat you cook on them will be heavy. I could’ve never done this on my old Traeger BBQ075 (“Tex”?).
For whatever reason, my right side holes were not perfectly aligned with the rack frame. I was worried I screwed up. But there was just enough “slop” that the bolts went through and I was able to bolt it on. I’m guessing one of my right side pilot holes was off center. That’s where I started and had that initial problem starting the pilot holes. My left side holes were perfect. When it’s perfectly aligned, you can move the rack forward or backwards about 1/4” before tightening down. The right side rack had no slack. All three cooking racks slide in and out smoothly.
The paper in the shipping box said to wipe down the racks and frames with isopropyl alcohol. I only had a small container of that. So I used distilled vinegar instead. I’m crossing my fingers that’s okay. But I had a gallon jug of it.
. After that, I wiped all the parts with cooking oil and did a burn-in/seasoning run at 400F for 45 minutes. After 46 minutes, I put bacon on the racks and cooked them until they were done…about 20 minutes. I then slowly brought my grill temp down to 200F and then performed a “shutdown”.
I’m ready to do ribs and wings tomorrow.
Notes…
…there are stainless steel dowels that come with the racks that would prevent the racks from sliding all the way out. Good safety feature. The holes for them are on the back, side and do not go all the way through so the dowels stay put and can be pulled out easily. It’s tough to reach them so they need to be put in when the grill is cool.
…cooking the bacon I discovered that the left side of my grill is hotter than the right side. I had been told before that was the case but I’ve seen several times in this forum where people say the smokestack side is hotter on their grill. The high side of my grease tray is on the left and it seemed to me that’s where it would typically be hotter. (I never did the bread test…I think I will next week.
FYI…I had bought the Grilla Grills’ Jerky Rack so I could do the ribs and wings with tomorrow but the PCS racks came in in time. Alas, I didn’t use them. Apologies to @Greg Jones. If someone wants them, let me know. I’ll sell them at cost/list price and I’ll cover the shipping. If no one wants them, I may test drive it and give a review another time.
Chad Peterson was great to work with. I think it’s Feb. 1st or 2nd when I made the online purchase. Chad called to finalize details. He got it shipped to me and I received it yesterday. I ordered the grease diverter for inside the lid too but I couldn’t find any high-temp silicone sealant. So, I’ll put that on later.
I cleaned my Bull pretty thoroughly. I started around 3:30pm EST and it was starting to get dark so I waited until this morning to do the installation.
I reviewed the installation video last night. Per the video, I used a ruler to measure 4 1/2” from the front edge of the side ledge. The ruler really needs to “stand” on its edge as you need the mark to be visible when you hold the rack up to mark the two holes to drill. On the left (inside), the internal chamber temp probe made holding the 12” ruler flat impossible. But I eyeballed it and compensated accordingly. Oddly, the left side (drilled) holes were much more accurate than the right side. I marked the holes as directed using the rack frame.
The hardest part I had was drilling the first of the 1/16” pilot holes. The tip of the titanium drill bit kept wanting to slide away from center. After several attempts, I grabbed a pointed chisel/hole punch and a hammer and was able to make a slight indentation that the pilot bit would stay in and allow me to drill the pilot holes. Note… my Milwaukee 18v drill is a great tool. However, to drill through the stainless steel, you need more horsepower. So I grabbed my electric drill. That did the trick. I had no trouble drilling the 5/16” holes with the pilot holes done. I smoothed the drilled holes with a 1/2” drill bit as Chad shows in the video. Heads up…it takes some time and muscle to drill the holes. It’s pretty thick, strong stainless steel you’re drilling through. It gives comfort that it’s that strong since the 3 racks and any meat you cook on them will be heavy. I could’ve never done this on my old Traeger BBQ075 (“Tex”?).
For whatever reason, my right side holes were not perfectly aligned with the rack frame. I was worried I screwed up. But there was just enough “slop” that the bolts went through and I was able to bolt it on. I’m guessing one of my right side pilot holes was off center. That’s where I started and had that initial problem starting the pilot holes. My left side holes were perfect. When it’s perfectly aligned, you can move the rack forward or backwards about 1/4” before tightening down. The right side rack had no slack. All three cooking racks slide in and out smoothly.
The paper in the shipping box said to wipe down the racks and frames with isopropyl alcohol. I only had a small container of that. So I used distilled vinegar instead. I’m crossing my fingers that’s okay. But I had a gallon jug of it.
. After that, I wiped all the parts with cooking oil and did a burn-in/seasoning run at 400F for 45 minutes. After 46 minutes, I put bacon on the racks and cooked them until they were done…about 20 minutes. I then slowly brought my grill temp down to 200F and then performed a “shutdown”.I’m ready to do ribs and wings tomorrow.
Notes…
…there are stainless steel dowels that come with the racks that would prevent the racks from sliding all the way out. Good safety feature. The holes for them are on the back, side and do not go all the way through so the dowels stay put and can be pulled out easily. It’s tough to reach them so they need to be put in when the grill is cool.
…cooking the bacon I discovered that the left side of my grill is hotter than the right side. I had been told before that was the case but I’ve seen several times in this forum where people say the smokestack side is hotter on their grill. The high side of my grease tray is on the left and it seemed to me that’s where it would typically be hotter. (I never did the bread test…I think I will next week.
FYI…I had bought the Grilla Grills’ Jerky Rack so I could do the ribs and wings with tomorrow but the PCS racks came in in time. Alas, I didn’t use them. Apologies to @Greg Jones. If someone wants them, let me know. I’ll sell them at cost/list price and I’ll cover the shipping. If no one wants them, I may test drive it and give a review another time.
I am considered by my spouse to be an “expert” in this concept. 
