Today, statistics show that 48% of young people choose to relax in the forest instead of partying. Absolutely any leisure time outside the city, from weekends with parents in the village to romantic get-togethers by the lake, most involve refreshing drinks and fried meat. Of course, at any time you can create racks from bricks and cook food in such conditions. Do you want to have a great rest and not worry about how to cook barbecue? A do-it-yourself barbecue made from a gas cylinder would be an excellent device. In a couple of hours you can build such a useful device yourself. Why is a DIY barbecue made from a gas cylinder a good idea? And all because of the small size, convenience and freedom to choose design and style as you wish. Below we will learn a lot of new and useful information about how to make a barbecue from a propane cylinder, and no longer waste time on impractical brick racks.
What types of barbecues are there?
The most common thing is a barbecue made from a cylinder with your own hands. It is made in 3-4 hours, because there is no lid or additional functions. What else can be made from a gas cylinder? Most often, more modern options are chosen, because they all differ in only a few details and the required manufacturing time.
- Barbecue . In the process, part of the balloon wall is cut off and attached to a loop. The fireboxes act as windows through which coals are placed. A DIY gas cylinder kebab maker is perfect for true lovers of juicy meat and aromatic vegetables. 15 minutes of frying and a complete lunch for the family is ready!
- Smokehouse. The most important difference from a standard barbecue is that it is 100% sealed. Pieces of pipe are made on top that will be chimneys. Before starting use, the grill needs to be heated 3-5 times. Unlike the previous option, the smokehouse is not as popular. But in vain! Smoked meat can easily compete with kebab.
- Smoker includes three types of cooking meat on a propane grill in one. During production it is necessary to use 3-4 cylinders of different volumes. The thing is very practical and convenient, but making it is not so easy.
Do you have a rich imagination? Then you can safely create aesthetic legs, arms, and stops in the form of various shapes. There are so many options for barbecues, you just have to choose the one that suits you. After all, each owner has his own priorities: for some, quality comes first, and for others, design so that it fits the design of a private home. Think in advance where the grill will be located. Choose places without gas pipes and wiring.
Preparatory actions
At this stage, a gas cylinder is selected, diagrams or drawings with dimensions, materials and tools are prepared.
Barbecue diagram
This is a fairly simple structure. To create it, you do not need complex drawings, but it is advisable to make a diagram with dimensions. This will help determine the amount of materials required and plan the order of actions.
You can also consider the drawings offered online: they will help make useful changes to the proposed version of the barbecue, improve it or simplify the manufacturing process
What you need
In addition to the cylinder itself, you will need the following materials:
- sections of angles and pipes made of steel;
- door hinges;
- metal handles (they are needed for the lid);
- for a chimney: pipe with an elbow (at an angle of 90 degrees) - diameter 100 mm;
- bolts and nuts;
- materials for decorating and finishing the structure - primer, solvent, paint, selected decor, etc.
Tools needed:
- welding transformer;
- grinder (angle grinder), as well as cleaning and cutting discs for it;
- electrodes with a diameter of 3–4 mm;
- electric drill and metal drills;
- clamps - necessary for securing metal parts;
- long metal ruler;
- core;
- brushes for painting the grill (you can also use a brush attachment on a drill to simplify the painting process);
- gas, adjustable wrenches and a set of wrenches.
Cylinder selection
A cylinder with a capacity of 50 liters is suitable. Its design allows you to use skewers over their entire length, making it faster to cook for a large number of people.
If you need a mobile and lightweight barbecue, take a 27 liter cylinder.
The wall thickness of such containers is at least three millimeters, so even those products that have been outside for a long time can most likely be used. The main thing is to check for corrosion. If it is, it is better not to take such a cylinder.
Safety rules when working with cylinders
When working with gas cylinders, follow three simple safety rules:
- Do not use the angle grinder until you are sure there are no hazardous substances inside the cylinder. An unscrewed valve of the container and the absence of gas in it is a sign that the pressure inside is already equal to atmospheric pressure, but not always that the cylinder is safe. Often condensation and gasoline remain in it. These substances must be removed. They do this:
- turn the container over to drain any remaining hazardous substances;
- return to normal position and fill with water;
- wait 2–3 days;
- drain the liquid - after this the cylinder becomes completely safe to work with.
Before opening the cylinder, all contents must be removed from it.
- When welding or cutting metal, do not forget to protect your hands and eyes, and use special clothing.
- Work outdoors or in a spacious, well-ventilated area free of children or pets.
Which cylinder is best for the job?
What can be made from a gas cylinder? The range of designs that can be obtained from it is wide; today we will consider a universal grill. A good option would be a 50-70 liter cylinder. The diameter makes it easy to light a fire. This vessel is spacious enough to fry the entire skewer. But if you do not have containers of suitable sizes, then there will be no problems, you will just have to make calculations using other standards.
