This is how to make an awesome BBQ from a stainless steel countertop, which is something that can often be found free or for very little money. The material is pretty much perfect as it will withstand high temperatures well. It's a very cheap project, depending on whether you'll need to pay anything for the countertop and griddles. Try finding used oven grids, they're great.
There is some cutting, drilling and bending of metal involved, but no welding. It took me about an afternoon to finish.
(The picture shows the first BBQ I made, because the second one hasn't been used yet.)
There is some cutting, drilling and bending of metal involved, but no welding. It took me about an afternoon to finish.
(The picture shows the first BBQ I made, because the second one hasn't been used yet.)
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Signing UpStep 1: Gather your raw materials
What you'll want to look for is a stainless steel countertop with one or two sinks. The older models are best, as the steel is thicker. The less wood there is on the back, the better suitable the countertop is.
You'll want the sink(s) to be more or less in the middle; a bit off center is acceptable, you can adjust for that.
This is a suitable countertop. It's on the thin side but it'll do. These are very easy and cheap to acquire in the Netherlands.
You will need:
Materials:
- steel countertop with two sinks
- two planks
- screws to attach the planks
- nuts and bolts (stainless steel is best)
- grid or mesh for below the coals, can be low-quality
- griddle for the food to be grilled on, needs to be foodsafe; stainless or chromed if you can get it
Tools:
- gloves (sharp edges!), ear and eye protection
- saw for metal, or an angle grinder
- pliers or wrenches for bending
- hammer
- wire cutters for the grid or mesh
- paint scraper
- drill
- screwdriver
You'll want the sink(s) to be more or less in the middle; a bit off center is acceptable, you can adjust for that.
This is a suitable countertop. It's on the thin side but it'll do. These are very easy and cheap to acquire in the Netherlands.
You will need:
Materials:
- steel countertop with two sinks
- two planks
- screws to attach the planks
- nuts and bolts (stainless steel is best)
- grid or mesh for below the coals, can be low-quality
- griddle for the food to be grilled on, needs to be foodsafe; stainless or chromed if you can get it
Tools:
- gloves (sharp edges!), ear and eye protection
- saw for metal, or an angle grinder
- pliers or wrenches for bending
- hammer
- wire cutters for the grid or mesh
- paint scraper
- drill
- screwdriver
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Easy enough for me to do. My better-half has a birthday coming up and this would be the perfect prezzy for him.
Already have all the materials and already have one of his mates on standby should I need a helping hand.
This is gonna so awesome to make & can't wait to see his face either :-)
Please, please post a pic when you're done, and by any means, if you have questions feel free to ask!
Here's wishing the birthday boy an excellent day and many happy returns.
Txs for the best wishes too, will let him see the instructable after I'm done lol
Have fun!
A word of caution: stainless steel transmits heat more rapidly and for a greater distance than does carbon steel. So watchout for hot surfaces once the coals get going.
I would add cross bracing in the front and back for stability, and feet at the four corners to allow for uneven ground surface.
Yes, if you're worried about stability cross bracing is an excellent solution. I decided against it, as I felt it wasn't needed.
Thanks for the kind words and suggestions!
What happened???
The suspense is killing me!
:-)
Srsly.... alloys tend to conduct heat a lot slower than pure metals do, and stainless steel is an alloy. There is a reason why good quality stainless cooking pots have a thick bottom with a layer of copper or aluminium inside.
- I started by making a pair of dummy cases from cardboard to get the fit right, it helps a lot.
- I used 0.8 mm stainless steel (from a junk yard). Almost two square metres of steel for my two cases.
Here's a pic of my cases. This is when they were brand new. They look a lot more beat up now, but they still hold up great!
Say, what kind of a spot welder did you use?
A mean does spod welding 0.8mm stainless take a lot of power to do?
Could you have ade them out of thiner, say 0.6mm steel?
Furthermore: *BAM* This is where you hit upon the limits of my knowledge. I have no idea what kind of a spot welder we used, it was at a technical school and they kindly let us use their equipment. So I couldn't tell you anything about the machine. I can tell you that I had fun.
I do know, though, that depending on the exact machine you have access to, 0.6 mm stainless is most likely possible. Many of these machines can handle pretty much anything up to 2 x 1mm.
Word to the wise: if you don't have a spot welder, find one you can use first, and then make your design. Because the shape of the arms limits the freedom the machine has to reach tight spots.
For example, it may be better to put a seam in the middle of one of the sides of your case, rather than in the corner, so it's easier to reach.
I guess I have to build myself a spot welder first and then move on to thinking the things I can fabricate with it!
Your "word to the wise" is a DAMN GOOD advice!
One that you have to fail first to know!
Thank you!!!
Just looking at it, I'm seeing a mod or two that might make your bbq-ing easier...
You could put a pan under the drain holes so you could just sweep the ashes into the hole and be ready for the next round. Maybe some metal tube so the ashes slide down to a pan or ash bucket.
Leaving some counter to the side would probably make prep and cleanup considerably easier as well. I know I'm always looking for more counter top space when I'm outside using the smoker.
I'm already envisioning a double grill next to my smoker and gas grill... maybe actually incorporate a working sink so I can actually clean items outside.
When this thing is on it's generally too hot for any counter space to be usable. You will probably not want to de standing that close when doing any preparations.
The contruction is not rigid enough to be used as a counter either.
So that is why I choose not to leave any space to the side. But of course, preferences differ and variations are always an option.
Useful.
Resourceful.
Recyled.
Thanks!
I will keep an eye out for them sinks from now on!
I just thought if you had two ,,, you could put the other upside down, add some hinges and a handle to make a lid or a drum over one side to make a smoker / dehydrator.
If i would have had this ible a bit sooner, i would be the proud owner of this cool BBQ!
Awsome idea!
You can always check Marktplaats... but yeah, it's more fun if you happen to have one standing around.