Expanded Metal?.........Do I Have Three Eyes?

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BandCollector

Master of the Pit
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Went to my local Home Depot to purchase some expanded metal which is recommended here on the Forum to build a charcoal basket for my UDS.............Well, when I asked where I could pick up a piece the salesman looked at me as though I had three eyes...........He had no clue as to what I was asking for.

Could someone tell me what the traditional use of expanded metal is so I can go to the proper supplier and pick some up?

Thanks, John
 
If you are close to a recycler and steel supplier, they will have about anything you could possibly need for a smoker build, from tubing to sheet and everything in between.

If you're not near a steel supplier, then I would try to order the expanded metal from Lowe's or Home Depot. I have seen it available online, just haven't looked lately. See if they will ship it to your local outlet to save you from paying the shipping cost (shipping will be spendy).

Eric
 
My local Ace Hardware store carries the expanded metal... Might try them if you have one close by.
 
expanded metal is used for all sorts of things, I don't know if there is a traditional use of it. I would try to check a local fabricator (usaully cheaper) if there is one in the area if not go back to home depot and ask them where there steel is. They should have some type of steel be it angle iron or any flat steel and it should be in that area
 
Look in your Yellow Pages for a welding shop. They'll hook you up and can cut just the size you need.

Here is an online source. Don't know how expensive shipping would be though.

http://www.discountsteel.com/

Your Home Depot experience is not uncommon. Someone here posted a similar experience awhile back. Only difference was the HD employee who apparently had never heard of expanded metal or seen it in the store was standing in front of shelf with a sign on it.

The sign said "Expanded Metal".
biggrin.gif


I guess you have to know what it is before you can direct the customers to it.
wink.gif


Dave
 
I got the same treatment when I asked at multiple Home Depots and Menards. No one knew what it was and where the sheet metal is, there is none. So I know exactly what your talking about!
 
As a welder and fabricator, I can tell you that you do not want to get your metal at Menards or any other Home store. You will pay thru the nose. Any decent welding shop or your local steel supplier will have what your looking for. In fact, most steel yards have items that are less than perfect, meaning that maybe the item does not lay flat, has a bent corner or bend ect. These are usually half off. Hope that helps.
 
Well I found my expanded metal at a commercial supply house here in Pittsburgh. I gave up on Home Depot and Lowe's. The counter guy was very helpful and said he would cut it to my dimensions so I didn't have to buy an entire sheet.............Now I'm ready to go!

Thanks to all for your help..........I love this place!

Take care, John
 
i cant find it anywhere around me either. just set some brinks under my charcoal grate, and it works wonders!
 
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