Building my own gas grill...

[StumpXJ]

Anybody got some pics they want to share of bbq grills they have built? I personally am going to build a gas grill, for the sake of convenience. I have the skills, tools and ability, but was hoping to find some do's and dont's online of those who have done the same. Looking for some guidelines if you will. Burner placement, venting, shielding, etc etc.

I have done a fair amount of research, but most of what I am coming up with is referring to built in units, where the cooker itself is store bought. I am not building an outdoor cooking 'station' but just the grill itself. Im tired of buying the cheap **** most box stores sell as grills, the metal is so thin they only last a few years, even if cleaned after each use. I also dont have the cash to drop $900 bucks on something better like a Weber. I can however spend a couple hundred on materials to do it myself. Not looking really at a HUGE unit on a trailer, or something to cook a hog on, just a heavy duty version of a Charbroil... I know I can build this for cheaper than I can buy one of a similar stoutness.

I would assume charcoal grills have similar build properties? Such as optimum venting placement, etc. So, pics and info of charcoal grills would be helpful too...

Thanks, ~ Stump

 

[Strouty]

Headline Decatur, GA:

Man sets himself on fire after using homemade gas grill, full story at six.

JK,

I have seen people take the grill part and make a new base or counter for it, but not a whole grill. I would find a donor grill and use that as the basis for your grill. Keep us posted, it sounds like it could be a fun project.

 

[slopecarver]

I agree, current grills are **** and one can light himself on fire with a new one just as easily as with an older one. In fact lighter access/ igniter setup will likely be better designed to reduce gas buildup while the damn sparker doesn't work. Think stun gun! The first thing to go in any grill i've owned is the burner so you might consider doing that part yourself. Big propane tanks or compressor tanks would work well I bet or if you want one to last longer than you look into welding one up with plates of stainless.

 

[jtbinvalrico]

I'm a wood/charcoal man myself......I like my present grill, but the metal is thin and won't last...so I'm just going to use it as a model when I fab a new one out of some real steel.

I don't see why you couldn't do the same....just take the burners and piping from a grill you like and make a new shell

 

[boseefus402]

I would get either a brand new one, or an old one and rob the burners, controls, and regulators out of it. It's on my "one day" pile when I redo the backyard.

 

[StumpXJ]

Yeah, most places sell replacement burners and appropriate plumbing, controls etc. I plan to buy all of that, and will get some quality stuff. Thats not a problem, I was just more concerned (concerned?) with the placement of everything, burner cover/drip plate design, venting etc.

I essentially will be using 11 gauge steel for the shell of it. It'll be heavy as heck, but once its on the deck, who cares. Just putting this feeler out to see if anyone else has done it to give me any tips before I screw it up. If I am going to be the guinea pig, thats ok, but have a hard time believing no one else has done it. You know what they say, if you can think of it, its already been done.

Maybe I will just search around the interwebs for good grill pictures and copy copy copy.

In the mean time if I hit the lottery, ill just buy a viking.

 

[amt]

I have not done it before, but I would look for cast stainless or brass burners. Have a look here: http://www.gasgrillsnow.com/BurnerComparison.htm

 

[StumpXJ]

I have not done it before, but I would look for cast stainless or brass burners. Have a look here: http://www.gasgrillsnow.com/BurnerComparison.htm

Thats a cool link, thanks for sharing. I guess its safe to assume that Weber is on the low end of high end grills, and on the upper end of low end grills. Had no idea even their burners were that thin.

After checking out a few You tube vids, I may end up making some burner rails. Or atleast copying some with a beefier material.


~ Stump

 

[BADSIX]

i belong to a local car club and we built a bbq thats on wheels. its large 4 people can cook on it at the same time. its all s/s and has cast iron burners, these are what you want. they came out of a restrant grill. check to see if you can find a used restrant supply place near you. we picked up 10 of these for a 100.00 they work perfect check out traeger bbq grills these are the best, i would like to build one of these

 

[jayrush13]

i belong to a local car club and we built a bbq thats on wheels. its large 4 people can cook on it at the same time. its all s/s and has cast iron burners, these are what you want. they came out of a restrant grill. check to see if you can find a used restrant supply place near you. we picked up 10 of these for a 100.00 they work perfect check out traeger bbq grills these are the best, i would like to build one of these

Traegers use to be nice until they shipped production off to china and jacked up the prices

Mak Grills are the way to go now

 

[ibedayank]

stumpXJ they do sell replacement burners for cheap then just snag some valves and regulator and build your own grill body

 

[StumpXJ]

stumpXJ they do sell replacement burners for cheap then just snag some valves and regulator and build your own grill body

Yep. Thats what I plan to do.

