How to Build a Woodgas Grill and Never Buy Charcoal Again : 8 Steps (with Pictures)

A woodgas grill is very efficient is fired up instantly and gives your food the flavor of the wood you use plus the heat is controlled by the simple turn of a knob. It uses wood chunks and very few of them and replaces charcoal so go green and make it taste great to

Step 1: Step One. Build a Woodgas Stove

first you need a woodgas stove. they are simple to make however I will not show how to build it because there are several good instructables already here so build one then on to the next step

Step 2: Gather Needed Parts

after you have your woodgas stove built you need a flame spreader to make the concentrated fire spread out evenly you can make one from steel plate or an old 55 gallon drum lid. A grill from either an old grill or a replacement grill from a store. Blocks or rocks to hold the assembly above the woodgas stove (how many depends on how you build your stove and how tall you want it). if you want a better grill you will need a lid from an old grill or just buy a cheap grill to convert. A thermometer is a nice add on but not required.

Step 3: Make Flame Spreader

I used a metal 55 gallon drum lid (make sure all plastic and rubber are removed) use a cut off wheel and cut slits about 5" long spaced about 1.5" apart starting at the outer most edge. cut slits 5" long and spaced 2 to 3 " apart near the center but not all the way to the very center. then cut some slots at the bottom of those half way between the outer and inner ring

Step 4: Add Thermometer and Handle to Lid

if you want you can skip this step but if you want to add a handle on top (if there isn't one already) I just zap screw it on then drill a hole and install a thermometer

Step 5: Assemble the Components

place a block for your stove to set on then two stacks of blocks to hold the grill assembly. There should be a 4" to 5" gap between the flame spreader and the stove. place the stove in the center then place the flame spreader on the supporting blocks. place grill directly on the flame spreader (there should be just enough of a gap so the food never touches the flame spreader). Now place you're top on and your done

Step 6: Fire Up Your Grill

Follow instructions on the particular woodgas stove you built but here is the basics. Take wood chips/chunks just below the top holes of the stove. Pick something like hickory apple wood cherry etc (make sure wood is dry) place cardboard kindling etc on top (never use fluid of any kind to start up the stove or the flavor of the starting agent will be present on the food!!!). once lit start the fan on the unit and once the fire is going good use a variable speed control to adjust the heat as needed.