Fire Basket

[scuba-doo]

I'm not having much luck finding expanded mesh for my UDS fire basket unless I buy a full 8Ft x 4ft sheet. I spotted this
http://www.travisperkins.co.uk/p/expame ... 36/3893472

what do you reckon

[tommo666]

Or this perhaps: http://www.macsbbq.com/shop/spare-parts ... sket-excel

[scuba-doo]

Interesting site.... Cant seem to find any prices or sizes though

[tommo666]

The diameter of the excel is 50cm so the basket should be 45-47cm, maybe one of the excel owners here could say. The prices show under the shop page.

[robgunby]

Mate, had the same problem, 2.5 metres of expanded SS will set you back about £30 and you have to cut it to size yourself.

I phoned round some appliance repair shops and got a large washing machine drum for £5. Used a grinder to cut off the axle and a holesaw to add some ashdrop holes. Works perfectly.

[Toby]

The weakest element of the ProQ range is the charcoal basket they rot really quickly. I have a scrap yard of ProQ stuff the stackers, lids and bases could be used but the charcoal baskets are all ........ well about 30% still in existence

[slatts]

Now im worried about my Pro Q charcoal basket............

Do they rot from lack of use just sitting outside or even when used quite a bit, I like to Q atleast 3 times a month if not more.

[scuba-doo]

Ok so is anyone using expanded steel mesh for their cooking grates. I've been pricing up grill grates for the fire basket and for cooking on and am starting to think I may as well buy a full 8ft x 4ft sheet of expanded steel mesh to do the lot.

[robgunby]

Ok so is anyone using expanded steel mesh for their cooking grates. I've been pricing up grill grates for the fire basket and for cooking on and am starting to think I may as well buy a full 8ft x 4ft sheet of expanded steel mesh to do the lot.

To be honest, if I hadn't managed to pick up a 22" kettle for £5 on ebay, I would have done that, but in the end, £5 for the basket and £5 for the grill (and dome lid for future expansion) was a small price to pay compared to £40 for the EM (and that's just mild steel). I asked about it here viewtopic.php?f=18&t=4003&hilit=+expanded

Si tells me that in February, when the DIY stores get their summer stock in, buying spare cooking grates is much cheaper.

Stretchie uses a mild steel weldmesh cooking grate, I presume he has to keep this as well seasoned as a cast iron pan, or rust would quickly become a problem. Weldmesh for bbq grills is chrome coated to prevent rust. Could you get SS expanded metal?

Also worth considering that if you have friends that might want a smoker building, or if you want to build a second one for yourself, buying an 8x4 EM sheet is an investment

[scuba-doo]

Yes I had the same thought about sharing the cost of a full sheet. I have a second barrel so I'm pretty sure it would get used up in the end.