Garbage Can and Flower Pot Tandoor Oven

Step 11 Afterword: Transplant into non-galvanized steel drum.

June 26, 2009

I moved the guts into a new, non-galvanized thirty-gallon steel drum ($50)--uncoated on the inside and with high-temperature paint on the outside. I talked to the folks at http://containerexperts.com in Minneapolis. Their regular line of work is manufacturing shipping containers and drums for businesses, but they sell steel drums to grill- and pit-barbecue-builders from time to time, and this is the model they recommended. No risk of metal-fume fever now.

Comments

[bp123]

What did you do to protect this from rain? I was thinking about keeping mine covered during non-use with the lid that comes with the drum. And keeping it inside the garage during the winter. You think that wud deter cracking? Thanks again

[bp123]

Using your design, Im gonna be using a 30 gal steel drum too but it still has paint on the outside, not heat resistant. How hot does the outside of your can get? Do you think I should strip the paint or do you think it wont get hot enough to melt it? Thanks

[fritz.bogott]

If you insulate all around the inner pot, the drum shouldn't get very hot at all-- except possibly where the air-intake pipe contacts it, where I could believe you might burn off some paint.

More importantly though: Several commenters have warned me to beware of lead-bearing flowerpots. It's probably possible to buy a test kit for this.

[bp123]

Isn't it safe to assume that pots that are made today will not have lead?

[fritz.bogott]

I don't think that's a safe assumption. I found this just now:

"Before getting started: Check to see if the container is marked as “Lead Free” or “Safe for Food”, if not marked and in doubt, check with a lead testing kit."
http://tipnut.com/baking-flower-pots/

[bp123]

Actually I'm seeing some sites talking about lead in terracotta. I guess I will ask the company and do the test myself

[fritz.bogott]

Yes, I think that's a good idea.

[bp123]

I called a company called Deroma which sells terracotta pots to Home Depot. No lead usage in their pots.

[hamstanz]

how would you go about emptying the ash ?

[fritz.bogott]

Big pieces out the top, small pieces and dust out the pipe at the bottom.