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

 

[civilsmoker]

Red pretty much covered it….

Expanded metal is quick and easy, they require maintenance. They are good for retaining smaller items from falling through. The rolled type is best if you use

Next is stainless expanded. Less maintenance than carbon steel.

Stainless rod is very good from a maintenance stand point but depending on spacing it can “take” smaller items to the chard graveyard.

My Copper Pot has expanded metal but I’m going to upgrade to 1/4 in stainless rod. My X-Fire has stainless v-grate and will be making some 3/8 rod in stainless.

If you can afford the stainless both material and fab cost it is a very nice up grade….if not there are many many many and I mean many expanded metal smokers!

 

[irvin78787884]

I agree with seenred and civil smoker. Expanded metal works just fine for me. If you can afford the mild steel rod or stainless steel type grates there is nothing wrong with an upgrade. Just boils down to your budget.

 

[Kitecop]

Red pretty much covered it….

Expanded metal is quick and easy, they require maintenance. They are good for retaining smaller items from falling through. The rolled type is best if you use

Next is stainless expanded. Less maintenance than carbon steel.

Stainless rod is very good from a maintenance stand point but depending on spacing it can “take” smaller items to the chard graveyard.

My Copper Pot has expanded metal but I’m going to upgrade to 1/4 in stainless rod. My X-Fire has stainless v-grate and will be making some 3/8 rod in stainless.

If you can afford the stainless both material and fab cost it is a very nice up grade….if not there are many many many and I mean many expanded metal smokers!

I have the capability to fab stainless I just wondered about stainless staying stainless overtime in a cooker since one heated to a certain point stainless is no longer stainless. I'm in FL so everything rusts and does so quickly.

 

[civilsmoker]

I have the capability to fab stainless I just wondered about stainless staying stainless overtime in a cooker since one heated to a certain point stainless is no longer stainless. I'm in FL so everything rusts and does so quickly.

I would go stainless rod all the way. It would have to get crazy hot to reduce its corrosion protection. Ie if you are worried about it order 316 over 304 in 5/16 or 3/8 rod and they will outlast the smoker.