Grill Fabrication question

I'm building an outdoor kitchen/smoke shack behind my house. Once I'm done with the structure I want to build a parrilla style grill. My intention is to copy something like this in steel instead of stainless:

My question is...Assuming I line it with fire brick as shown, how thick does the steel plate need to be that the fire brick is sitting on? I'm thinking it can be pretty thin but not sheet metal. I don't (currently) have access to a good way to cut heavy plate. It will be inside the shack, so rust and rain management aren't issues. 

Also, no wheels on mine, thanks.

I'd think 3/16" would be sufficiently overkill, could likely even get away with 1/8".

As far as cutting is concerned, do a search for local laser cutting shops. I've got a local guy I use for oddball one-off stuff for work that isn't enough $$ to get the attention of some of the larger sheet metal shops we deal with. From what I can tell, the bulk of his business is small projects like this. I'm sure you could find someone similar in your area. The catch is you might have to provide .dxf files. 

Also, I think not using stainless is a mistake if you want this thing to last more than a few years. I don't care if it's covered, it will still rust. 

Furious_E (Forum Supporter) said:

I'd think 3/16" would be sufficiently overkill, could likely even get away with 1/8".

As far as cutting is concerned, do a search for local laser cutting shops. I've got a local guy I use for oddball one-off stuff for work that isn't enough $$ to get the attention of some of the larger sheet metal shops we deal with. From what I can tell, the bulk of his business is small projects like this. I'm sure you could find someone similar in your area. The catch is you might have to provide .dxf files. 

Also, I think not using stainless is a mistake if you want this thing to last more than a few years. I don't care if it's covered, it will still rust. 

I'll echo all of this ^^^^

Escept that I'm sure that 1/8" will be enough

Cutting 3/16 with an angle grinder isn't too arduous, and 1/8 is even better.  That's kind of what I was thinking. In fact, I think standard expanded would take the heat but not the weight. I could create the .dxf files with no problem, I'll have to look around and see if there's a local shop that would do it reasonably. 

stainless is awesome, but I can't weld it. If it's under a shed roof in this area it will easily last a decade with a liberal coating of BBQ paint. 

Cutting with a sawzall is way faster than a grinder.  

In reply to ultraclyde (Forum Supporter) :

As in you dont have a welder and this will all be bolted together or you dont think that you can MIG stainless?

SS MIG wire is a thing and works just fine. Don't even need it really, the regular will stick it together just fine just wont be a stainless weld.

I thought we were talking about custom front grill designs for cars.

Stampie has it right, sawzall is way faster and requires way less cleaning of sharp and jagged edges. 

In reply to NOHOME :

As in I have a 110v Lincoln flux wire welder without the MIG kit  Besides, I kind of prefer the black and slightly rusty aesthetic  

In reply to ultraclyde (Forum Supporter) :

I have no opinion on if you should build it out of stainless or not but just in case you ever need this bit of information, I discovered that you can buy stainless steel flux-core wire.  I've used it on some boat steps that needed a quick fix and it actually worked pretty well with a cheap CH 110v no-gas welder.  I think the brand was Blue Devil, but the spool's in my tool chest at the shop and I'm at home.

You can actually weld stainless with plain old steel wire, it's just that the weld wont resist rust.  I do it all the time.

For the bed, you could put some rebar "joists" every 8" and then use thinner steel.  Set the brick so that you have a piece of rebar under each joint so they are supporting the weight instead of the sheet.

When it's done, I think we should all come over to inspect your work.  Medium rare, please.

Although I haven't really gotten to the planning phase yet I was thinking 2" angle iron perimeter frame with at least a couple cross braces underneath. 
 

interesting note about the stainless flux wire and welding stainless with standard. Gonna have to look into that for other projects. 
 

if you haven't seen it I started a build thread on the patio and smoke shack this will inhabit. Once we're all vaccinated I'll have an open door policy for any GRMer in the area. Grilled treats and preferred beverages. 

I'm currently building a couple Argentine Grills for a customer to use in his new restaurant. They will be real similar to the grill pictured except it will have dual grills on each one. Of course they need to be heavier to handle the rigors of a commercial kitchen.

Mild steel is fine, and will be much cheaper. With a little care it won't rust out for years. 1/8" will be more than strong enough. 

Mr_Asa said:

I thought we were talking about custom front grill designs for cars.

I wasn't sure which one it was, but clicked... 'cause I was interested in either.