New Fire Grate Mod

The_Kapn

The_Kapn

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I built a new firegrate. 3/8" rebar spaced 1/4" apart.
Fills the whole firebox on my StudeDera.
I did a test burn- expected good results.

Simply unbelievable difference!

I wrote the creation and test burn up in detail.
Look in Files-Bandera Mods-"StudeDera Fire Grate Mod".
Big Word file- 372K or so with the pics.

Solves a lot of problems for me.

TIM
 
Untill I pick up my Bandera this coming Sunday it shall remain the gimpy-out-of-the-box-dera. One good thing about having a brand new dera is that I can implement all mod completely grease free. Instead of having to put it together and take it apart again I can knock it out in one broad sweep!

One thing I noticed about your mod is it looks very easy to do.
 
BigBelly,

It is easier to to mod when the breast is all greased up. You open the doors throw metal at it and the mods just slide right into place. Its an amazing thing. :roll:

Ohh yeah, you also stay cleaner while your working on a greasy Dera. :mrgreen:
 
Excellent Document, Tim! I think I'm going to have the oldest step son attempt to make one for my 'dera.
 
Solidkick said:
Excellent Document, Tim! I think I'm going to have the oldest step son attempt to make one for my 'dera.
Click to expand...
Bro Kick,
Thanks (to you and all) for the good words on the write-up.
Looking back, if I were doing it again, I would probably use 1/2" rebar with 1/4" spacing. No more than 3/8" spacing. Still be plenty of airflow sq inches. A lot less tedious.

I would love to see a test burn by one the charcoal burner Brothers using the Minion Method. I bet that would be a killer burn.

I think (actually I know) you will like it! I do :D
TIM
 
I prefer oil to grease. Extra Virgin Olive Oil, aka EVOO <Rachel Rey Mod>. Les viscous, and seems to do better with a good rub.
 
Back on topic. I just purchased rebar from Menard's and they it cut to length for me: 33 pcs. @ 14 3/4" and 4 pcs. @ 19 1/2" all for under $6.00 ! Thanks for sharing your mod.
 
Neil,
Also on topic--Hope the firegrate works for you as well as it did for me.
Did you confirm the measurements?
I have no faith in consistancy from CharBroil nor accuracy of my memory and notes :D
Let us know how it works out!
TIM
 
Tim,

Is there different types of rebar, anything type I could not use? That is probably a really dumb question, but Unc-in-law's shop has a TON of rebar lying around. Maybe I could finish up my welding lesson and make fire grate. That thing seems like it would outlast the bandera!
 
Tim, very nice mod and doc. Another Brethren innovation. I'll have to find a way to get one in my Brinkmann.
 
John, rebar is pretty much the same -- just the size varies to protect the innocent! :D I believe Tim said he'd go with 1/2 inch space 1/4. So round up those stray 1/2 rebar pieces.
 
john said:
Tim,

Is there different types of rebar, anything type I could not use? That is probably a really dumb question, but Unc-in-law's shop has a TON of rebar lying around. Maybe I could finish up my welding lesson and make fire grate. That thing seems like it would outlast the bandera!
Click to expand...
JOHN,
There is at least 2 tensile strenghts of rebar. But that would make no difference to us. As David said--I would, confirm the measurements, use 1/2" Rebar, and just "weld on".

SCOTT,
With your firebrick, it should mount just fine. Check your measurements!
You could also weld 4 (or 6 or 8 ) little rebar legs on it and sit it on the bottom.

I have had a couple of Brothers ask for a test burn with 100% charcoal. So, I will load it up with 10# and fire her up. Never used 100% before, but I can at least record the time and temps and let the digital camera rip.

May take a few days. We seem to have Hurricane Bonny headed this way--Raning already and 80% plus for next few days.
TIM
 
I would probably use 1/2" rebar with 1/4" spacing. No more than 3/8" spacing.
Click to expand...

I like the grate a lot but was a little surprised with only .25" spacing, even .375". I was thinking something more like .5" especially for the wood users. I'm sure you still get the desired airflow but I figured the ashes will fall more freely using .5". Think I'll have someone make one cuz my expanded metal grate is just about shot.
 
I have had a couple of Brothers ask for a test burn with 100% charcoal. So, I will load it up with 10# and fire her up. Never used 100% before, but I can at least record the time and temps and let the digital camera rip.
Click to expand...

Tim, don't know what you had in mind for this charcoal test, but I might suggest you review Jim Balls modified Minion method for offset cookers. As I haven't gotten around to trying this in the vertical yet I would be very interested in the results. I have been using essentially the same approach in the horz, so if you have any questions about it shoot me a PM and I'll walk you through what I've been doing.
 
Scott,
I might suggest you review Jim Balls modified Minion method
Click to expand...
That was my plan. Seems pretty simple, even for a dummy like me :lol:
Let ya know what happens.
Gotta get by this rain first.
TIM
 
Well...the sage continues.

Kcquer and I did seperate test burns using only Kingsford (for me) and Kingsford + chunks (for Scott)

Here is the results:
http://www.bandera-brethren.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=UpDownload&file=index&req=getit&lid=112

I used the Rebar Mod and Scott used his existing "weave" grate, but doubled the density to reduce "hole" size. Great idea.

The origonal concept of reducing the area for coals to fall through the grate really helps.

If you have any kind of smoker (except WSM and Green Egg type) and do not use a basket, consider some form of this modification.

Scott, thanks for the help!

My "Pit Bitch" job just got a whole lot easier :lol:

TIM
 
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