Smoker Racks

[jimalbert]

Im building a new propane smoke house and fell into some crap as far as shelving goes.  The racks are 4x3 and were used in a gas (natural, propane, welding) warehouse.  I havent seen these personally but if they are galvanized I dont want to use them.  They told my cousin that they werent galvanized but they are painted.  is there any real way to tell if they are galvanized besides looking for that crappy looking galvanized coating?

Thanks Guys!

Jim

 

[gr0uch0]

 
Im building a new propane smoke house and fell into some crap as far as shelving goes.  The racks are 4x3 and were used in a gas (natural, propane, welding) warehouse.  I havent seen these personally but if they are galvanized I dont want to use them.  They told my cousin that they werent galvanized but they are painted.  is there any real way to tell if they are galvanized besides looking for that crappy looking galvanized coating?

Thanks Guys!

Jim

Whether galvanized or painted, do you really want to run the risk of whether or not they're food safe?  There are so many options available to know exactly that you're buying food grade shelving, would you really want to roll the dice with your health?  This isn't a place to get cheap and cut corners:  my guests' food safety is paramount when I serve them what I've prepared.  I do not want someone sickened--or worse--just because I've tried to cut a corner or 2.  I'll leave you with this question:  would you want to eat food that's been prepared and held on shelves that were used in an industrial warehouse and in all likelihood would not pass a health inspector's review??

My $0.02.

 

[jimalbert]

Not at all.  Thats why I asked.  I had my reservations before I even asked the question.  Regardless I took the racks because I can use them for something else if they're not suitable.  

 

[gr0uch0]

 
Not at all.  Thats why I asked.  I had my reservations before I even asked the question.  Regardless I took the racks because I can use them for something else if they're not suitable.  

There you go, Jim:  leave those racks for the garage/shed/etc.  Like I said, there's a ton of options available:  here's a search that I just did.  Good luck!

https://www.google.com/search?q=food+grade+shelvind&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8#q=food+grade+shelving

 

[416bigbore]

I agree with gr0uch0, lots of other options out there over risking anything unsafe. I alway like to preseason the inside of my smoker if I haven't used it in a while to make sure all is coated with smoke residue and preheated first before using it.

I use 3/16" 309L stainless tig rod to make hooks and hang my meat from or I will use a piece of tin foil to cover the wood rods that I hang my Sausage from. Nothing special, but it works.   

 

[jimalbert]

416:  Its very seldom I ever use a rack in my smokers but I do want to have something to throw a few butts or Loins on from time to time.  My cousin grabbed the racks so we could have a look at them but they found the paperwork and they arent galvanized.  They're actually Stainless that was painted black.  I guess I could have them sand blasted but until I do that I may as well buy new ones.  I have been looking at expanded metal and think that I will probably go that route.  Great idea with the TIG wire for the hooks.  I have a bunch of SS Tig at home and will bend some up.

Thanks,

Jim

 

[416bigbore]

 
416:  Its very seldom I ever use a rack in my smokers but I do want to have something to throw a few butts or Loins on from time to time.  My cousin grabbed the racks so we could have a look at them but they found the paperwork and they arent galvanized.  They're actually Stainless that was painted black.  I guess I could have them sand blasted but until I do that I may as well buy new ones.  I have been looking at expanded metal and think that I will probably go that route.  Great idea with the TIG wire for the hooks.  I have a bunch of SS Tig at home and will bend some up.

Thanks,

Jim

Hello Jim, If those racks are true stainless you would be very surprised at how easy they will clean up. I would take a weed burned and blast them evenly with heat until a dull red all over and let cool. After that they should clean up very easily with a 4" wire wheel on a little hand held grinder.

Stainless will turn black after heated dull red and will polish back to a shiny stainless finish again, you will never know it had been heated?