expanded metal

[dkruks]

I want to get an expanded metal grate to place into my smoker so that i can place smaller items in my smoker and not have them fall through...

My question is, do I have to find a certain type of metal,does it have to be food grade? sorry if this is a silly question, but I really know nothing about this topic, and don't want to pay through the nose and buy it from some specialty shop when I could just get it from my buddy at his metal shop.

Thanks,
Dave

[Arlin_MacRae]

The thicker the better, so they'll last longer. You can use stainless but $$$$$.
I'd shy away from galvanized, for sure, but anything else should be OK.

[dkruks]

so it can be any metal as long as it is a little thick(longevity) and not galvanized(health reasons)...

[rondini]

What Arlin said.

[turkey_stalker]

I made this basket and it cost 19.99 plus tax at Ace Hardware....if you have a pair of good snips...if not add that to the cost...14.00 at Ace hardware for the snips.

http://www.smoked-meat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9091

[Arlin_MacRae]

Originally Posted by dkruks

so it can be any metal as long as it is a little thick(longevity) and not galvanized(health reasons)...

Yessir, that's the way'd I'd go. I made a charcoal basket for my Bandera a few years ago out of the thickest I could find at Home Depot (don't remember the size, though...) and while it warped a bit it never failed me. If you're just making meat grates they should last forever.

[dkruks]

Originally Posted by turkey_stalker

I made this basket and it cost 19.99 plus tax at Ace Hardware....if you have a pair of good snips...if not add that to the cost...14.00 at Ace hardware for the snips.

http://www.smoked-meat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9091

that's pretty sweet, thanks...i could modify that design, to only have a 2 inch lip on it, just to make sure my wings don't fall off after i had one too many....

[dkruks]

another question....once i have something like this, what is the best way to store it between uses...i would imagine that it would rust quite easily....

[Arlin_MacRae]

Unless you clean it thoroughly and put it in a really dry place it's gonna rust anyway. Spray 'em with Pam, coat with oil - or just leave the natural grease on 'em, I say.

[jemezspring]

Home Depot sells a 2'x2' section for about $20. Its not galvanized, but it is thin. It's what I used to make my charcoal basket 2 years ago. Should be no problem for your application.

[moocow]

Frogmats!

[ZouBBQ]

Originally Posted by dkruks

another question....once i have something like this, what is the best way to store it between uses...i would imagine that it would rust quite easily....

You should season them a little bit before cooking to prevent rust. Just start a fire unnderneath and spray with a can of vegetable oil. Let the oil cook off and repeat the process a few times. The blackened residue that is left will protect the grates from oxygen and they shouldnt rust. I always give my grill a fresh coat of oil before I cook with it, it also helps give nice grill marks.

[jestridge]

Be sure it not galvanize or the gal, police wqill arrest you.

[martyleach]

Originally Posted by moocow

Frogmats!

You should really look at frogmats. They are great and re-useable.

[Groundhog66]

Originally Posted by moocow

Frogmats!

Yup, that's a great suggestion right there.