Anybody ever made their own burn pot? Best material?

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tlc1976

Minister of Fire
Oct 7, 2012
1,305
Northwest Lower Michigan
My burn pot is still in decent shape, but of course at some point I'll need to replace it. Not only are they pricey, but I'm an engineer for a metal fab shop and I can duplicate it for next to nothing. Parts on the laser table, then a little bend and weld. Just wondering about the best material that will handle the heat. Says the stock one is stainless. We always have 304 and 316 drops on hand. Sometimes 304L or 316L. I can get anything else too, but would be a special order.

I'd do it this summer, when I can have the pot out long enough to take detailed measurements of all the features and holes. Just was thinking about it now.
 
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304/316 is good for 2000f im pretty sure thats what i used on my old brecwell. its been 8 years but that is all I've ever had around the shop. And it still looks good.
 
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My burn pot is still in decent shape, but of course at some point I'll need to replace it. Not only are they pricey, but I'm an engineer for a metal fab shop and I can duplicate it for next to nothing. Parts on the laser table, then a little bend and weld. Just wondering about the best material that will handle the heat. Says the stock one is stainless. We always have 304 and 316 drops on hand. Sometimes 304L or 316L. I can get anything else too, but would be a special order.

I'd do it this summer, when I can have the pot out long enough to take detailed measurements of all the features and holes. Just was thinking about it now.
Are you just burning pellets?

I made a couple dozen clinker pots years ago. Just cold rolled steel, pot looks as good today as ten years ago when we made them.

I ask about burning pellets because I tried using SS rods for the clinker forks and they burned out faster than the cheap 3/16” x4’ standard metal rods. It must have something to do with burning 100% corn. So I don’t know if you’d find the same thing using SS for the pot if burning corn.
 
Are you just burning pellets?

I made a couple dozen clinker pots years ago. Just cold rolled steel, pot looks as good today as ten years ago when we made them.

I ask about burning pellets because I tried using SS rods for the clinker forks and they burned out faster than the cheap 3/16” x4’ standard metal rods. It must have something to do with burning 100% corn. So I don’t know if you’d find the same thing using SS for the pot if burning corn.

Just burning pellets. Thanks.
 
I'm not up on my metals but use something that can handle heat/cold changes. I just got a new ss pot and this is the first week of use with negative temps. I now notice with the cold air from oak and hot flame it's constantly ticking. The tick u get when metal expands and contracts.. my other ss pot never did this. I'm finding it quite annoying since my stove sits in living room. Probably not helping the wind is blowing directly at my inlet

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