New charcoal basket

[fxpose]

I made a charcoal basket using expanded metal for my Weber kettle and decided to see how well it performed in the wfo.
It worked quite well in the cold oven reaching smoking temps (about 250F) in a few minutes and holding it there for more than 4 hours. I also made a temporary smoker door out of plywood with cutout vents to control air intake for the test and cook. I left enough gap at the top of the door for exhaust.

[david s]

George,
I hope that expanded metal does not have any zinc plating or galvanizing on it. Zinc is quite poisonous and it's melting point is quite low, you wouldn't want any toxic gases floating around your oven.
Dave

[GianniFocaccia]

George,
Is your expanded metal the same kind I see on all the competition smokers at the fair? I have used the same kind on my barbecue for the last 3-4 years. Those potatoes look yummy and nice rack too.

John

[fxpose]

Thanks guys. This is the same expanded metal people use to make charcoal baskets for their smokers. They normally use the wider grids for grates.
I'm quite aware of galvanized metal when heated and its toxicity.