The containers are constructed from high-quality steel with a thickness of more than 3 millimeters. If they lay somewhere in the open air for a long time, then it’s okay. In 90% of cases you can work with them. If they are very rusty, then you shouldn’t waste time on this; it will be easier to find another cylinder.
Mobile installations
The Smoker is a fairly heavy unit that is rarely moved to another location. But there are ways to increase its mobility.
Smoker grill on wheels
Installations used in a country house or garden plot are mounted on a stand. It connects the elements into a solid structure and supports them at the required height.
To make it easier to move the device around the site, the stand is mounted on a frame made of corners or boxes. Wheels, preferably rotating ones, are attached to the same frame. They are sold in construction equipment stores, where they are a part of scaffolding.
Design of a smoker grill on wheels
Smoker grill on trailer
For use in small businesses, it is advisable to mount the unit on a 4-wheel passenger car trailer. This will allow you to transport the device to places of recreation or public events.
It is advisable to install the XXL format device not on a trailer, but in the back of a small truck. The resulting design is called a smoker trailer and allows you to additionally transport firewood, dishes, folding furniture and other accessories.
Drawing of a smoker grill on a trailer
How to do the job safely?
Even if you are sure that the can is 100% empty and nothing comes out, do not make hasty decisions. There is a very high probability that critical drugs remain inside. In order to completely get rid of the poison, you need to pour out all the contents and fill with water, leaving for a day. And only after draining the water is it possible to get down to business. When performing any task you must always be careful. It is best to perform all actions away from houses where people live and in relatively dry weather.
Making handles and lids
The lid of a homemade barbecue is usually made at the stage of cutting the cylinder. It is also fastened first, after preparing and stripping the metal. The most difficult thing is to weld the hinges correctly so that the lid closes tightly. As a rule, they are attached at the very beginning, but the handles should be welded at the end. First you need to paint the grill, let it dry under a canopy, and only after that do the final decoration begin (Figure 6).
Figure 6. You can use your imagination when making additional elements
If you want your grill to be painted, you should first burn some wood in it. This will help remove any remaining gas from the inner surface and degrease it. Only after this the structure can be treated with heat-resistant paint.
What are the advantages of a gas cylinder grill?
The key “plus” is savings. Store-bought copies are slightly more expensive than homemade ones. Even if you don’t have the necessary equipment in your pantry, then look among your friends, because the item is quite common and many people collect dust in the garage, because not everyone knows about the methods of processing it into a useful item.
Consider a number of the following advantages:
- Ease of operation . People with basic skills, having equipment and markings, will be able to build a barbecue from a gas cylinder with their own hands.
- Functionality. With proper thought and inclusion of additional tools in the process, it is possible to make not only standard ones for barbecue, but also devices for grilling and smoking meat and fish. Instead of one function, you can get 3 at once.
- Reliability. Due to the fact that the cylinders are made from high quality steel, the barbecues will last for many years, even if they are used frequently.
- Convenience . Steel prevents burning, so you don't have to extinguish the coals.
- Variety of design . There are many design options: you can make it compact for carrying or large so that you can prepare a full dinner for the whole family at once.
Important! Even if we take average sizes, you can fry 3 times more meat in it, compared to a barbecue from a store.
What are the disadvantages of a gas cylinder grill?
Having a sufficient amount of advantages of making a barbecue with your own hands from a propane cylinder, it is worth noting the disadvantages, because every medal has a downside.
- Unpleasant view. If you work on the outside, you can get rid of peeling paint and make it more aesthetically pleasing. 90% of old cylinders look sloppy; you will have to work hard and try to bring them into good condition.
Important! When converting the cylinder, use heat-resistant paint to avoid burns. If you have to paint the grill, then additionally prepare a brush attachment for the drill and sprayer. There are paints that can withstand up to 800 degrees. This is important because standard inks can flare up when heated, causing the meat to fly out of the fryer. Before painting, do not forget to apply a primer coat. In the range of heat-resistant paints there are red, black, silver colors.
- If you take the process lightly and make mistakes, then all this will affect the effectiveness of the barbecue.
Important! Think through every detail in advance. If you do not follow the drawings, then the result will be the same. Take your time and don't try to finish as quickly as possible. You will spend only a few hours, but you will use it for many years.
Dangers
When making a grill from a regular cylinder, you need to take into account potential hazards that may affect the quality of the product, namely:
- Poorly performed welding work will certainly affect the strength of the grill. If you are not competent in this matter, it is best to use the services of experienced specialists.
- By using a heat-resistant coating for your product, you will significantly improve its aesthetic appearance.
