Lets talk about accessories for your MAK 2 Star.
Now before I get started just want to let anyone know that these accessories are every bit as sturdy as the grill itself.....and then some.
Here is the 3/4 upper cooking grate. These versions do not have legs, they slide in to the grill now. I mention this, because if you have an older grill without these slide in ports and would like to get some, better give MAK a call and see if they have the racks still with the legs. Of course some lag bolts work nicely,,,,,,,,,
The full size upper cooking grate is one piece. You could use it for your main grill if you so wish. You could also use your 1/2 cooking grates up high as well. There are many configurations with the different size cooking grates.
Here is a picture of the full size cooking grate accessory with the included 1/2 cooking grate up top. More of the traditional set up we see in the pellet grill world.
As you can see the additional cooking grates both 3/4 and full size really expand your cooking space. They are all extremely heavy duty.
We will be using all the grates in different configurations on upcoming cooks so please stay tuned.
Now this next accessory we really wanted. In fact so much, we bought two. We planned on replacing our gas griddle because The Smoke is basically just an old worn out fry cook.
Why not use the MAK as our pellet fired flat top griddle?? Sure beats lugging propane tanks around. Got the pellets already.
Now the griddle is surprisingly light in weight. After the heavy weight of the grates and of course all the components on the grill, this was welcomed........I was getting tuckered out!!
The griddle is made of high grade aircraft aluminum with a hard anodized Teflon finish.
You will want to keep your flame zone covers in place and set the griddle right over it. The griddle basically covers half the grill horizontally. So we purchased two.
Also, very important, 400 degrees is the max temp and I think you will find that 350-375 works very nicely.
In this photo you see the griddle in place. The other section has the flame zone cover also in place so you could do a rack of ribs on the back portion of the grill and cook yourself some bacon and eggs or a burger for lunch. Brilliant!!!! Try doing that on any other grill.
By simply removing the 1/2 cooking grate and setting in the other griddle you have a full size flat top pellet fired griddle!!!!
Yeah I know they both have the edges which keeps them separated in a way but I found when cooking that these tall edges really help in keeping food on the griddle. Handy for keeping certain food types separated, easy to mix them together though.
We are going to use these griddles a lot!!
Now I always thought "The MAK is too small. I aint paying that money for a small grill" The MAK 2 Star and the 1 Star are not small. They will get the job done for a small family and easily feed all the bubbas when they come over.
With the full size cooking grate accesorie you can do 8 racks of ribs. Yeah they might be a bit squeezed in there, but MAK loves us and wants us to get our ribs on!!!
So, here is the MAK rib rack. Super heavy duty (no surprise there) and will hold 8 racks of rib with room in between the ribs for all that nice heat and smoke.
Yeah, this is all nice but I still have to have a gas grill (who in there right mind would ever want a gas grill?).....some do, that's cool, but with a MAK you do not have to have one one.
Now why would you want to have a gas grill to go along with your MAK? Or why would you want to have a charcoal grill?
To sear!!!!! Because, well you know "PELLET GRILLS CAN NOT SEAR" Oh yes they can.
I do have to give some of the other pellet grill manufacturers some props here. There are some pretty neat grilling options now so more and more pellet grills can sear.
But we are talking about MAK. The top dog. The big Kahuna. The Boss. The Man. The gold standard................you get what I mean.
So MAK makes a searing grate for those sear marks we all know and love.
The searing grate is also made from high grade aircraft aluminum and is teflon impregnated.
The grate replaces the half cooking grate and you will remove the flame zone cover for high heat grilling.
Here is the searing grate installed with the 1/2 rack cooking grate
For those large cooks when doing a bunch of burgers, juicy steaks or pork chops or hot dogs. simply put in another searing grate for a full size sear station....only on a MAK
Here is a little teaser for what is to be coming up soon......................
Wouldn't it be neat to sear and grill at the same time???
Why not? Simple put in a griddle and a searing grate. As you can see, whe have quite a bit of possibilities here
Now, I have always felt that all grills should come with a front shelf. But sadly, many do not. That is just one of my pet peeves.
Got the front shelf for the MAK. Again. super heavy duty and it comes with a towel rack. How cool is that?? Super easy install and does it fit nicely.
This front shelf does not seem like an after-thougth, it looks like it belongs there!!
Along with the hopper lid and the warming lid, the MAK can hold all the goodies you need during the cook!!
How about another pet peeve? All grills should include a cover. Why would you not cover something that makes you all this delicous smoke kissed food?
How you go to sleep at night and sleep peacefully with your MAK uncovered?? I cant!!!!!!!
I have heard stories of MAK grill covers not living up to the quality of everything MAK.
That has been addressed!! A new Mfg is on board and these covers are sweet. It fits the 2 Star with or without the front shelf nicely. Buckles are included to keep the cover on the MAK if it gets windy. This is a nice cover folks.
In closing about the accessories, yes they are not cheap. They are very well thought out and add to the MAK experience. They are very worthy of being attatched or used with your MAK grill and they really heighten the MAK experience. You will see this throughout the review.
I would like to also add that the griddle and sear grates are to be washed with warm soapy water. Never put in the dishwasher.
