tidbit info

U.S. Forest Service-Superior National Forest
27m ·
Do you get excited when you're tired and pop out of your watercraft in the BWCAW to see if it is a designated site or not and then see the metal fire grate? Home sweet home for one or more nights! We know! We love these fire grates too! In fact-here's some info on them:
Most BWCAW campsites have custom made fire grates by the Smith Foundry in Minneapolis, MN. Sadly, Smith Foundry went out of business earlier this fall so a new source will need to be found.
A fire grate typically lasts 15-20 years depending on how much use, and in some cases, abuse they undergo. Often times the legs are the first things to fail. Unfortunately, if visitors or tree fall damage the top or grill part, then the entire unit needs replacing.
The BWCAW has approximately 1,900 campsites, all of which have a fire grate. Wilderness rangers often carry new fire grates in during the summer and pack out the old ones. Other times, dog sled teams assist to efficiently freight in multiple fire grates during the winter to later be installed in the summer.
Thank a Wilderness Ranger the next time you see one after enjoying your dinner or Smore's

I read this last summer and told my BW rangers about it.
Hopefully since there are many foundries in the US, the BW fire grates can be easily replicated and manufactured at a different facility.

I've seen at least one grate that was made in Superior, WI.

I thought I'd researched this a long time ago, and feel there was a foundry before Smith.

I was alarmed to read Smith closed their foundry because of EPA problems. But many foundries in the US have closed for similar causes.

Maybe consider this foundry.

They provide firerings to the USFS.

Right in your neck of the woods, too, Deerfoot!

deerfoot: "Maybe consider this foundry.


They provide firerings to the USFS."

They sure don't give those things away with their prices.

LindenTree: "

deerfoot: "Maybe consider this foundry.



They provide firerings to the USFS."

They sure don't give those things away with their prices."

wow, at that price they should be delivered and installed at the camp site.

LindenTree: "

deerfoot: "Maybe consider this foundry.



They provide firerings to the USFS."

They sure don't give those things away with their prices."

Comparing apples and oranges, probably a ring for a group site but who knows

Regarding the Neenah Foundry discussion, here is a photo of a fire ring and grill in the Sylvania Wilderness for context. The boots can give a sense of the size of the ring and grill. The grill rotates on a pin at the edge of the ring. This combination is much larger than the typical BWCA fire grate.

deerfoot: "Maybe consider this foundry.


They provide firerings to the USFS."

I requested this quote when my brother was looking for a fire ring w/grate for his property. I too was aghast at the price. Eventually I found a real nice heavy duty used ring and grate at a Girl Scout camp auction. The camp was closing and we got it for $110.00. All we had to do was dig it out and get it on the trailer.

deerfoot: "

deerfoot: "Maybe consider this foundry.



They provide firerings to the USFS."

I requested this quote when my brother was looking for a fire ring w/grate for his property. I too as aghast at the price. Eventually I found a real nice heavy duty used ring and grate at a Girl Scout camp auction. The camp was closing and we got for $110.00. All we had to do was dig it out and get it on the trailer."

Show us a pic of the grate, pls.

deerfoot: "

deerfoot: "Maybe consider this foundry.



They provide firerings to the USFS."

I requested this quote when my brother was looking for a fire ring w/grate for his property. I too as aghast at the price. Eventually I found a real nice heavy duty used ring and grate at a Girl Scout camp auction. The camp was closing and we got for $110.00. All we had to do was dig it out and get it on the trailer."

And then FS personal complain about not having budget to do needed work while shopping on the government dime.

Ahahn366: "

deerfoot: "

deerfoot: "Maybe consider this foundry.



They provide firerings to the USFS."

I requested this quote when my brother was looking for a fire ring w/grate for his property. I too as aghast at the price. Eventually I found a real nice heavy duty used ring and grate at a Girl Scout camp auction. The camp was closing and we got for $110.00. All we had to do was dig it out and get it on the trailer."

And then FS personal complain about not having budget to do needed work while shopping on the government dime.
"

They are a heavy duty ring that will take a beating and very usable. They are not the simple grill that is in the BWCA. More common in campgrounds.

Ahahn366: "

deerfoot: "

deerfoot: "Maybe consider this foundry.



They provide firerings to the USFS."

I requested this quote when my brother was looking for a fire ring w/grate for his property. I too as aghast at the price. Eventually I found a real nice heavy duty used ring and grate at a Girl Scout camp auction. The camp was closing and we got for $110.00. All we had to do was dig it out and get it on the trailer."

And then FS personal complain about not having budget to do needed work while shopping on the government dime.
"

I don't remember exactly what I asked of the sales rep from Neenah Foundry other than I probably referenced the rings/grates used by the USFS in the Sylvania Wilderness. I guess the guy assumed I was a USFS employee. I never worked for them but aspired to while in high school but when I flunked chemistry as a junior the counselor told me I had better decide on another occupation since forestry required a lot of chemistry.

As a former civil servant I can state that we never shopped on gov't time, we played solitaire ;) .

deerfoot: "

deerfoot: "Maybe consider this foundry.



They provide firerings to the USFS."

I requested this quote when my brother was looking for a fire ring w/grate for his property. I too was aghast at the price. Eventually I found a real nice heavy duty used ring and grate at a Girl Scout camp auction. The camp was closing and we got it for $110.00. All we had to do was dig it out and get it on the trailer."

Should have bought it, that is alot better price than $1,898 on their website.
I could buy a nice canoe at that price.
R-8580 Fire Grate

Foundry closing-pollution

LindenTree: "

deerfoot: "

deerfoot: "Maybe consider this foundry.



They provide firerings to the USFS."

I requested this quote when my brother was looking for a fire ring w/grate for his property. I too as aghast at the price. Eventually I found a real nice heavy duty used ring and grate at a Girl Scout camp auction. The camp was closing and we got for $110.00. All we had to do was dig it out and get it on the trailer."

Show us a pic of the grate, pls."

This fire ring/grate was originally sunk in the ground. Here it was built up for ease of use. The grill can be flipped over. It is made of heavy steel.

deerfoot: "

LindenTree: "

deerfoot: "

deerfoot: "Maybe consider this foundry.




They provide firerings to the USFS."

I requested this quote when my brother was looking for a fire ring w/grate for his property. I too as aghast at the price. Eventually I found a real nice heavy duty used ring and grate at a Girl Scout camp auction. The camp was closing and we got for $110.00. All we had to do was dig it out and get it on the trailer."

Show us a pic of the grate, pls."

This fire ring/grate was originally sunk in the ground. Here it was built up for ease of use. The grill can be flipped over. It is made of heavy steel."

Nice, thanx.

Smith Foundry has been out of the fire grate business for a long time.

Make Grates in America Again!

Banksiana: "Make Grates in America Again!"

Good one.

Banksiana: "Make Grates in America Again!"

+1 - very clever.

I concur, very clever. I’ve seen the name Neenah Foundry stamped on man hole covers, sewer grates etc my whole life. In Chicago area, I hope they are still cookin.