Basket-hopper to make embers (Cesto-tolva para hacer brasas)

Hace años me construí un dispositivo para hacer brasas, basado en una maceta común de cerámica, que me dio muy buen resultado. Es como una tolva que se alimenta por arriba y se va vaciando por abajo.

La ventaja de este método es que las brasas que uno obtiene están perfectamente hechas, y no se corre el riesgo tan común de que por haber usado brasas "crudas", el monóxido de carbono que despiden intoxique la carne y luego de comer el asado uno tenga pesadez y dolor de cabeza.

El único inconveniente que presentaba la maceta es que inevitablemente se iba resquebrajando con el calor, y al cabo de 5 o 6 años de vida productiva es un rompecabezas sostenido por la red de alambre que lo rodea, y que al menor tropiezo se desparrama por el piso de la parrilla.

Con motivo de construirme mi propio chulengo (pronto publicaré el instructable correspondiente) decidí cambiar la estrategia constructiva: en vez de hacer la tolva con una maceta, la haría con varillas de acero de construcción, de 6 u 8 mm.


Years ago I built a device to make embers, based on a standard ceramic pot, which gave me very good result. It is like a hopper which feeds at the top and is emptied from below.

The advantage of this method is that the coals one gets are well made, and not so that common risks for using "raw" coals, the carbon monoxide given off intoxicates the meat, and after eating the roast one has heaviness and headache.

The only drawback is that inevitably the pot going cracking with the heat, and after 5 or 6 years of productive life it is a puzzle supported only by wire mesh that surrounds it, and at the slightest slip spreads by floor of the grill.

Due to build my own BBQ (corresponding instructable coming soon) I changed the build strategy: instead of a pot, I would build it in steel rods of 6 or 8 mm.

Step 1: El molde y los materiales (mold and materials)

Entre las macetas vacías que guarda mi mujer, encontré una más o menos apropiada para servir de molde. Le faltaba un poco de altura para mi gusto, pero eso es fácil de solucionar, agregando algo que la mantenga levantada del piso unos centímetros.

Compré una varilla de 12 m de acero de construcción, de 8 mm de diámetro. Pedí por favor que me la cortaran en trozos de 1.5 m, lo cual hicieron sin quejarse.


Among the empty pots my wife keep, I found one more or less appropriate to serve as mold. It lacked a bit high for my liking, but that's easily fixed by adding something to keep it raised off the floor a few inches.

Bought a rod 12 m of building steel, 8 mm in diameter. I asked them please to cut it into pieces of 1.5 m, which they did without complaint.

Comments

[aleixoar]

Yo suelo cocinar con leña pensas que se adapta? alguna sugerencia? .
I use to cook with wood instead do you think it fit my needs? thanks

[rimar2000]

Totalmente, la leña produce brasas igual que el carbón (Totally, wood produces embers like coal).

[Phil B]

I never gave any thought to carbon dioxide seeping into the meat. But, I always started the coals in a metal tube about 20cm in diameter and placed the ignited coals onto the fire grate after they had been burning for 20 or more minutes and were very hot. I see how it works from the Instructable on your barbeque grill.

[rimar2000]

That theoria about the carbon monoxide is from an acquaintance, he tell me that an afternoon when I was with headache. He asked "have you eaten roasted meat at noon? Were you hurry?" I answered "yes" to both question, then he explained me that when the coal is still "raw" produces CO, it penetrates a bit into the meat and then attacks the liver. I think is a good possibility. Mi grandfather said "se non è vero, è ben trovato".

[pfred2]

I use a charcoal chimney myself. It has changed my barbequing life.

[Phil B]

I have used a variety of things, some of which involved starter fluid. The chimney is the best by far.

[pfred2]

I soak one charcoal briquet with some lighter fluid, wrap it in newspaper, then put it under the chimney surrounded by 3 pieces of balled up newspaper. Load the top with more charcoal, light the bottom, and let it go. Before the chimney I used to try to build this elaborate pyramid out of charcoal, with all the corners of the briquets aligned etc. Then I'd sit there and stare at my creation while it was starting and think I should have separated the charcoals a little more or this or that. It would take forever to get going. I'd usually end up dousing the whole thing with more lighter fluid, just about blowing myself up in the process, while simultaneously extinguishing any embers that might have been burning. I have two chimneys now, one has a cone of heavy wire in it, the other a flat perforated metal sheet. The wire cone is the best.

[rimar2000]

I searched "charcoal chimney" in Google because I didn't know that it is, and found this. Its operating principle is the same as my hopper.  I think those thick iron rods would last a bit more time than the sheet of the charcoal chimney.

I try do not use liquid fuels to help to start the fire. Occasionally I use used edible oil, it is very good for that.

When I was a boy, a friend teach me that "you must use only a match to start the fire, it is a shame to waste two or three". I believed him, and from that day I try to follow his advice. He was my age, but died more than 10 years ago, possibly drunk...

[pfred2]

I keep my charcoal chimney inside so it does not get weathered, and rust. The coals can make it glow a little sometimes, does not seem to hurt it any.

I use a Bernzo-Matic torch to start my fires. They would light without lighter fluid but I am impatient so I use a little. Just one one charcoal, then I discard that one.

[pfred2]

I just got notice. Tue May 8 12:11:45 EDT 2012
I can see your Instructable. Muy bonita!

[rimar2000]

Thanks, Fred!

[andyk75]

Very nice done. I would also use it as an outdoor heating device on a cold summer evening...

[rimar2000]

Thanks for your kind comment.

How did you find this instructable? I can't see it in ALL RECENT option.

[andyk75]

So you lost your own instructable? ;-)
No, just kidding, it was displayed on my page "New stuff from members you are following".
I guess I really have to learn to weld sometime.

[rimar2000]

Surely you got the notice of my instructable before it appears in the page. Now I can see it, some hours after I reported the matter as a bug.

No doubt, buy a welder not very expensive, and especially an electronic mask, the kind that darken instantly when the arc jumps. Welding is very rewarding and you can do things that would otherwise be impossible.

[Dr Qui]

My post don't show up in recent straight away either especially if you post at the weekend or enter a competition, i think they moderate the posts now.

[rimar2000]

You are right, it is not a good idea to publish during the weekend. People need to rest, too.

[Dr Qui]

Nice work, Your work is very neat and tidy even for something that will be on fire.

[rimar2000]

There are some microns of difference... It is to avoid resonance.

Saturday night was the premier of the chulengo, and today monday I had to re-use it to please my daughter, my son in law and my granddaughter, who wanted to see for themselves. She kneaded two loaves of bread that came out very, very well and quickly. I am writing the instructable.

[canucksgirl]

Nice job rimar ;)

[rimar2000]

Thanks, canucksgirl!