Metal Mesh Trays for cold smoking, wood storage, or??


 

Bob Correll

R.I.P. 3/31/2022
Trying to make cold smoking easier than making a snake fuse I searched around for metal mesh trays.
I was wanting something that would put out more heat than the A-Maze-N tube smoker.
Amazon had a Rubbermaid 3" by 15" tray that looked perfect and was $10.
Target had a set of 5 for $12.69 and my local store had a set in stock.

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The two largest ones went on my bbq baker's rack.

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The 12" narrow one got a partial test burn.
K-hickory briqs, one lit on the end.

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After 1/2 hour:

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After 1.5 hrs.

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After 2 hours.

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I stopped the test after 2 hrs, but you can see there's still some fire in the starter briq.

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My uneducated guess is that this would burn for at least 8 hours.
I did not check the heat temp, but I didn't see the needle move on my Performer's thermometer.

The mesh is ferrous, I do not know its makeup.
I do know there was no damage or warping in the area of the burn.

I'm thinking one of the large trays could be rigged with double rows with HD foil between them, just have to leave an open end for the coals to make a turn at the end of the basket.
Smoke pellets on top or bottom should work well too.

I plan to try it out on a 3 lb. piece of bacon on Monday or Tuesday and will report the results in another post.

Note, there are little rubber like feet that need removing.
This set was found in the office supply area at Target.
 
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Great idea Bob! As I write this I'm fighting with my mini. Doing a Canadian bacon and trying a Minion instead of a snake and I just can't keep it under 200, same as the snake. Your idea may be the answer to my problem. A single row of briquettes which is really hard or almost impossible to keep lit with out some type of support.
 
Brilliant Bob. I agree with Jim, you always seem to thinking. You and Jim are two of the members here whose posts and ideas inspire me. I may have to steal this idea. Thanks for sharing.
 
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Not knowing how thick that metal is, burning stuff in it will burn through it in fairly short order (witness how thick the normal charcoal grate is).
 
Thanks for the comments.

Not knowing how thick that metal is, burning stuff in it will burn through it in fairly short order (witness how thick the normal charcoal grate is).
I grill a lot, and have replaced grates, but never from burn through.
Not planning on it lasting a lifetime.
Like I said, one burn, no damage, and it cost me about $2.60 for the one.
I'm not seeing your point. :confused:
 

 

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