Grate Style

[Kitecop]

I am doing my first build which is a 120gal and I have seen one recommendation to build round rod grates and not use expanded metal. Anyone second that and is stainless best for grates or keep with mild steel?

 

[Brokenhandle]

I've seen both used... not sure if one is better than other. I would think expanded metal would be faster. There's a couple builders on here that could help ya out better than me. So seenred , civilsmoker , I irvin78787884 can you help him out?

Ryan

 

[motolife313-2]

Here’s mine. They work good and work better then the standard size expanded metal when I lay beef jerky on them

 

[kilo charlie]

Here’s mine. They work good and work better then the standard size expanded metal when I lay beef jerky on themView attachment 726842View attachment 726843View attachment 726844

Nice grates!

 

[seenred]

I am doing my first build which is a 120gal and I have seen one recommendation to build round rod grates and not use expanded metal. Anyone second that and is stainless best for grates or keep with mild steel?

IMO, it's really just a choice of what you prefer. You can certainly build cooking grates out of expanded metal that will serve you well. In my experience, expanded metal grates are the least expensive option, and the easiest and fastest to fabricate.

If you want something a little beefier - and more expensive to build - you can go with round rod grates. They would definitely hold up better and longer than expanded metal, but are quite a bit more labor-intensive to fabricate. And the best (and most expensive) round rod grates would be stainless for the anti-rust properties, but carbon steel works well too - you just have to keep them oiled well to prevent rust.

Red