UK mini

[Diggerg]

Are there any builders from the UK that have made the mini GF? Roughly what was the steel cost? I can weld and have access to a workshop full of the necessary equipment.
Also what did you use for insulation and where from?
Thanks Paul

[Chromeski]

Best advice i have is to call Frank and try to get an idea of what the thing is made of then call and price material. Steel prices change almost daily and vary a lot city to city.

[Diggerg]

Thanks Chromeski

[Diggerg]

On a side note I have some large plates of 20mm mild steel at work going free, would it be overkill to use this as my firebox material. Shouldn't burn through.

[JKalchik]

20mm? If I had access to economical 20mm plate, I'd have used it in place of the 1/2" I have in my double pan. Your firebox will be a little heavier.

[ajfoxy]

and if it's free, happy days.
I would not make the chute out of it though as it will add considerable weight going fron 6mm to 20 mm.
But for the firebox it is fine. Apart from that being the tight bugger I am, if I had access to free 20mm plate and the means to drag it home, I'd grab it.

[Diggerg]

The plates are roughly 700x500. Stack of them to use up. Not sure our plasma cutter will cope to make a grate as well sO may have to crack out the OA

[JKalchik]

Oh, WAIT!!!!!!

Make a removable grate, don't make the bottom of the firebox the grate.

A removable grate has a few advantages. You can dump the column into the ash box if you have a run away. You can shake the grate to knock the ash loose. You can pull the grate out if you want to unload the charcoal column. Personally..... I don't see any advantage to a fixed grate. YMMV, though.

[Chromeski]

I agree with the removable grate. You can cut the grate from 20mm, but I think there is some advantage in having round bar for grate

[ajfoxy]

If you got free 20mm plate and your plasma or gas axe will handle it, go for it. You can always file the edges round should you so wish.

[Diggerg]

Oh, WAIT!!!!!!

Make a removable grate, don't make the bottom of the firebox the grate.

A removable grate has a few advantages. You can dump the column into the ash box if you have a run away. You can shake the grate to knock the ash loose. You can pull the grate out if you want to unload the charcoal column. Personally..... I don't see any advantage to a fixed grate. YMMV, though.

Thanks, I planned on making the grate removable after reading several threads but was going to use the 20mm to make it.

[JKalchik]

Personally....... I'd save the gas. Make the grate out of angle iron and rebar, you'll be done in a fraction of the time it'll take to burn out the spacing.

[Diggerg]

Personally....... I'd save the gas. Make the grate out of angle iron and rebar, you'll be done in a fraction of the time it'll take to burn out the spacing.

I don't pay for the gas work do but have plenty of 16mm round bar.
I've got prices for my frame steel and I'm pleasantly surprised.

[mp4]

Here's what the grate looks like in mine...

[Diggerg]

Here's what the grate looks like in mine...

I like that you have an additional shelf underneath. Borrowing that idea.

[BurnBern]

Hi Diggerg I’m also in the UK in Essex. May I ask what your metal cost as I also want to build a mini GF. I have metal suppliers nearby so sourcing it is not a problem.