Thanks, ~ Stump

 

[raley]

Just looking at all the other grills online, the lid doesn't need to be that thick (so it will be alil lighter to lift) its mainly just the tub that needs to be beefed up.

 

[Ohio Auto]

My goal: I wanna take an older car...chop it off behind the rear seat and make a grill out of the trunk area....using the trunk deck as the lid. Leave the rear tires on it and fabricate some type of hitch to move it around.

 

[ibedayank]

My goal: I wanna take an older car...chop it off behind the rear seat and make a grill out of the trunk area....using the trunk deck as the lid. Leave the rear tires on it and fabricate some type of hitch to move it around.

YUCK undercoating/paint tasting food

make one that looks like a car truck from 3/16s or 1/4 plate...last 10x longer and no chemical taste
maybe better idea?

 

[ibedayank]

Raley thicker metal holds temps easier and more even

 

[GirlnAgarage]

This build is exactly what I was planning to do as well. Though I'm still planning my wood bbq pit. Wonder if they can be built together?

Anyway, just subscribing. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product. Picking up replacement parts to bolt in to the body looks like the way to go.

 

[Ohio Auto]

YUCK undercoating/paint tasting food

make one that looks like a car truck from 3/16s or 1/4 plate...last 10x longer and no chemical taste
maybe better idea?

Work with me here..I'm talking a high end fab. job. Gut the inside of the trunk and install state of the art stainless steel panels and grates.

 

[D KRAGER]

Here's a pic of one me and a buddy made for our old pontoon boat.

Pretty easy really, just get the regulator, hoses and control valves from an old junk grill. Buy a new burner and some grates and you're good to go.

 

[lilredex]

This is one I made in 1982......still going strong.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us


It was pieced together with 1/8" scrap yard steel of various widths, resulting in a minimum of cutting. The welding was intermitent, just enough to hold it together. The corners were fully welded and contoured round. Also made the burner and controls with some 1/8" pipe. About the only thing I bought were the grill racks (and the shut off valves), got them in the surplus dept. of Princess Auto..........that's actually what got me going on the idea of building one.

Would I do it again today? Probably not.........there were not all the "fixer uppers" laying around then, as there are today.

 

[ibedayank]

Work with me here..I'm talking a high end fab. job. Gut the inside of the trunk and install state of the art stainless steel panels and grates.

we talking MG or 60s lincoln size?

so bbq fitted in the truck... not redkneck style..yes thats been down down here and no not by me

 

[Ohio Auto]

we talking MG or 60s lincoln size?

so bbq fitted in the truck... not redkneck style..yes thats been down down here and no not by me

I'm talking something iconic from the fifties with a HUGE trunk.

Make it into a trailer...put a stainless steel fridge on the front...go to some car shows etc...and sell some barbque.

 

[NASTYZEN]

Here's mine.....well someone else s. You can buy the burners and cast grills then build around them or put em the back of a caddy or something.

 

[bauschracing]

Well I am not going to build a grill from scratch but my wife's american bulldog has marked his area on the stainless steel grill so much that the plain metal used on the back and sides have rotted away. I plan on making a new base out of 2 inch square tubing and diamond plate.
With good paint, it should last sometime and give me another reason to weld. The grill is a W.C. Bradley and the home office is local with a great repair network, so the grill will be able to be repaired.

Thanks for the thread

Mike

 

[StumpXJ]

Here's mine.....well someone else s. You can buy the burners and cast grills then build around them or put em the back of a caddy or something.

Holy ****. Thats some nice work!

Been gathering info and parts, build should be done by memorial day weekend. Will post pics then.

~ Stump

 

[AndyA]

Here is a griddle I built. The burners are built from scratch. It's actually not that difficult.

See http://nanosleep.dyndns.org/griddle for the build info (assuming my crappy home webserver stays up)

 

[lilredex]

Here is a griddle I built. The burners are built from scratch. It's actually not that difficult.

