Re-purposed Air Tank Camp/Tailgate Grill

I just figured I'd share a little project I've been working on the last 2 weeks. I had this old portable air tank that was collecting dust and had the idea to make a camp grill out of it. It was just something I could do while I don't have parts for my cafe racer that I'm building. Good welding practice also.

I started with this old air tank and marked a line around the long axis.

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Then I got to cutting. I also removed the handle as I would need to relocate on a 45 for the lid of the grill.



Then I stripped the paint



After it was stripped I marked and cut the hole in the top for the stack. I just used a piece of 1 1/2" chain link fence pipe for the stack.



After I got it just right I welded her up. I also fab'd a lid for the stack, welded a short piece of 1/4" all thread and added a stainless cap nut to secure it.



After that I turned my attention to the grating on the inside. I welded some strips of 1/2" angle as a rest for the grating. I just used expanded metal from Lowes and trimmed to fit.



I then placed and tacked my hinges to the bottom half. I used round bar stock, heated it up and bent to a 90. Then cut to fit.



After that I flipped her over and used the leftover hinge pipe for the legs. Measured, then tacked, then finished the weld.



I added a smaller piece of expanded metal that was a heavier gauge to put the coals on. It was just scrap I had laying around. I'm concerned about how close the food will be to the coals but I can always cook on indirect heat. We'll find out if this all works eventually haha.



I then welded the top half of the grill to the hinge. I added a little stop so in the picture below this is as far as the grill will open.



This is where I'm at. Welded the handle back on and finished another beer. I'm going to wrap the handle with wood like your typical grill handle.



Next step is 2x2 square tubing and mounting this on the hidden hitch. This will require some sort of swing away or folding apparatus that I've still yet to decide on. Stay tuned, if anything I have a small picnic table grill

 

This is what I'm thinking so far. For the time being I think we will use this as a picnic table grill primarily. The stub coming off of the grill needs to be as short as possible so that the grill wont roll over backwards. I haven't decided on the distance from the truck yet.

 

Good work. I made a larger one out of an old water tank. My mistake was in not allowing adequate ventilation for intake. Still haven't figured out how I want to fix it. I will be watching this thread for ideas.

 

Thanks guys!
About the ventilation I was hoping I could do something very similar to a regular charcoal grill. Place it down low on the bottom half at the opposite end of the stack. Something like this.....



I dunno though. I've also thought about a slot in the end with a sliding door that doubles as a clean-out. Still up in the air and open for suggestions.

 

I used 3" square tubing for the chimney and another piece with a sliding gate for the intake. That has proven to be inadequate--the fire goes out. I am thinking about adding some more holes near the bottom along the back, but haven't decided how to regulate them.

 

Looking good!

 

This is good to know. I'm hoping that four will be enough. With it being so small I would think it would be. Only one way to find out

Thanks!

 

cool grill!

 

Tagging this thread in Food Smokers and Smoking Tips/Tricks/Techniques, you'll get lots of good advice.