Bee smokers are a Beekeeper’s best friend, unless you are so busy being frustrated that it won’t stay lit. Apparently at some point, I managed to lose the grate in the bottom of my smoker. I knew it was gone, I just hoped I could make do without it. I was wrong.
I was looking around online for a replacement grate/insert, and was having little to no luck. I did manage to find one available for about $4… but shipping was $20.51… so that was not happening.
I did what people today do best when we are trying to figure something out. I went to YouTube and searched. After a bit of searching, I found a video of a fellow making a new grate from an empty chili can. The video belonged to OutOfABlueSky and is linked HERE.
Reading through the comments, I saw someone suggest using a tuna can, as it is already the right height… I decided it was time for tuna for lunch.
Using tin snips, the job was really quick and simple. I started with a Tuna can, obviously.
I took the tin snips and cut the bulk of the sides of the can away, forming three “legs” Note, I am by no means a tinsmith, but the legs were functional… besides, no one is going to be peeking into my smoker.
Next, flip the can over and stick it on a scrap of wood. Take a good sized nail and punch a bunch of holes in the can. Yeah, I know, not the most scientific counting method, but it works.
Finally, flip it over and viola! You have a new grate/insert. It fit perfectly in my smoker. I lit it to make sure it worked, and my smoker smoldered without being recharged with fuel for well over an hour.
I was quite happy this worked out, since I was tired of my smoker not staying lit. The vent hole at the bottom no longer gets clogged up, my smoker stays lit, and I didn’t end up having to buy a new one. Best of all, when I lose it again, I get to have another tuna sandwich for lunch.
