It would seem that what else could an old automatic washing machine that has completely broken down be useful for?
Wait and don't rush to throw it away. After all, you can make a wonderful barbecue from the drum, and it's very easy to make.
Yes, there are many disposable grills available now and they are easy to buy in almost any store, but don't jump to conclusions.
The benefits of a homemade barbecue
A washing machine drum is ideal for a barbecue grill, as it's made of high-strength stainless steel, which withstands high temperatures and corrosion. This grill can be left outdoors without worrying about its safety. Furthermore, stainless steel, being corrosion-resistant, is a hygienic material and requires no additional treatment. The drum is lightweight enough that, with the addition of small legs, it can be easily transported, creating a portable barbecue. Its design also features numerous small holes that allow air to circulate freely and heat the grill faster. This also saves on firewood or charcoal.
As you can see, this grill has a lot of advantages.
Good to know: drums also come in different sizes for different machines, and you can find the size that's most convenient for you on the used market.
Let's look at several options for making a do-it-yourself barbecue for your summer house.
Making a barbecue grill from a drum with your own hands
You will need…
- Drill.
– Hacksaw or grinder.
- Pliers.
– An angle grinder or a metal saw.
- Marker, tape measure.
- Tubes for legs.
Process
Step one:
Cut a round hole at the top of the drum and use a hacksaw to trim the edges so there are no sharp ends or unevenness.
Step two:
We cut the legs from the pipes to the required height and weld them to the bottom of the tank so that the grill stands stable.
That's all there is to it, and there's nothing complicated about its creation, as the drum in its natural state is already ideal for kindling; it can only be further improved. And here, everyone has their own ideas.
Suggestions for improving the barbecue
For example, if the drum is too large, you can cut it into two parts and insert one into the other, thus reducing the size of the grill and preserving heat loss.
For skewers, you can add holes at the top for bolts of about 10 mm and attach metal corners to the top edge, which will allow you to lay the skewers evenly.
You can make a barbecue out of a grill
...by adding three or four small pipes to the top and welding a grate to them.
The design of the legs can be improved; for example, some models have a factory-made hole with which the drum was attached to the body of the washing machine.
This hole can be widened and threaded pipes can be added to the end. A rotating tripod can also be made, which will allow the coals to burn much better as they rotate, thanks to the holes.
Various types of adjustable grates and shelves can be added to the top by bolting the grate to a metal rod. The rod is inserted into a pre-welded pipe with a nut and secured with a bolt. Now the grate or shelf can be adjusted in height and rotated.
The hole at the top of the drum does not have to be round, it can also be rectangular, for example, then add two steel corners using screws as a stand for the grill.
You don't have to bother with the grill at all; you can simply weld a large pipe to the bottom that will hold the grill securely, and bury the end deep in the ground.
You can also decorate the leg with forged elements. Cut a pipe to the required size, and use a refrigerator compressor as a ground stand, after trimming off any unnecessary parts and finishing the surface.
Drill one large hole in the center of the cover and three around the perimeter. These blanks must be protected from rust with special compounds. Weld the pipe to the compressor; the seams can be cleaned with a grinder for a more polished look.
If the drum already came with a crosspiece, then our construction of a pipe and a stand can be placed on the crosspiece rod and attached with bolts through the three holes that were made earlier.
All that's left is to weld on the legs for aesthetics. The drum holders can also be made of forged elements, as it's quite lightweight. You can also add skewer holders to this design right away.
Afterword
As you can see, creating a barbecue grill yourself from an old washing machine drum is quite simple, as the drum seems designed to be the perfect grill. Moreover, you can customize it to your needs, whether it's a practical feature like height adjustment or adding decorative details. Ideal for use in a summer house or on the go, it can last for over ten years, making it extremely useful.
