If you want to buy a folding barbecue, then you can think about the possibility of its manufacture. Despite the fact that on sale today you can find similar designs of a wide variety of dimensions and shapes, such models are quite expensive. Whereas if you prefer cheap options, then, as practice shows, they do not last long enough.
Preparation of materials
In order to make a folding barbecue, you will need to purchase sheet steel. The one that has a thickness of 2 millimeters will go to the formation of the sides. Whereas 3 mm steel will be used for the bottom of the structure. It will take steel bars, the length of which should be equal to 20 millimeters. They will be used to make legs. Get nuts that will act as a foot mount. Standard furniture hinges are also needed, with the help of which it will be possible to fix the sides to the bottom.
Tool preparation
Folding barbecue can not be made without the use of reinforced scissors designed for metal work. A grinder, as well as a tape measure, will come in handy. The master will not be able to do without a drill, a square and a ruler.
Sizing
Of course, the more impressive dimensions of the barbecue will make it possible to cook a larger amount of meat at a time, but it is worth considering the moment that this design will be folding. Therefore, it is best to choose sizes that allow you to conveniently transport the device in the trunk of a car. Experts do not recommend choosing an oversized case. Due to the fact that the standard length of the skewer is 70 cm, it is still not worth making the brazier too wide. The following are the most suitable dimensions: 50x30x15 cm. It is such a case that can be easily positioned in the trunk for transportation without special difficulties.
The key to success will be the selection of a suitable sheet of steel. Excessively thin walls and the bottom will quickly burn out. Thick ones will make the structure heavier, making it inconvenient for carrying and transporting. The most optimal option for the bottom is steel, the thickness of which should be equal to 3 millimeters.
Work on the body
If you decide to make a folding barbecue, then after choosing the sizes you can proceed to the practical part. At the same time, it is important to take up the case, its assembly involves at the first stage cutting a sheet of tin, from which a workpiece with dimensions of 34x54 cm should be cut. The resulting element must be bent at the sides, 4 cm away from the edges. This component will represent the bottom. Now you can cut two sides, the dimensions of which are 50x15 cm. Whereas the other two side elements should have dimensions of 30x15 cm. Long sides should be fixed to the previously bent part using furniture hinges. Awnings can be welded or strengthened with screws. Now it is worth tackling the short walls in which the slots are made, and after that the metal is bent. This will allow to obtain fasteners for these sides.
Specialist advice
When making a folding brazier with your own hands, you should prepare a rectangle with the help of plywood or plastic, the dimensions of which should be slightly smaller than the bottom. This rectangle should be laid on the bottom of the grill, and then use it as a fan to pump air. An improvised fan prepared in this way will need to be transported along with the barbecue.
Making legs
If you make a folding brazier with your own hands, then at the next stage you can do the legs. 4 pieces should be cut from a thick rod. Their length will depend on what height should be given to the barbecue. Thread should be cut at one end of the rods. The other end is sharpened. This will allow you to easily immerse the legs in the soil.
The folding brazier should turn out to be as convenient as possible during operation, so it is important to provide for the moment that if you do not make restrictions at the ends of the legs, they will go too deep into the ground. In order to eliminate this point, short longitudinal sections of rods should be welded on each leg. On the bottom of the case, nuts should be welded to the outside corners. The legs will be installed in them. On the long sides of the barbecue, you need to drill holes. They will contribute to uniform heating of coals. In some cases, such holes are made in the bottom, while they are located closer to the edge. In order to provide convenient carrying of the brazier, one handle can be welded to each long side wall.
Bottom and wall treatment
When a folding grill is made of metal, it is important to think about the durability of the structure. For this, the walls should be treated with paint, which has heat-resistant characteristics. Performing this procedure yourself is quite simple. You can use a dye that is used to treat car mufflers. You can purchase such material in an auto parts store. A similar composition is able to undergo temperatures up to 800 degrees. In order to extend the life of the metal, it should be defended. To do this, you will need to purchase a heat-resistant black film. At the next stage, the barbecue is disassembled, a heat-resistant film is peeled off, and liquid sodium is also dissolved in water. In this solution, all elements are boiled for an hour and a half.
Conclusion
If you make a folding brazier with your own hands, drawings can be prepared independently, using as an example the drawing presented in the article. This will allow you to work as correctly as possible, even if you choose other dimensions, guided by your preferences. First of all, it is important to calculate the length of the legs, which will determine the height of the structure. In this case, be guided by the growth of the person who most often cooks meat with the help of a self-made barbecue.