Why a balloon?
Despite the apparent advantages of a purchased brazier, the metal in it quickly burns out from systematic heating. Thin metal sheets become too brittle, causing holes to grow and the seams of the box to fall apart. A thick sheet of metal of the required size is too expensive, even in a metal collection center, and a scrapped propane or oxygen cylinder can be purchased for pennies. In addition, the wall thickness, even of small-sized cylinders, exceeds 3 mm. This is enough to create a full-fledged barbecue.
Advantages and disadvantages
In addition to the low price, a barbecue made from a gas cylinder has many more advantages:
- Ease of manufacture. To construct a structure, a careful study of the drawings and the presence of minimal skills is sufficient.
- Duration of operation. The thick-walled container can withstand sufficient pressure and decent temperatures. It does not deform or burn out, which significantly extends its service life.
- Immunity to atmospheric disasters. The roasting pan can be left without a cover; it is not afraid of snow and rain.
- Functionality. The design can serve as a smokehouse, grill or barbecue.
The disadvantages of this design include heavy weight, significant dimensions, and little space for placing logs. Although, instead of firewood, you can use coal.
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.
Types of barbecues
The simplest option is an open fryer, which does not have a lid and many functionality. However, if desired, you can build a more complex multifunctional roaster.
B-B-Q
The side wall of the cylinder is partially cut off and the hinges are fixed. It turns out to be a kind of stove with a fire chamber door. A metal mesh is placed inside, intended for laying out the prepared products.
Grill
In fact, this is the same barbecue, but equipped with a lid. This allows food to be fried, smoked, or baked. Thanks to the lid, the same temperature is maintained in each part of the cylinder.
Brazier
The classic grill differs from the barbecue in its rectangular shape. Considering the rounded design of the cylinder, all stoves made from it are considered barbecue grills at the same time. It all depends on the tool that will be placed over the coals: a skewer or a grill.
Smokehouse
It is distinguished by the presence of a separately located firebox and absolute tightness. Half of the bottom of the cylinder is cut off, and a firebox is welded to the resulting hole, which is constructed from a pipe of the appropriate diameter. A piece of pipe is welded at the top to remove smoke. Before use, such a smokehouse must be calcined at least twice.
Smoker
It is one of the most complex structures that combines the functions of all of the listed types of braziers. For production you will have to use 2 cylinders of different sizes. After carefully studying the drawings of various designs, you need to choose the one that is suitable for a particular case.
Dimensions of a cylinder grill
Depends on the dimensions of the cylinder used. Considering that the skewers will be laid perpendicular to the structure, you need to make sure there is enough space for the meat. Typically, 50-liter containers are used, the diameter of which is 96 cm. Accordingly, a barbecue from a gas cylinder will have the following dimensions:
- width – about 32 cm;
- length – equal to 96 cm;
- height – 30 cm + height of legs.
This is quite enough to cook kebabs for 6 people. Considering that the length of the working part of the skewer is 40-60 cm, the gap between the support points should be 4-6 cm less than these indicators.
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.
Drawings and diagrams of barbecues from a cylinder
A fairly simple structure will not require a detailed design, but a small drawing will have to be drawn. When developing a drawing, take into account:
- external and technical condition of the container;
- dimensions;
- parameters, location of holes;
- skewers sizes;
- type of future barbecue;
- proposed finishing;
- additional elements (hooks, stoppers, handles, folding table, etc.).
Marking a 50 liter cylinder
This diagram will help determine the amount of materials required and plan the connection of individual components. To avoid mistakes in future work, do not neglect this stage.
Below you can see drawings with dimensions of the most popular designs.
What to make barbecue supports from
Any materials that can be found on the farm are suitable for supports:
- metal corners;
- profiled, round pipes;
- strips of thick steel;
- fittings
Drawing of a stand with lodgements
To make a mobile structure, small pieces of fittings are welded to the brazier, onto which pieces of pipe of the appropriate diameter are placed.
DIY gas cylinder grill step by step
After getting acquainted with the general information, we will consider step by step how to make a barbecue from a gas cylinder. Remember, work is carried out with an explosive product, and requires strict adherence to the prescribed safety measures. When starting to build a barbecue, you need to prepare:
- old 50-liter cylinder;
- welding machine;
- grinder;
- electric drill;
- spanners;
- metal pipe;
- rivets;
- pens;
- loops.
Following the described plan, you can make an excellent barbecue without any problems. The main thing is to have minor skills in working with tools.
Preparing the balloon
This is the most critical stage that requires precautions. First, the remaining gas is removed, then the condensate is disposed of. The cylinder is carefully opened using a gas key and the gas is released. This will take quite a lot of time. A saturated soap solution will help determine the completion of the process. Apply it liberally around the valve. If no bubbles form, the gas has escaped.
Let's get started
First you need to get rid of the remaining gas. Even taking into account the fact that this may be a cylinder that has been empty for several years, there is most likely gas in there.
In some videos of making a barbecue from a gas cylinder with your own hands, this fact is missed, but it is very important, because health should always come first.
Read here - How to make a cage for a chinchilla - a step-by-step master class on making and arranging a house for chinchillas (115 photos)
«>
In order to remove all the gas, you must first pour out the liquid residues. Next, it’s worth drilling a few holes with a hand drill, since after the pressure is lowered, there is still gas left in the cylinder, and if you use an angle grinder, the cylinder can even explode.
Next, we purge the balloon for some time to finally get rid of the gas. The smell of gas remains even after blowing, so you can ignore it, because even after burning it remains.
