Patching fire pit spark screen

[stickshift]

My fire pit spark screen has a few holes (circled in red). Good options to patch/repair?

Thinking of getting some wire mesh like this:
1/4 in. x 2 ft. x 5 ft. 23-Gauge Galvanized Steel Hardware Cloth

cut some patches and secure the patches to the spark screen's frame using some 14 gauge galvanized steel wire I have on hand.

HD has some 19 gauge mesh, but the screen size is 1/2", which might be too large for an effective spark screen.

Is 23 gauge mesh good enough or will it get destroyed in short order?

Since so much of the top mesh of the screen is gone (and remaining life of old mesh is probably short), maybe I should just cut out all of the old mesh and replace with new mesh?

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'm not sure that galvanized would be a good idea. You could produce some zinc poisoning.

I think stainless might be a better option. However, any metal exposed to heat from a fire and then weather is not going to last a long time.

 

[nadogail]

you might try Mc Master Carr for appropriate screen material.

 

[budget76]

I tried similar a while back with some misc screening/mesh i had kicking around. Found it wound up being temporary, as the rest just started giving out afterwards.

I never found a good solution. I think if you just plan to replace it every year or so any mesh should be OK. And I'd think getting the galvanized nice and hot while upwind would be OK to cook off the 1st time, but not positive on that

 

[blacksporty]

Look on Amazon for a replacement.

 

[stickshift]

Look on Amazon for a replacement.

Replacement screens cost as much as a new fire pit.

 

[Lynden]

The existing mesh on your spark screen appears to be expanded steel. That's what I would use and I would replace all of the screen on the top. Call your local steel supply stores. A steel salvage yard would probably have some small pieces.

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=steel+supply+long+island+ny&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=salvage+metal+long+island+ny&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

 

[stickshift]

The existing mesh on your spark screen appears to be expanded steel. That's what I would use and I would replace all of the screen on the top. Call your local steel supply stores. A steel salvage yard would probably have some small pieces.

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=steel+supply+long+island+ny&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=salvage+metal+long+island+ny&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

I think you've identified the material the screen uses.

HD has some, but holes look too big: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbil...n-Plain-Expanded-Metal-Sheet-801427/204225784
But it is used as a BBQ surface, so it's safe for fire pit use.

Thanks for the links; I'll try those to source the expanded steel.

And I guess I can secure it to the spark screen's frame using stainless steel wire? Or maybe I can ask a friend to weld it to the frame.

 

[KEH]

Based on my experience with grills, no steel that is heated and re heated then exposed to rain, is going to last indefinitely. Its a matter of having thick enough steel to last a while. I don't know the sizes (gauge sizes?) for expanded steel but I suggest going up 2 sizes, also putting a piece of 1/4 inch flat steel in the bottom. Find used steel if possible for cost.

KEH

 

[KEH]

Sorry, I forgot to mention advising you to follow up on your having the pieces welded together.

KEH

 

[stickshift]

Based on my experience with grills, no steel that is heated and re heated then exposed to rain, is going to last indefinitely. Its a matter of having thick enough steel to last a while. I don't know the sizes (gauge sizes?) for expanded steel but I suggest going up 2 sizes, also putting a piece of 1/4 inch flat steel in the bottom. Find used steel if possible for cost.

KEH

Yeah, for sure this is a short-life item. You'd think fire pit manufacturers would be offering spark screens and sell you several of them over the lift of the fire pit. But seems it's a racket like trash can lids - you can't buy a lid separately, so if your lid gets frisbeed by strong winds, you're forced to buy a new trash can (until you realize you better tether the lid to the can).

I think the problem with thicker expanded steel is the holes will be larger, which isn't good for a spark screen.

 

[BillK]

Do you have any fireplace stores near you that are open ? They would most likely have something that would work.

 

[CJ7VFR]

I used something like this, from Home Depot, to re-screen our small fire pit. It is heavier duty metal, and it comes in different size sheets.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbil...n-Plain-Expanded-Metal-Sheet-801417/204225783

If you look thru the pictures customers have posted about this metal mesh sheet, there are a lot of pictures and reviews that show customers using this for grills, smokers, and a bunch of other fire related things.

I purchased a 4 foot by 8 foot sheet a few years ago to repair our fire pit. I found it in the outdoor section of my local HD, in the area where they have all the concrete rebar and other items. I do believe it is made for use in installing concrete flooring in order to help give it some strength.

I bought that size sheet because it was enough to re-do the entire fire pit screen several times. As others have mentioned, you don't get very many years out of any screening that goes thru a lot of heating/cooling cycles and gets wet.

You don't really want to use anything that is galvanized as it can give off some pretty nasty fumes.

Jim

 

[jonshonda]

Burn dry oak and don't worry about it!!

 

[Lynden]

I think the problem with thicker expanded steel is the holes will be larger, which isn't good for a spark screen.

If you are concerned about the size of the holes in the expanded steel, it is available with small (1/2") openings.

http://www.nilesfence.com/files/technical-information-mesh.pdf

If all you can find are sheets with larger openings, you can use two layers. Line the center of the "Xs" in one sheet over the center of the openings in the other sheet. Have your friend weld the two layers onto the frame.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

I'm not sure that galvanized would be a good idea. You could produce some zinc poisoning.

I think stainless might be a better option. However, any metal exposed to heat from a fire and then weather is not going to last a long time.

X2 on the galvy. The best way to make a spark screen last is to never use it over active fire or let flames up through it. Only put it on after the fire has died down and you're leaving the fire pit.

Tommy

 

[Netshark]

My fire pit spark screen has a few holes (circled in red). Good options to patch/repair?

Thinking of getting some wire mesh like this:
1/4 in. x 2 ft. x 5 ft. 23-Gauge Galvanized Steel Hardware Cloth

cut some patches and secure the patches to the spark screen's frame using some 14 gauge galvanized steel wire I have on hand.

This is an old post but if for those who see it, galvanized steel can be used if you have it on hand however is not recommended as it releases harmful zinc oxide fumes which gives you a massive headache (wont kill you) . It eventually burns off at 480°F (250°C) sustained temps for a few hours but now you're left with a ferrous (iron bearing) substrate anyway.

Because this is just a small application like a fire pit spark screen and those who have it on hand already I'd recommend letting the galv burn off before sitting next to it.

If you have to purchase something don't bother with galv.