Making a barbecue from an old gas cylinder is a practical and economical solution. Such a barbecue from a cylinder is durable, resistant to high temperatures and long-lasting. In addition, this is a great way to give a second life to a used cylinder and save money on buying a ready-made structure. In this article, we will tell you in detail how to make a barbecue from a gas cylinder, how to properly prepare the cylinder, what tools you will need and how to turn it into a convenient and functional barbecue step by step.
Materials and tools for making a barbecue
Barbecue from a gas cylinder, to create you will need:
Materials:
- Old gas cylinder (must be empty and clean);
- Metal legs or corners for the frame;
- Lid hinges;
- Handles for lid and body;
- High temperature resistant paint;
- A metal mesh or grate for holding coals and cooking food.
- Metal chimney pipe (if required).
Tools:
- Angle grinder with cutting discs for metal;
- Welding machine (or alternative connection methods);
- Drill and drill bits;
- Keys, screwdrivers and pliers;
- Gloves and safety glasses.
Preparing the cylinder
Proper preparation of the gas cylinder is the most important stage on which the safety of the entire work depends. You can make a barbecue with your own hands from a gas cylinder if you follow all the points. Follow these steps:
- Check that the cylinder is empty:
— Open the valve fully to release any remaining gas.
— Pour water into the cylinder to displace any remaining gas and eliminate any possible explosive vapors. - Cut off the valve:
- Use a grinder to carefully remove the valve.
— After this, rinse the cylinder again with water and detergent.
- Clean the surface:
- Remove rust and old paint with sandpaper or a wire brush.
Stages of making a barbecue
Follow these steps to make your own cylinder barbecue:
- Marking and cutting:
- Draw markings for the future grill cover (usually this is a third of the top of the cylinder).
- Mark the locations for the ventilation holes.
- Using a grinder, carefully cut off part of the cylinder along the markings.
- Installing the lid:
- Weld hinges to the cut off section of the cylinder and the main structure to create a convenient lid.
- Install handles on the lid and body for easy opening.
- Creating the foundation:
- Weld metal legs or attach the cylinder to a frame made of corners.
- Make sure the structure is stable and secure.
- Ventilation:
- Drill holes in the bottom of the cylinder to provide draft.
- Add dampers to regulate air flow if necessary.
- Pipe installation:
- To remove smoke, weld a metal pipe to the top of the cylinder. Its diameter should be wide enough to ensure good draft.
- Secure the pipe so that it does not interfere with the main functionality of the grill and ensures effective removal of combustion products.
- Recesses for skewers:
- Make slits or holes along the edges of the top of the canister to easily hold the skewers in place..
- Installation of grilles:
- Install a metal mesh or grate for coals inside the grill.
Add a top cooking rack if desired.
- Making the legs:
- For legs, you can use metal pipes or corners. The optimal length of the legs is 70-90 cm, depending on your height.
- Cut the materials to the required length and finish the edges to avoid burrs.
- Weld the legs to the cylinder body at a 90 degree angle to ensure stability.
- To increase stability, you can additionally weld crossbars between the legs at the bottom of the structure.
- Painting and finishing:
- Clean the entire structure from dust and dirt.
- Apply heat resistant paint in 2-3 layers, allowing each layer to dry.
- Check all connections and make sure the grill is ready for use.