Question about grates.

[sklater]

For my 250 gallon smoker build I’m looking at grates. I’ve seen some with grates with handles you can slide out. Others have grates that are permanently welded into place inside. Which do you prefer?

Slide out grate:
Pros - easier to access meats, easier to clean
Cons - smaller cooking area

Permanently installed grates:
Pros - larger cooking area
Cons - harder to reach into back, harder to clean smoker

[GRailsback]

Slide out for access. But i am curious to know why you think the cooking area size changes, if you install small grates at each pull out grate level in the area between the doors you still have all of your cooking area.

[k.a.m.]

Slide out for access. But i am curious to know why you think the cooking area size changes, if you install small grates at each pull out grate level in the area between the doors you still have all of your cooking area.

I think he is referring to the gap between the doors and rails causing a loss in cooking area Grails.
In my opinion slide out grates all day long. Trying to get to the back of a 250 to work meat is no picnic. If you are worried about loss of area between the two them weld some grate material on top the slide rails to fill the gap.