Expanded Metal For Grates

[Wet Spaniel]

Hi all, first time fabricated here. I was wondering what thickness of expanded metal you guys use for your cooking grates. I will be making 2 x grates of approximately 18” x 18”

I’ll be buying the expanded metal online and having it delivered due to my location so I can’t get my hands on some different thicknesses to get an idea of rigidity/stability.

thanks in advance.

 

[chef k-dude]

I would imagine some folks use the "mesh of opportunity" but you cant go too thin. Flattened expanded metal makes the most sense. if I were building something I would be thinking at least 1/8" thick (.125" or 3.175 mm).

This member is a fabricator of smokers, if you look at some of his stuff you might get some education.

A quick web search yielded this

 

[Hockeydudde]

Never made a smoker, but I have two (that have expanded metal, we don't need to talk about the total number...).
One has what I expect is normal expanded metal, one has expended metal that was flattened. I HIGHLY recommend getting the flattened version for your grates. The unflatened version is a pain in about every respect.

 

[chopsaw]

One has what I expect is normal expanded metal, one has expended metal that was flattened.

Not a pit builder either , but I've installed plenty of it on walls . Banks , jails , holding rooms and retail cash rooms .
Regular type one , or security mesh / flattened type 2 . At least that's how I ordered it . That regular is a man eater . " Razor blade soup " .

 

[Wet Spaniel]

I would imagine some folks use the "mesh of opportunity" but you cant go too thin. Flattened expanded metal makes the most sense. if I were building something I would be thinking at least 1/8" thick (.125" or 3.175 mm).

This member is a fabricator of smokers, if you look at some of his stuff you might get some education.

A quick web search yielded this

Thank you for that - much appreciated. Do you use 1/8 because it’s easier to weld, more robust, or a combination of both? Thanks again for getting back to me.

 

[boykjo]

You will need #9, 3/4" expanded metal grate.

Hope this helps

 

[JckDanls 07]

You will need #9, 3/4" expanded metal grate.

Hope this helps

Yep... This is what you want.... make sure it's "Flattened" expanded

 

[LanceR]

What boykjo said. 3/4"#9 flat expanded metal is pretty standard and will generally be available at any steel supply house. It won't break the bank and will hold up a good long while.

Where are you? A location makes helping out with suggestions and advice a lot easier. Someone may know of a supplier relatively local to you.

Also, it's pretty easy to find 3/4" #9 expanded metal on Craigslist and Marketplace. Heck, if you're near me I have some sheets of it on the stock cart and we'll snip off what you need.

 

[Wet Spaniel]

Thank you

You will need #9, 3/4" expanded metal grate.

Hope this helps

thank you - that’s perfect just what I needed to know - much appreciated !

 

[chef k-dude]

I think this may be the go to because it may be the thickest flattened available. My instinct for 1/8" does come from a welding background instinct. I haven't built any smokers, but I immediately went to flattened for the same reason everyone else does, a smooth surface.

Some of the listings are fairly unclear on the actual thickness. Some calling this 9ga. some calling it .60 thick. Neither is correct. McNichol's is who we have been using for years. I'd have to call them to verify true 1/8" flattened is not a thing. Their data is accurate and they have been selling these materials as long as I have been in the metalworking field (43 years now).

They list the thickness as .108", which is more like a 12ga. That's only .017" thinner than 1/8" (.125"), so very close to my first instinct.

Flattened - Expanded - Carbon Steel - 560N340948 | McNICHOLS®

560N340948 - McNICHOLS® carries Flattened Expanded Metal, Carbon Steel Hot Rolled, 3/4" No. 9 Flattened, 64% Open Area, Sheet, Long Way of Opening Parallel to: Length. Call or email us for a quote today.

www.mcnichols.com

Finding it local would likely save some money. The Amazon listing is $76 for a 2x4' piece with shipping. If you could find a steel supply place and have a pickup truck and willing to go get it, the whole 4x8' sheet may be cheaper than that. Have to factor gas and wear and tear on the truck though. Sometimes we forget, like my truck, it only gets around 17-18 miles per gallon. A 20 mile round trip could be $8 in gas alone (here in Virginia), not factoring wear on the vehicle.

 

[Wet Spaniel]

What boykjo said. 3/4"#9 flat expanded metal is pretty standard and will generally be available at any steel supply house. It won't break the bank and will hold up a good long while.

Where are you? A location makes helping out with suggestions and advice a lot easier. Someone may know of a supplier relatively local to you.

Also, it's pretty easy to find 3/4" #9 expanded metal on Craigslist and Marketplace. Heck, if you're near me I have some sheets of it on the stock cart and we'll snip off what you need.

Thank you LanceR. I wish I was near you - NC is a place I’d love to visit. I’m in the U.K. in the Yorkshire Dales, I’ll update my signature . I’ve taken a look at 3/4’’ #9 and I can now transpose that into something I can get mail order here.

thanks again

 

[seenred]

The guys beat me to it, but 3/4” #9 flat is what I use for all my grates as well.

Red

 

[LanceR]

Thank you LanceR. I wish I was near you - NC is a place I’d love to visit. I’m in the U.K. in the Yorkshire Dales, I’ll update my signature . I’ve taken a look at 3/4’’ #9 and I can now transpose that into something I can get mail order here.

thanks again

I'll order a couple of local piglets. If you start paddling now they'll be ready to butcher about the time you get here. We'll pick you up at the coast and start the foodie journey back here to the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains with a Down East clambake on the shore.

boykjo and some other active members are close enough us to have a gathering.....

And you live in apart of the world that's on our "bucket list", too.

 

[Wet Spaniel]

I'll order a couple of local piglets. If you start paddling now they'll be ready to butcher about the time you get here. We'll pick you up at the coast and start the foodie journey back here to the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains with a Down East clambake on the shore.

boykjo and some other active members are close enough us to have a gathering.....

And you live in apart of the world that's on our "bucket list", too.

Now that’s got me tempted!! I’ll return the favour with a couple of lambs - we are in sheep country here.

 

[chopsaw]

This is what I used to install . Just for reference , here's a link to Clark Dietrich sizing chart .
Has some info that may help along with the answer above .

Barrier Mesh for Security | ClarkDietrich Building Systems

www.clarkdietrich.com

Type 2 class one carbon steel . 9 Gauge . 64 % open .

Construction supply house or Drywall supply would be another place to check local . They should stock it , if you have thieves over there . Lol .

 

[chef k-dude]

Oh, you are in the UK...I should have wrote that 3/4 #9 is about 3mm thick! It's just what we know here. I've had no problem working with imperial or metric conversions over my career (before there were computers and smart phones), but the rest of the world seems to hate that the U.S. has stuck with what England gave us to begin with!

 

[Wet Spaniel]

Oh, you are in the UK...I should have wrote that 3/4 #9 is about 3mm thick! It's just what we know here. I've had no problem working with imperial or metric conversions over my career (before there were computers and smart phones), but the rest of the world seems to hate that the U.S. has stuck with what England gave us to begin with!

That's fine - I can do the measurements - it's that Fahrenheit thing that I can't get my head around !!! Thanks again for your help.