Making grill grates

[chefmjg]

I have a offset smoker american gourmet. In the process of redoing it, do to my negligence it got rust.Got all the rust off and repainted the smoker. Here is my question the fire grates were so rusted I could not save them is there a way to make them out of metal rods,or what should I do trying to save money without buying from charbroil

 

[chef jimmyj]

Google... Grill Grates and Fire Grates. There are a bunch of companies that can do better prices than Charbroil. Expanded Metal, non galvanized of course, may be an inexpensive option as well...JJ

 

[smokeshifter]

If you have some welding tools it really simple to make a good (or great) grate. I've made some using some flat bar 1"X5/16 spaced apart 3/8" regular cold rolled will last quite a while. Just do your math before you make the trip to the steel yard. I bought 2 20' legnths thinking that I'd have leftover metal, and had to go back for 2 more legnths! Expanded metal will warp when heated and is not as durable as a 1/2" rod or bar as described above.