An
oil drum BBQ is a common do-it-yourself building project for many barbecue
enthusiasts. These grills are heavy-duty (when properly constructed)
and are often passed down from one generation to the next. Many people
have oil drum grills that are over 50 years old and are still working
as well as they did they day they were built.
The primary components needed for building an oil drum BBQ are an oil
drum, some angle iron (or similar material) and some kind of metal grate
for use as a grilling surface. The oil drum should be as rust free as
possible, which means it might take some extensive searching in order
to find one in a workable condition. Once a drum has been located, it
will need to be cut in half length-wise. It is highly recommend that
you find someone with the proper tools and no-how to do this part of
the process for you. Finally, the two halves will need to be joined
on one side using some heavy duty hinges, which will create a “clamshell”
design, allowing the lid to be easily opened and closed.
Stage two for building an oil drum BBQ is to build the frame. It is
highly recommended that the frame be built from a heavy, metal material.
Angle iron works quite well for this application. The frame should be
designed as a rectangle, with the interior large enough for the oil
drum to sit securely, but small enough so that the drum doesn’t
fall through. Once the frame is built, legs will need to be attached.
The legs should be securely welded to the frame, and the use of some
additional cross beams between the legs is recommended for stability.
The length of the legs is determined by how high you want the grill
to be situated.
Once the frame and legs have been assembled, the oil drum should be
seated inside. While it is possible for a properly constructed frame
to securely hold the drum without any reinforcement, it is sometimes
recommend that a few small welds be used to ensure the drum doesn’t
move during use. This is an important safety precaution that should
not be overlooked.
An essential element of any oil drum BBQ is the grilling surface itself.
These can be created from any number of metal grate or mesh materials.
If you choose not to create a lid for your barbecue, than the metal
mesh can be cut slightly wider than the grill, and then the edges bent
downwards. This can then be simply placed over the top of the half-barrel.
However, if you choose to make a lid, the grilling surface will have
to be cut to fit inside the barrel, which will need to have some small
L-shaped brackets welded inside to hold the metal grate material. In
either case, the material used should be heavy-duty enough to withstand
the extreme temperatures needed for cooking. Steel or cast iron is often
recommended.
Once completed, an oil drum BBQ can be the focal point for any weekend
or holiday party. A homemade barbecue is often a source of pride for
the owner, and can be used for decades if properly maintained.
