Firebox Opening

[jlabolt]

How large should the opening from the firebox to the pit be? I would think from the bottom of the pit to the bottom of the tuning plates or reverse flow plate, but can you have too much? I wouldn't think so as long as you didn't go over the plate. Any thoughts? Also, what is a good design for a wood grate in the firebox? I was planning on framing in some 3/4" expanded like I'm using for my grates, but I'm wondering if it will warp too much. Also thought about a rack of angle.

[JamesB]

If I remember correctly, your building this thing out of 30" pipe? I think your plan to go up to the bottom of the tuning plates with the opening will do just fine...

As for the firegrate, you can use expanded, but it will warp and burn through pretty quick. In my pits, I found some cat walk grating. It is basically 1/4" x 1" x 30" steel straps held together by 3/8" rods... Been working great so far!

Here is a pic...


Here is a pic of it before I burned the paint off.

[super8mm]

I like that James, did you find that local?

[JamesB]

Buddy of mine picked that up at a metal yard in Denton, Tx. Fulton's Metal, I think is the name. Cost a grand totoal of $8.25

[super8mm]

Hmmmm from my door to theirs is 24.7 miles. Guess I will have to see if they are open on Sat

Thanks

[JamesB]

I think they are open on Saturdays... The neat thing about this metal yard is that they let you wander around the yard... If you find something you want, just find somebody working there and tell 'em. You pay by the lb for used steel. They will weight it and give you a piece of paper. Take that to the register and pay... They will also cut stuff to size for you, but they just use a torch so the cuts ain't pretty.

[super8mm]

Oh cool, another toy store

[jlabolt]

I was thinking about a piece of grating just like that, JamesB. I think I can get one from work. How much space for ash and airflow is under your grate. I was thinking four inches would be adequate.

[3 alarm bbq]

Westex in Ft. Worth also lets you buy from their yard, and has a great selections of misc. stuff.

[JamesB]

I was thinking about a piece of grating just like that, JamesB. I think I can get one from work. How much space for ash and airflow is under your grate. I was thinking four inches would be adequate.

5" from the bottom of the firebox to the bottom of the grate.

[JamesB]

Westex in Ft. Worth also lets you buy from their yard, and has a great selections of misc. stuff.

Thanks for the headsup... Will have to check them out one of these days.