Fabricated some shiny grill grates

[Henrik]

Yes folks, I've been meaning to do this for some time. My custom built Hank's Hot Box has grill grates that I fabricated using expanded metal. Cheap, easy, and gets the job done. However, the expanded metal is a pain to clean. And this grill/smoker is getting some use, so I've been entertaining the idea of doing something nicer. Preferrably in stainless steel.

Well, today was the day. I went and bought a bunch of 6 mm stainless steel rods, and some angle iron (20 x 20 mm). Knocked out a frame and cut 27 stainless steel bars. They are placed with a 20 mm distance between each. It took a little while, but turned out good I think. I decided on purpose to mix regular metal (the angle irons) with stainless steel bars because I'm lazy and a cheap skate :-) Plus it works just fine to weld it all up like this. After all, it's just grill grates, it's not a space rocket.


Before




After (not yet oiled in)




Detail photo #1




Detail photo #2 (shows the underside)



It took about 1 hour, and I think it was worth the effort. I've now sprayed it with oil. Looking forward to the next cook. Less gunk is gonna stick to the grates, and it's gonna be easier to clean.

[HawkerXP]

Nice!

[Henrik]

Thanks!

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

Way easier to clean for sure

[Henrik]

Yup

[Jerod Broussard]

That is what I am getting for the pellet pooper on the way. I don't have the set up to put together 38.5" x 18"....plus, the material cost is actually higher than what I'll pay anyways.

GRATE job!

[Henrik]

Thanks Jerod! Yes, the material cost a little, but I figured I'd treat myself to this one-off build. Glad I did. But if it were bigger? Not sure.

[jfmorris]

That looks great! I like the rods better than the expanded metal grates.

My old offset had a 24" x 36" 304 stainless expanded metal cooking grate, and even being stainless, that expanded metal was always a pain to clean. They are still going strong though, just at my nephew's house instead of mine, after 40 years.

[Henrik]

Yes, the expanded metal lasts, that's for sure. And especially being in a smoker where they get greased up every so often. But such a nice change with the rods.

[dpearce]

Excellent work Henrik Looks like it literally came out of a box from the store!

[Henrik]

Thanks! I did pay attention to the details, so yes, they look pretty straight and nice.

[ssennott]

They came out great an hour well spent.

[Henrik]

Thanks, yes indeed.

[Smoker_Boy]

"...it's not a space rocket."

I love it.

Looks grate man!

[Henrik]

Lol, thanks!

[Andrrr]

Nicely done!

[Henrik]

Thanks Andrrr!

[RichieB]

Nice. I wouldn't know where to begin.

[Henrik]

Thanks Richie!

[RonB]

Ya done good Henrik.

[Henrik]

Thanks Ron, will be fun to test these out.

[DaveD]

That is some serious work right there. Mad props, Sir!

[Henrik]

Thank you Dave!

[DavidNorcross]

Wonderful job!

[Henrik]

Thanks!

[Carolyn]

That is pretty neat. I wish I had the skills to do stuff like that.

[Henrik]

Thanks Carolyn, glad I don’t have to do many of them. Very repetitive 😄

[briano52]

Beautiful! And where do we send the request for a custom sized SS grill grate?

[Henrik]

Thanks! Nah, too repetitive, glad I only had to do one.