- The finished structure will have an impressive weight, which will affect the ease of transportation.
Consider the above nuances when making your own barbecue.
How to make a grill yourself: video
Making a barbecue with your own hands from a gas cylinder is not the easiest thing, but if you have the necessary desire and all the tools, making this design will not be difficult. Basic knowledge and skills will be enough, but if you don’t have them, then it’s time to learn new skills. The most important thing is to take into account all the advice and follow the instructions and safety rules. After all, you must admit, it’s nice to sit on the shore of the lake, absorbing fresh air and eating tender kebab of your own making. In times like these, there is a desire to acquire your own design. Below is a video of a barbecue made from a gas cylinder with your own hands.
Dangers
When making a grill from a regular cylinder, you need to take into account potential hazards that may affect the quality of the product, namely:
- Poorly performed welding work will certainly affect the strength of the grill. If you are not competent in this matter, it is best to use the services of experienced specialists.
- By using a heat-resistant coating for your product, you will significantly improve its aesthetic appearance.
- The finished structure will have an impressive weight, which will affect the ease of transportation.
Consider the above nuances when making your own barbecue.
Question answer
- What should you do if you notice unpleasant odors after using the barbecue?
This problem is encountered quite often, and there is nothing terrible about it. To get rid of the unwanted odor, you need to burn the entire inside. This will not cause harm, but will help remove all existing odors.
- How dangerous is the grill? Can it cause a fire?
In order not to turn a pleasant vacation into an accident, you need to place the barbecue away from objects that are easily flammable and keep small children away from it. The ash that remains after kebabs can smolder for 24 hours.
- How many years can a homemade grill made from gas cylinders last?
If you treat it with care and follow the rules for use, a barbecue made from a gas cylinder with your own hands will last about 10-15 years on average.
- Is the grill heavy? Is it possible to move them and transport them anywhere?
Since even the sources themselves weigh quite a lot, the barbecues turn out to be many times heavier. If you are going to move, then prepare 2 wheels.
If you live in the city and are considering permanent transportation to the forest, make a more compact barbecue from a small cylinder, for example, a barbecue from a gas cylinder with your own hands.
The result of the work done is a multifunctional device for cooking meat and vegetables using several methods at once in one product, using it as a barbecue or smokehouse. If the meat is only fried on a purchased grill, then thanks to the unique capabilities of the grill, it will also be baked. The walls of the cylinder heat up perfectly, which makes it possible to cook food using even a small amount of coals, which gives even more opportunities to save. With a multifunctional barbecue, you can organize a mini-holiday and go out into nature at least every weekend.
Thus, a barbecue made from a gas cylinder with your own hands is an excellent and versatile structure that is even better than purchased analogues. Yes, of course, you can make a stand out of bricks or buy it in a store, but creating something unusual is much cooler. You can safely invite your friends to eat barbecue, because every man should be able to cook delicious meat. And cooking on your own grill is doubly better! Delight your family and loved ones with wonderful dishes prepared in such unique facilities!
Types of smoker grill
These installations can combine a different number of functions.
Smoker 3 in 1 - barbecue, grill and hot smoker.
There are two types of 3-in-1 devices - a two-chamber smoker and a two-level smoker.
In a two-chamber smoker, grilling and barbecuing are done in the main compartment. For smoking, the fire is lit in an additional container.
Double chamber smoker grill
The two-level smokehouse has two fireboxes and two grates located at different levels. To fry meat, firewood is placed on the upper grill; when smoking, the fire is lit in the lower firebox. This smokehouse is made from a barrel or a piece of large diameter pipe.
Two levels for cooking in a smoker grill smokehouse
Smoker grill 4 in 1 - grill, barbecue, smoker, oven under the cauldron
These are two-chamber devices in which the firebox is located vertically and is similar to a potbelly stove. Instead of a top lid, the stove has a burner for pots or a cauldron can be placed.
Thanks to these features, the device performs 4 functions:
- grill or barbecue - food and firewood in the main chamber, the lid is open;
- barbecue - fire and meat in the same place, lid closed;
- hot smoked smokehouse - fire in an additional stove, food on the grill, lid closed;
- cooking in a cauldron - only an additional stove is used.
Smoker grill 4 in 1: grill, barbecue, smoker and oven under the cauldron
Smoker grill 5 in 1 - grill, barbecue, cauldron oven, 2 smokers
The design of these devices is based on a 4-in-1 smokehouse. To expand functionality, it is complemented by a smoking chamber for cold smoking:
- The grill chamber is covered with a lid.
- The products are placed on grates in the second smokehouse.
- The fire is lit in an additional stove.
- The smoke, passing through the grill, cools and smokes the meat in a cold way.
Smoker grill with smoking chamber for cold smoking