The great Grate not so great

Rustyiron · Feb 28, 2016

I don't really know chit about the different alloy's available in SS, but in a little searching about it this past fall preparing to make up some shielding for some of the refractory in my gasification wood boiler I came across a SS that had a better heat tolerance. Of course it wasn't available so I ended up with 304 SS that seems to be the all purpose "mix" or alloy available at American Steel & Alum.
I'll be able to report on it's condition when this years heating season is over.

Kyle_in_Tex · Feb 29, 2016

Oldpath05 said:
You got my curiosity, what are you make out titanium?

Science projects. Things that don't rust. We also use a lot of 316L Stainless steel and then have it gold plated.

I was looking at a bbq grill forum and they recommended 304 stainless thin diameter grates for things like ribs and such.

Oldpath05 · Feb 29, 2016

"My point is...Don't throw the baby out with the bath water..."

To late, I through that baby out long time ago, couldn't stand the politically correctness.

Oldpath05 · Feb 29, 2016

Rustyiron said:
I don't really know chit about the different alloy's available in SS, but in a little searching about it this past fall preparing to make up some shielding for some of the refractory in my gasification wood boiler I came across a SS that had a better heat tolerance. Of course it wasn't available so I ended up with 304 SS that seems to be the all purpose "mix" or alloy available at American Steel & Alum.
I'll be able to report on it's condition when this years heating season is over.

That's what I made my SS grate out of, 304. A $30.00 experiment + time and welding wire.The stove is 35 year Shenandoah, this summer I'm gonna take the stove out and overhaul it, see about finding a cast iron grate for it, if I can find a 10" round one for $100.00 + or =, might do that.

Oldpath05 · Feb 29, 2016

Kyle_in_Tex said:
Science projects. Things that don't rust. We also use a lot of 316L Stainless steel and then have it gold plated.

I was looking at a bbq grill forum and they recommended 304 stainless thin diameter grates for things like ribs and such.

Science projects, awesome. I was thinking 316 SS is better grade of stainless then 304, so with all my scientific knowledge, I pick the 316 to cook on, and I want my burger medium well top with mustard catch-up and zucchini relish with a dash Tabasco, and a ice cold bottle of Moxie.

Oldpath05 · Feb 29, 2016

CalG said:
Cast iron is the most useful material.

The other's (mild steel, SS etc.) oxidize too quickly. It's not a matter of melting, the steel in SS is "burning" on the presence of oxygen.

I think your right on both points, I'll see if I afford a cast stove grate.

Oldpath05 · Feb 29, 2016

ovrszd said:
I burn hickory, oak, hedge, locust and ash. Real common for the door on my stove to reach 600F.

I'll use a laser temp meter.

Mistyped, meant 1.5".

I have only Red Oak here, that stuff I've seen lay on the ground for 10 years and still be solid in the middle, I burn some White Ash. No Hickory but I think there use to be some here 100 years ago, Hedge is something that never grew here far as I know.

Be careful with the decimal points, I'm just a weldah, so if your saying 1/12" holes, that sounds about right to me. Did you punch em with a acetylene torch or plasma and how far apart are they? I might try that.

Oldpath05 · Feb 29, 2016

5030 said:
Titanium is nice for rifle actions. I have a few. Very expensive to machine but oh so light and strong. If you want a long lasting grate and don't mind the ecpense, make one from Inconel. Thats what is used in the combustion sections of heat treat furnaces. It ain't cheap, has to be TIG welded but will outlast you and your wood burner.

I've heard of inconel somewhere, not sure if it comes in flat bar or plate, probably is way out of my budget. At work we use copper nick-cal piping
When you say rifle action, is that like lever action rifles, didn't know that titanium was used in guns, but I only have a few old west stile guns.