Grates

[rayi]

OK so it is the end of the season and I have a question. I put the grates in my 2 by 6 so the point of the V is pointed down. Heard some where the ash helps insulate the grates so they don't warp and directs the AUF to the fire. Had a friend come by and said the points should be up to help get rid of the ash. Have I been doing it wrong all season

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

No, you are doing it correct. I would think they would warp bad the other way.

[CharlieVT]

When I did my oil to wood conversion I bought the Leader grates they use in their high efficiency archs.
Installed 'em they way I saw 'em installed in Leader evaporators when I was at the open house.
I just checked by looking in the new Leader catalog, page 2 has a picture of the Vortex firebox.
Yup, those grates are pointing up.

I dunno if up or down is better, but I just copied how Leader does it. I figure they know sump'tin bout it.

[Bentley Wood Maple]

Mine point down and have for 6 years. Broke one last year and ran for few days with remaining grates spread wider till got replacement from leader

[Mr Sugar Maple]

When I got my 2x6 maple pro from Maple Hollow in Merrill Wisconsin. They told me grate points point down.

[adk1]

My older leader 2x6 v pointing down

[VT_K9]

We bought our Leader WSE about 6 years ago. The only instructions included were how to brick it. There were no operating directions. We assumed the peak of the "V" should be up to shed the ashes. Since the first year all grates had warped severely into a hump. Last year we bought three new ones because they cracked. Since last year on this forum I had a desire to perfect our system. I have never been happy with the WSE compared to our older evaporator as well. I decided to find the instructions on my own to see what could be improved up.....one thing is to have the peak of the "V" down to capture the ashes which in turn act as insulation to prevent warping.

Mike

[Super Sapper]

With the point up you also run the risk of coals filling up the spaces between the angle iron and restricting air flow. I used unistrut witht he open end up on mine because I had it laying around. This is the second year and it is still straight as the day in went in. I burn pallet wood and it gets hot enough that it warped the front of evaporater even though it is insulated but the grates are still fine.

[CharlieVT]

When I posted I had assumed we were talking about the same kind of grates. My mistake.
I have the Leader Forced Draft Grates. On looking closer, I realize these can't be installed upside down. So we must be talking about different things.

My forced draft grates look like the big one in the middle, you guys must be talking about some other type, not the big one in the middle:
Sorry if I added to the confusion.

http://mapletrader.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=9605&d=1396956814


(Pictures from Bascom's online catalog)
https://www.bascommaple.com/category/grates/

[maple marc]

Unistrut? Great idea. I may try it as a replacement for my warped grates. Thanks.

[michiganphil]

When I posted I had assumed we were talking about the same kind of grates. My mistake.




Everyone is referring to the 2 that are pictured on top. With the V pointed down, the grate fills with ash and insulates the metal so it does not overheat and warp or crack.