Timberline 850 gets a Covid project, Folding Shelf, on Steroids!

[rnsbr]

That's a great looking set up - well done! I just got a 885 century in which they do not make a front shelf for yet and not sure that they will given it's a Costco model? Not sure what to do, I may have to make something like yours? Anyway, look great!

 

[RemE]

Thanks, what is the final size of your folding part of the shelf? You had to cut some of the chopping board off to put a bit in the gap to the hopper.

My shelf dimension is 36"W x 18"D.
I played around a lot in determining how deep to make the shelf, this is purely personal. I wanted it deep enough for a 14"x18" utility tray to sit on it, not hit the dome handle, and not feel too deep when belly' d up it it and flipping food. The 36" width still allows the cover to fit so I didn't need to trim that dimension. I chose the 14" size hinges so they would not be too close to the front edge of the shelf.

This left me enough scrap top material to make the filler block below the controller, and the front face for the lower shelf, (the rest of the lower shelf was made from the left-over scrap from the 2x8 board used for the mount).

BTW, I glued that filler block onto the mount. I shimmed it level with the top and put foam wedges between it and the pellet hopper so it hugged the folding top, until the glue dried. I used Clear Gorilla Glue.

 

[RemE]

That's a great looking set up - well done! I just got a 885 century in which they do not make a front shelf for yet and not sure that they will given it's a Costco model? Not sure what to do, I may have to make something like yours? Anyway, look great!

I waited a year for a shelf to come out, none came, so I finally just knuckled down and made something. These Covid days have given me additional time to go down the rabbit hole and really get into the details of this grill. I know I will be keeping this for a long time and I get a smile every time I pull the cover to use it!

Watching the experts cook, they usually have another table to work on next to their grills, I need the table at the grill.

 

[Grill Billy]

That. Is. Awesome.
Great work!

 

[Grill-Fikis]

My shelf dimension is 36"W x 18"D.
I played around a lot in determining how deep to make the shelf, this is purely personal. I wanted it deep enough for a 14"x18" utility tray to sit on it, not hit the dome handle, and not feel too deep when belly' d up it it and flipping food. The 36" width still allows the cover to fit so I didn't need to trim that dimension. I chose the 14" size hinges so they would not be too close to the front edge of the shelf.

This left me enough scrap top material to make the filler block below the controller, and the front face for the lower shelf, (the rest of the lower shelf was made from the left-over scrap from the 2x8 board used for the mount).

BTW, I glued that filler block onto the mount. I shimmed it level with the top and put foam wedges between it and the pellet hopper so it hugged the folding top, until the glue dried. I used Clear Gorilla Glue.

thanks for this. super helpful. I've got the majority of the parts just trying to source some wood.

 

[blamber]

Thank you! Great write up!!

 

[REDOC]

Great addition but how does it affect the warranty if any I wonder. My wife just got me one for my B-Day. And yea for the $$$$$ I was looking for laydown room. And she had to buy a cover and a pack of drip trays? Pleasezz, throw em in Traeger. Ok they did season it for her wow. Will see how they wifi updates tommorrow and give it a go. Only bad thing so far, she sold my Camp Chief DLX for 50.00. Ahhhh.

 

[RemE]

Great addition but how does it affect the warranty if any I wonder. My wife just got me one for my B-Day. And yea for the $$$$$ I was looking for laydown room. And she had to buy a cover and a pack of drip trays? Pleasezz, throw em in Traeger. Ok they did season it for her wow. Will see how they wifi updates tommorrow and give it a go. Only bad thing so far, she sold my Camp Chief DLX for 50.00. Ahhhh.

My Shelf just bolts right on to the existing mounting holes, no mod to the grill.

 

[Grill-Fikis]

Hey just wanted to show you the completed shelf. Generally went ok, I had to make a few tweaks as the gas strut brackets were larger than expected.

I also kept the wood effect for the mount.

Overall really pleased with the way it turned out.

 

[RemE]

Hey just wanted to show you the completed shelf. Generally went ok, I had to make a few tweaks as the gas strut brackets were larger than expected.

I also kept the wood effect for the mount.

Overall really pleased with the way it turned out.

Great Job! I love the mount choice, is it all walnut? Beautiful!

On the struts. I had to slightly offset the brackets on the shelf end so they wouldn't hit the angle extensions when folded. I should have mentioned that. Also, it's common to invert I struts, housing on top, apparently there is oil inside and it keeps the strut seals lubricated. Just a thought.

I still love mine every time I open her up to cook!

Now, are you going to replace the hopper cutting board with walnut? I tried to stain mine to match but didn't like it, so I bit the bullet and replaced it with walnut.

 

[REDOC]

Man you love your baby. Right in the house with ya.

 

[Grill-Fikis]

Haha.... she’s treated well! Annoying started raining while I was doing the final assembly!!!

 

[sharkbait094]

Thanks for replying in the other thread to the insulation portion of this. Reposting original from other thread for context. Expecting shelf replies here.

"Hello! Just joining/catching up on the conversation from southern California. My Timberline 1300 was just delivered a few days ago. I owned a Pro 34 for 3 years prior. I have been scouring the internet for an example of a shelf mod (since before the grill arrived, having previously had the folding shelf on my Pro 34) and finally found yours today. That lead me to this insulation thread, which I find fascinating and am eager to try (especially before ever ruining the paint for the FIRST time). I have several questions and am glad to see such an active and current thread at the time of my curiosity. I am also glad to see that the smart controller is able to adjust to a different design to keep the temps where we want them and to know my 2yo and 4yo children will be safer, as the grill is on the patio where they often play (yes, we remind them often that grills are hot). Is there any risk of fibers from the insulation getting into the food? Anything you might do different on a shelf or insulation mod if you had to do it again? (I can start a second thread in the shelf section if you feel that more appropriate). I have access to a metal fabricator and was thinking of making a stainless steel shelf instead of wood - any thoughts on that? (I am a proficient woodworker, so I could more easily make a wood shelf, but thought stainless might fit in better with the look of the grill). Thank you in advance."

 

[RemE]

Regarding my shelf, I wouldn't change anything, it's a joy to use. The gas struts make it super easy to raise and drop the shelf as needed, I keep mine down a lot to keep dew off of it on long cooks and when cleaning up while hot after cooking.

The only delicate part is carefully measuring the Grill's shelf hole pattern for the shelf base mount. I marked both sides of the wood and used 1/4" forsner bit to drill part way thru from each side, meeting in the middle, to ensure clean holes and eliminate off angle drilling with my hand drill.

 

[John S.]

If you make it out of SS keep us informed, if you make a CNC file , I may want to buy one....