Introduction: Turn Gas Grill Into Charcoal Grill
This is my first instructable so bear with me on it. Oh and if you like it please vote for me!
This instructable will explain how to turn a broken gas grill into a charcoal or wood chip grill.
Step 1: Gather Materials
You will need:
an old Gas Grill
Charcoal
Maybe Pliers
Drill for making vent hole
Step 2: Disassemble the Gas Components
In this step you need to take all the Gas parts off of the old grill.
You don't want any thing left that could possibly cause an explosion. (This means remove the propane cylinder!)
Step 3: Make a Vent
You need to make two vent holes in the lid. Make them about the size of a quarter. We put one on each side of the lid. If you want to smoke the meat you will need to cover the holes. (Wad up alumunium foil and stuff in holes or find a bolt that is the same size of hole to block off the hole.)
Step 4: Add Charcoal
Now that you have taken off all the gas parts you can lift the grill rack and put in the charcoal or wood chips.
Step 5: Light It Up
Light the charcoal and replace the grill rack.
Step 6: Add Meat
Add your meat and begin cooking as you normally would with any charcoal grill.
Step 7: Eat
Now that the food is cooked; eat and enjoy!

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49 Discussions
4 years ago
Awesome! Thank you so much! Ironically I have that same grill as well! Quick Question tho...where do you drill the vent holes?
5 years ago on Introduction
8 years ago on Introduction
found a free grill on craigslist (the exact same one you did it on ironically!!) in the process of converting it right now!! thanks for the redneck grill instructions! you're awesome=D!!
10 years ago on Introduction
I have the exact same grill... It doesn't work well anymore and instead of buying a new one, I told my mom that I'll turn it into a charcoal grill for her. This is exactly what I planed to do, and it is reassuring that someone else has successfully done it.
11 years ago on Introduction
That was a nice instructable. I have to admit I have not seen a string of comments get so off subject as this one, though. It was hilarious.
I am pleased to see that I am not the only one who takes delight in using the greatest amount of firepower to eradicate a simple vermin/varmint. And I thought all of you were just nerds!
11 years ago on Step 7
Alot of gas grills are made of aluminum and can't stand up to the extreme heat of charcoal. Make sure you cook in a place that wouldn't detract from your home value if the grill was reduced to a molten lump.
12 years ago on Step 7
cool simple good idea don't burn food
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Me? Never! The trick to not burning food is to flip frequently and move away from coals if it gets too hot.
Reply 11 years ago on Step 7
great idea, but the meet looks bretty burned, does it have anything to do with the depth of this braai?
11 years ago on Step 7
Same grill I made into a "planting" trolley for mom by removing entire middle grill section and slapping a old piece of plywood on top.
12 years ago on Introduction
Nice job, as linux said pictures but still great... For the vent holes, use a hole saw attachment for a drill and cut the holes out, then either use the off cuts or some new little plates and simply tack, rivet or bolt a single shaft through one side of the cover to the grill top, now you have simple and handy swing around covers...
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Hey, I wanted to just shoot the holes in the grill, but since I was at work, they did it the sissy way. I thought I'd trained thekids better than that.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
I'll just stay out of this one... Actually shooting things is a good thing, an air rifle is great for indoors hole drilling and even outside stuff, I once sat for half an hour with a lever action treble2 (.22 X 3 power) shooting a smiley face in the side of a shipping container... But small calibre shots make excellent pilot holes for drywall bolts...
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Hmmm...indoor stuff sounds a bit scary. Although once my husband shot a rat inside the wall with a cross bow and an inkpen! (It was a grass hut)
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
haha, I once loaded up the Gas powered airsoft gun I had modified and chased a fly around, I hit it in the end... Other than that I've had to shoot a few other things, not least of which the one legged seagull that had stolen lunch from our work for years, it was fast smart and massive...
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Bah! I can take out flies with a rubberband in one attempt..
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
A pellets a lot smaller, main issue, combine with gratuitous recoil...
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Excuses, excuses, thou must have been on teh bottle ehh?
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Wow! Sounds like an adventure that you will never forget. We have a few of those too.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Yeah, so I've heard, just wondering what'll happen to this site if the skunkbait jrs. are on it aswell...