How to Build a Propane Tank Barbecue
If you appreciate the taste of barbecued meat, you know there is no substitute for a high-quality grill. Many of these grills are expensive, but you can build your own using an empty propane fuel tank. With the right recipe, your cooked meat will taste like it came from a $20,000 smoker.
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Things You'll Need
- Drill
- Empty propane fuel tank
- Dry ice
- Water
- Bleach
- Two or three metal cooking grates
- Small metal basket
- 1/2-inch bolts
Instructions
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1
Pull the lid off of the fuel tank and fill the tank with dry ice. Allow the tank to sit for one week. The carbon dioxide from the dry ice will sink to the bottom of the tank and push out any lingering propane fumes.
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2
Drill several holes in the lid of the fuel tank to serve as exhaust vents. The number of holes depends on your personal preference.
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3
Mix a 50/50 solution of water and bleach. Fill the tank with the solution, then drain it.
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4
Drill three holes around the perimeter 25 inches up from the bottom of the tank. Insert three 1/2-inch bolts in the holes to act as a platform for one of your barbecue grates.
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5
Measure 8 inches above the first grate and drill three more holes in the perimeter of the fuel tank. Install the second grate.
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6
Drill four holes in the bottom of the tank to allow air to flow into your charcoal. Load the metal basket with charcoal, lower it into the bottom of the tank and light it. Load meat onto the two cooking grates and put the lid on the fuel tank.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not use tanks that once contained petroleum-based fuels; the fuel permeates the metal and will always be present. These tanks can also explode as you are cutting them.
