Grill design

[Eric Withers]

I'm in the process of fabricating a grill. I'd like it to be 2 foot by 3 foot and have a flat bottom. 1/4" body panels. I'm trying to determine whether or not the coal tray should be adjustable. If not then what is the appropriate distance between the cooking surface. I'm thinking 8 inches or so. Relying more on a heated chamber vs just flame heat.

 

[Scott Eisenbraun]

It's easier to make the grilling surface adjustable. The weight of the firebox loaded with wood or charcoal is excessive. If you look at pictures of high end grills, they use a rod, with a wheel at one end for adjusting the height of the grill surface. A simple cable system from the rod to cable adjusts it.