BBQ from Scrap Steel

[jwilson]

I wanted a BBQ that would last but found that anything made out of 12g steel or thicker ran about $1,000. So I visited the local steel yard and bought their scrap. The main grill is made out of 1/8th inch sheet, the lid is diamond plate and the legs are 4" square tubing. The main cooking surface raises and lowers by turning the handle in the front. The cost of the project was about $150.00. I have the plans on Microsoft Excel (sorry no CAD) if anyone wants them....They're simplistic but they work.

[Finney]

A very good job.

[jwilson]

Thank you Finney! Actually, I just realized that I mis-spoke....the cooking surface is stationary and the "charcoal" grill moves up and down.

By the way, I love your Tru-Blu welding trailer! Nice! I have the Millermatice 210 but would love to have the bobcat....someday. Best Regards, Jeff

[arcwild]

great looking cooker

[CenTexSlim]

Good hefty looking grill. Hooray for scrap, right? I like the twisted tool hanger bar, really sets off the different textures of the flat metal & diamond plate. I'd like to see your plans, especially how you designed the adjustment for the fire grate or maybe some better pics of that. I bet that would support an offset fire box to give it a smoker use too.

[Stick rod]

Sweet looking project.

[Arc_It]

Nice and simple design. Looks great and I like the access at the back for the ashes. I am curious on the design of the crank system to raise and lower the heat. I am thinking of a similar design for my chop saw. Do you have any drawings of the design?

[KRS]

So how has it worked over the last 6 months?

[Pentawelder]

Thought that it looked familiar, I didn't know where I'd seen it ... last December, right here!!

[jwilson]

Sorry for the delayed response guys...I didn't realize that there were comments posted. I'll try to explain the raise/lower mechanics: When the handle in the front is turned, it presses against a tab that is welded to a 3/4" solid rod (runs the length of the grill front), which causes the rod to rotate. 1" bar stock is welded to each end of the rod, which is attached to the sides of the charcoal grill with bolts (approximately in the center) so that it is free wheeling. There is another set of 1" bars that run parallel with the first set that stabilizes the grill as it is raised and lowered. They are attached with bolts at each end. Now that I have throrougly confused everyone...I'll be happy to send the simplistic Excel file to anyone who would like it...just let me know.

[jwilson]

KRS...the BBQ work great! I've tried both direct and indirect on deer meat, pork, chicken, burgers, hotdogs and brats. Surprisingly, it doesn't take a lot of charcoal heat it up... probably the 12g steel. I use about 10lbs and it is enough to cook for 4 to 5 hours at about 300 degrees. I usually put the pile of charcoal on the left with a pan of water over the heat. Then place the meat on the right side and let it smoke for about 4 hours in foil. Pork and deer just falls apart!

[4shorts]

Man that's what I call a BBQ. You won't buy them like that in any store. Nice bit of workmanship there. Almost to good to use. Bring it on up here to Newfoundland Canada and we'll slap a moose on it! Heck now I'm hungry again!! Great job! Paul

[jwilson]

Now moose is something I havn't tried yet....hard to come by here in Georgia! I'll have to put that on the list though...right next to elk...the two are on my dream hunts list. Jeff

[4shorts]

Well Newfoundland has a population of just over 500.000 people and statistics show there's one moose for every 10 people. There are so many of these big beasts here it's considered on of the most dangerous places on the globe to drive so if your looking for a moose sometime bring over that awesome BBQ and set it up in my back yard and just wait for the moose to come by! Paul

[jwilson]

Now THAT sounds like a plan!!!