See http://nanosleep.dyndns.org/griddle for the build info (assuming my crappy home webserver stays up)

Welcome, and thanks for posting that grill. It has given me an idea that I may convert that BBQ (above) to a grill, as I have some 1/16" or so SS looking for a new home. Looks like you got things right.......I love the colour of your burner flame.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

We had some posts years ago, on an Engine block looking grill. If I ever built one, that is what I would want to do.


Although it might cause me to get hungry when driving or working on a motor.

 

[lilredex]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0375751408/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[A_Pmech]

Here is a griddle I built. The burners are built from scratch. It's actually not that difficult.

See http://nanosleep.dyndns.org/griddle for the build info (assuming my crappy home webserver stays up)

I like it! Nicely done.

 

[traction]

I was well on my way to making my own...I posted a wanted ad on craigslist for burners and such. I ended up getting a full Thermador 48 inch cooktop, four gas burner drop ins, salamander, refridgerator, and cabinet fronts, all in stainless...much better than I ever could have bought.

They were from a rather large home with a built in outdoor kitchen. I will definitely admit that this bbq turned out tons better than I could have made. The pricing on the Thermador stuff is insane.

 

[StumpXJ]

Well... I too caved in. I was looking for parts on Craigslist and came up with this:

I got it for $100 BUCKS!

A little old man had it, and was afraid of it when one of the burners would not work properly. Someone over rotated one of the knobs and damaged the valve/manifold. He cooked on it once.

I have ordered the manifold, and it will be here shortly. A grand total of $210.00. Its well built, and weighs about 200 pounds. Granite counter tops, ball bearing drawer slides... the whole nine. 304 stainless.

I couldnt come close to building some even half as nice for twice the money.

 

[neonnblack]

I would rather have that for a home thing anyways save the cool trunk bbq for on the road trips

 

[nperkins]

Well... I too caved in. I was looking for parts on Craigslist and came up with this:

I got it for $100 BUCKS!

A little old man had it, and was afraid of it when one of the burners would not work properly. Someone over rotated one of the knobs and damaged the valve/manifold. He cooked on it once.

I have ordered the manifold, and it will be here shortly. A grand total of $210.00. Its well built, and weighs about 200 pounds. Granite counter tops, ball bearing drawer slides... the whole nine. 304 stainless.

I couldnt come close to building some even half as nice for twice the money.

Yup... Thats a definite YOU ****!

 

[StumpXJ]

Yup... Thats a definite YOU ****!

For sure, it was a score.

I even did a screen capture of the original ad before they deleted it, no one believed me when I told them how much I paid for it....LOL.

 

[burgertarp]

Here is a griddle I built. The burners are built from scratch. It's actually not that difficult.
See http://nanosleep.dyndns.org/griddle for the build info (assuming my crappy home webserver stays up)

Hi Andy. I enjoyed your page about building your own griddle. I'm running a pancake breakfast at our local airport and am interested in building something similar. Can you describe the venturi in the jet area a little more? Do you have any pics of that? I notice on many grills it is adjustable. How did you accomplish that?

Thanks!

 

[zjrog]

I keep saying someday I'm going to build my 4 burner grill into a rolling chassis with sink and counter... Add a 26" top box for grill utensils and have some fun.

 

[superduty59]

I would like to build a 4 burner heavy stainless grill. So many cheap quality grills out there. I'm done buying junk. Cast iron burners or black pipe. Quality and adjustable regulator. Nice control valves. I think I could build for less than $150. I've even saw on built out of an old hot water heater. It had some thick steel.

 

[onewaydave]

Simple would be some black pipe with small ports drilled along its length. Just use it to start the wood. Kind of like fire place starters common in the 50-80s. I'm sur some gov'mt agency has since outlawed them since.

SS vs mild steel. Mild steel because, if it corrodes through every 10 years or so, you get a new grill every 10 years or so. That way you can always be happy and looking forward to the next one with planning and fun.

Dave.

 

[raddksn]

I have a weber 3 burner for 12 years replaced grates,ignighter, and flaverizer bars, burners are still going strong. Burners,valves,grates and all other parts are easy to find and common on the web for weber grills for future replasment.