In private homes, stoves, boilers and fireplaces are often installed, which, despite their differences, have one thing in common - a grate. It may differ in its shape, size and material, but its purpose in all designs remains the same.
The performance of stoves, fireplaces and boilers, as well as their efficiency, largely depends on whether the element is made correctly, how accurately it is laid in the furnace compartment, and also on the material from which it is made.
Features
Do-it-yourself grate is made in one piece, most often cast iron is used for its production. There are holes in the structure grille, thanks to which air is drawn to the fuel.
The part is laid in such a way that the grille holes are directed from the door opening to the rear wall. Large fire chambers will require several grates.
It is quite possible to make a grate with your own hands. It is an important element in the furnace compartment, thanks to which it is possible to obtain efficient combustion of fuel. Designs of modern furnaces andboilers are constantly changing, the details are being improved. But there is a functional element that cannot be dispensed with. This element is the grate.
The grate serves to support wood, coal and fuel briquettes. Through its holes, the ash falls down, which makes room for a new batch of firewood. Grate grates vary in design and are made from a variety of materials.
From what to make grates
Fire-resistant steel and cast iron are used to make the grate in the furnace. Since the grate is constantly exposed to combustion, cast iron is considered the best option for its manufacture.
Even the strongest steel is damaged over time by exposure to constant fire. And the combustion temperature of coal is considered one of the highest among all types of fuel. It is for this reason that cast iron is chosen for the manufacture of the grate. Steel material under the influence of high temperature has the ability to oxidize, and then it will rust and collapse.
Grate design
The size of the grate depends on the fuel that will be used in the future. For use in everyday life, designs of two options are recommended - one-piece and composite.
The first option consists of a cast iron grate, which is selected according to the size of the furnace compartment. The second type is assembled from individual elements.
The size of a composite grate is determined in the same way as a solid one, according to the size of the firebox. In addition to species differences,devices are also divided by functional functions.
The design of the cast-iron grate can be of two types: full-rotary and swinging. In the first case, the elements have the ability to rotate horizontally by 180 degrees, which allows you to dump ash and slag.
This design involves a groove in the furnace section for additional holes. It is extremely difficult to make a full-rotation system at home.
In the second design, the elements have lullaby movement elements, rotation occurs around at an angle of 30 degrees. This system has the ability to loosen accumulated slag.
By design, the grate can be chain and pipe. In the first case, the model resembles a conveyor belt. In the second, it is made of pipes and has a cooling function.
The cooled grate consists of a cast coil, which is made of cast iron. This type is used in the system of water heating and pipe water supply. A coolant circulates inside the cooled grate. Cooling is used when burning coal, as its temperature is a thousand degrees.
Types of cast-iron grate
Cast iron grate also comes in several types. The tiled grate has a rectangular model installed in the opening of a boiler, stove or fireplace. This type is considered universal in operation. The basket-type grate is ideal for an open hearth that is intended for cookingfood.
Such a model is currently practically not used. Beam lattice consists of a single or double element, which is similar in design to a building beam.
Beam cast iron grate is used to install non-standard structures. There is also a movable grille. She got her name due to the fact that her model is able to change the width of the gaps. The movable grate is most commonly used for long-term use.
Making a grate at home
You can make a grate with your own hands only from steel, since it is almost impossible to make a structure from cast iron at home.
Fire-resistant steel is better for work, but this is not a prerequisite. It is necessary to take into account for what type of fuel the grate will be made, its size depends on it.
For coal, a design of 300x300 mm or 350x300 mm is suitable, and for burning wood, the size of the grate will be from 140x120 mm to 300x225 mm.
Using a simple iron, it is necessary to plan the stages of work so that in the end the lattice is thick enough. You can use strips of steel and reinforcement. Before you start making a grate with your own hands, you need to take measurements in advance. At the next stage, the frame is made.
The frame is considered the basis for the installation of the grate, in the future, parallel elements are welded to it. It is important to choose the correct spacing between the elements in the frame. Here it is necessary to take into account that the ash does not seep through the holes, and the air can circulate freely to maintain combustion.
Holes in the grate should not occupy more than 40% of its area. Do not forget that no one canceled the observance of safety regulations. It is worth taking care of clothes and shoes in advance, especially at the welding stage.
Grate installation
Metal tends to expand at high temperatures, so the grate must be installed with a small gap of no more than 5 millimeters in each direction.
In the furnace hole, the ledge needs to be cut off, the grate itself will be located on it in the future. In a brick oven, the place for the grate is mainly chosen below the opening of the firebox door by one brick. This must be taken into account so that burning wood and coals do not fall on the floor.
At the installation stage, do not tightly install the grate, as the material is capable of deformation when heated. Doing so may result in breakage of the product and cracks in the oven itself.
It is also necessary to take into account, if triangular rods are installed in the grate, then it must be laid with triangles down.
Recommendations
The fuel material must be completely burned, and to achieve this goal, it is necessary that an optimal amount of oxygen be supplied. Therefore, the total area of the distance between the grates is no more than 60% of the total area of the grate. If the distance is less, into the ovena small air flow will enter, this will not be enough to maintain the combustion process in the combustion chamber.
With a large distance between the grates, the fuel material will fall before it burns out. This will result in an increase in combustion consumables.
Cast-iron grate for stove provides good draft, used for burning wood, coal and fuel briquettes. Cast iron still occupies a leading position in the manufacture of grates. Since it is the least susceptible to deformation at high temperatures.
Grate installation
For the manufacture of a grate in the boiler, a fixed beam structure is most often chosen. This is a composite model, which is based on a square or a rectangle of four beams.
This square must be made according to the size of the furnace compartment in which the grate will be used. Small beams are welded to its base, and the distance between them must also be taken into account. It should be such that the material does not fall during the combustion process, and the burnt residues can easily seep through these holes.
Conclusion
When creating grates for boilers or stoves with your own hands, you need to consider for what purpose they are planned. After that, it remains only to clarify the dimensions depending on the furnace compartment. Even a beginner can weld such a design, observing safety precautions and adhering to recommendations.
