DIY Grill

[sergechronos]

So perhaps going overboard with the welding stuff, but looking to get a grill and decided to just make my own which I will document here for the lulz and posterity.

Current plan is to utilize a 55 gallon drum and some steel angle to form it, attach some cedar wood around 3sides of it to form a platform. I'll upload some very early sketches later on. I'd like to do some automotive (and 3s) inspired things on it for teh lulz as well.

Right now debating maybe attaching a set of OE manifolds to the sides to act as the chimney vents. Also thinking perhaps some old stock rods with a metal rod through the small ends to form the handle.

Any other suggestions or ideas to make it more racecar?

[Beef6]

Use a camshaft as the handle for the grill lid and the Pistons as handles on the sides to move it?

[sergechronos]

Contemplated camshaft for handle (and using rods to space it out from the lid.) Not sure I have a spare camshaft.

Hoping to source free (or just shipping cost) items to do this. If not, then I leave it as just a nice big ass grill.





Need to cut about 5" off the legs to drop it down a bit. Also need to weld the tubing on for forming the sides for the platform area I'm putting around it ( which will be topped with cedar boards) and still need to weld the base together and put wheels on it.

Aside from the frame itself, also need to cut the drum for the lid, and for the ash removal area on bottom, weld (or purchase) grating for the charcoal and the food to sit, and put hinges on there.

[futurevr4man]

too bad this wasn't a few years ago. I had rods, pistons, cams, etc I just threw away cause they don't bring any money and I didn't know mileage on them or anything.

You can surely get some free stuff though. Get Mitoska to get you some, I'm sure out of all his cars he has some laying around.

[sergechronos]

Yeah, the amount of shit like that that I've thrown away is unreal. May see what Mitoska has on hand, was hoping someone local has it. Maybe Paul's lazy ass still has his old NA internals?

Can't find my old stock manifolds, so there goes that idea for exhausting the smoke. Considered a Y Pipe, but there are no steel Y pipes that I'm aware of, almost all are stainless (which I don't want to mess with.) Maybe find a scrapped TD04 turbine housing to use for that?

[DrGonzo]

Be very careful what metal you use inside the grill and the barrel in general. Some barrels are coated due to the contents that they store. Others stored chemicals at one point that would be released when the barrel is heated up and could possibly kill you.

[Primus101]

Mmmm, synthetic motor oil smoke flavour....yeah you'll have to get that in/out stripped for sure.

Hey, there not much stopping the whole works from toppling towards/ away from you without bracing across those legs- probably the best way is to run another piece of tube across where the tank rest tube is & tie into that as well.

[sergechronos]

Be very careful what metal you use inside the grill and the barrel in general. Some barrels are coated due to the contents that they store. Others stored chemicals at one point that would be released when the barrel is heated up and could possibly kill you.

Yeah, ideally I'll find drums that were holding water, but as is I plan on stripping and cleaning the inside of it, as well as a few runs of charcoal through before actually using it to cook.

Mmmm, synthetic motor oil smoke flavour....yeah you'll have to get that in/out stripped for sure.

Hey, there not much stopping the whole works from toppling towards/ away from you without bracing across those legs- probably the best way is to run another piece of tube across where the tank rest tube is & tie into that as well.

That synthetic motor oil is so food doesn't stick on the grill ;p

I ran out of daylight so the base isn't done. I will be verifying that the legs are squared up, then welding tubing across the bottom on all four sides at a minimum to brace it up. Probably leave the front to back tubes a bit longer and weld plates on to attach wheels to as well so I can move it around.

I haven't decided if I'm going to leave the tank rest there as is, or cut out the middle and attach it at multiple points as well on the sides.

Also debating between trying to get some actual grill inserts, vs just getting a mesh/expanded sheet of stainless steel.

[green-lantern]

I might have some stuff you can use.

Also yeah, the chemicals and liner need to be a concern.

[sergechronos]

Let me know what you've got Paul. I've got a friend with a turbo, and Snook has pistons, obviously need to pay shipping on those so if I could avoid that would be nice.