Smoker Grate - 1/2" #13 Flat or 3/4" #9 Flat

[Destroyr350]

Whats everyone take here. Should I use 1/2" #13 Flat or 3/4" #9 Flat expanded steel? I have a sheet of 1/2" #13 Flat but looks like everyone uses 3/4" #9 Flat.

[Big T]

If I have to buy something I go with 3/4'' #9 but if I already have something else on hand I just use that.

[Clover Ridge Smokers]

Since you have the 1/2" I would go with it. You may need to put is a couple extra grate supports since the metal is a little thinner.

[Smokeone]

[Destroyr350]

Since you have the 1/2" I would go with it. You may need to put is a couple extra grate supports since the metal is a little thinner.

My grates are going to be 42" wide so I plan on putting in 2 supports anyways. I might see if the steel company I use will let me swap it for # 9.. Decisions Decisions.

[Clover Ridge Smokers]

Your plan will work great!

[Tom_Heath]

Sounds like a plan.

I once thought about building grates with no frame, Just bending a shallow pan, but I dont have a cool brake yet.

[Destroyr350]

So I'm getting the impression no one sees a disadvantage using 1/2 #13 other than it it a little less ridged and will require some additional support.

[Gizmo]

I've used 1/2 - 13, flat for years with no issues.
All fire baskets eventually burn out …. We just replaced Ray's 3/4 - 9, flat basket and I think it was over 10.
13 ga. is a little lighter but you are probably only talking a years difference in the replacement cycle.

[Destroyr350]

1/2" # 13 it is because 3/4 # 9 is $50 more a sheet. That answers that.

[Clover Ridge Smokers]

Did I read that right? $50 MORE a sheet? I'm curious what they are charging for expanded metal in you area.
I pay $37.30 for a 4x8 sheet of 3/4 x 9.

[Gizmo]

$37.5 a sheet for 3/4 - 9 ga. flat?

I feel faint…..

[Destroyr350]

$37.5 a sheet for 3/4 - 9 ga. flat?

I feel faint…..

Where the hell do you live! Best price I could find was.
$100 for a 4x8 of 1/2 #13
$150 for a 4x8 of 3/4 #9

[Clover Ridge Smokers]

Yes folks that is the real price for 3/4 x 9 flat. The steel prices in MN are CHEAP!!

[Destroyr350]

Yes folks that is the real price for 3/4 x 9 flat. The steel prices in MN are CHEAP!!

Yea, I live in Connecticut. Not even the air we breathe is cheep.

[Clover Ridge Smokers]

A few months back Frank and I compared steel prices and pricing here was significantly cheaper than where is is located in Missouri. Since the weather here is so extreme, I guess we have one thing going for us. CHEAP STEEL

[Rev.Mike]

extreme ???? you live in a frozen tundra, lol but yes pricing is different in different regions

[Puff]

I'd spent nearly $4.06 a gallon for gas in Connecticut when everywhere else was $3.23. Never put a $20.00 bill for gas in a motorcycle up to that point. Then of course, just a little further north there's....Taxachusetts

[Clover Ridge Smokers]

I think it's time to move Destroyr350.

[Destroyr350]

I'd spent nearly $4.06 a gallon for gas in Connecticut when everywhere else was $3.23. Never put a $20.00 bill for gas in a motorcycle up to that point. Then of course, just a little further north there's....Taxachusetts

Our Gas Prices are higher because we don't have tolls, they just tax gas more instead of tolling the roads.

[Puff]

Well, that explains that one. But then, that route 95 to 91 towards Hartford has been under construction for the last 37 years ! It's amazing that it costs me $14.60 to pay for my round trip drive to work. Fortunately that is usually only two days a week in that direction but is is nearly $30.00 a week

I'd almost suggest you take a ride over to NJ for your steel but you'd still not save any because of those tolls. I believe my last sheet of expanded flat was $ 42.00. I'd given them the wrong item number for my trailer tongue and bought 10ft of stainless 2" box. That was $69.00

[abaralnek]

4x8 sheet of 3/4 x 9 is $65 here in taxachusetts, and that's with the tax

[Clover Ridge Smokers]

Ouch!