Barbeque Grill From Old Garden Can!

A few days ago, I was sorting out old stuff to give away. I saw my old stainless steel watering can that I hadn't used in years! Suddenly, I got an idea that I just had to try out. I realised that watering cans have a very similar structure to "Dakota fire pits"(Don't worry, I'm gonna explain this).

So I decided to make a nice barbeque grill from it.

So here's how I did it! -

(note: All illustrations and diagrams used have been made by me)

• Old stainless steel watering can
• Metal cutters
• Pliers
• Metal file
• Drilling machine
• A round metal gauge.

So what is a Dakota fire pit? And how is a watering can gonna work?

• Dakota fire pits are one of the most efficient and well-designed fire-pit/furnace designs.
• It is a very simple structure that has a main burning pit and a pipe-like opening for fresh oxygen-rich air. It is dug into the ground. It is illustrated in the first image.
• When the fire burns, It heats the air and it rises.
• Because of this, cooler, oxygen-rich air is sucked in through the opening to fill the place of the hot air.
• This goes on continuously and the fire burns very hot for a very long time.
• As you can see, A watering can is almost exactly the same as a Dakota fire pit with respect to its structure.
• The body acts as the main shaft and the spout acts as the opening for fresh air.

So now that you know this, let's start building!!

• Before you start, ensure that your watering can is made of stainless steel. I wouldn't recommend using other metals as they will corrode when we actually use the grill. This will make the grill unsafe for cooking.
• Also, ensure that the can is not galvanised.
• Now that you've ensured that your grill is made up of stainless steel, go ahead and remove the handle and the top cover of the can.
• You can do it using simple pliers and a hacksaw.
• File off all sharp metal edges as they might hurt you later...
• Now clean the can thoroughly using soap, water and a good scrubber.

(Don't worry. My can is completely clean even if it doesn't look like it😄)

• While the spout might be enough, making extra holes will give us extra airflow. This means better burning.
• I recommend making about 10-20 holes at equal height. (Reduce the number if you're making larger holes and vice-versa.)
• You can increase/decrease the number of holes and the quality/rate of burning will change accordingly.
• Take a can or container roughly the height of the centre of the spout joint.
• Place a pencil on the container as shown and use it to mark a straight uniform line on the can.
• Use this line as a reference for drilling the holes.
• Drill holes about 2 inches apart on the entire circumference of the can.
• The holes can be as big as you like. I've made them about 1/2 cms in diameter.
• Erase the pencil line when you're done.

• Using a similar process as mentioned in the step before, mark a line at about 2/3rds the height of the can.
• Drill 3 or 4 equally spaced holes using the line as a reference.
• We will be using these holes to attach screws. So choose the size of bits accordingly.
• Erase the pencil line.

• Attach about 1 inch long screws in the holes that you drilled.
• Secure them using bolts and washers.
• These screws will be supporting our charcoal holder.

• You can use a round wire mesh that is easily available in any market. Choose the size carefully such that it fits perfectly on the screw supports.
• Unfortunately, I didn't find one of the right size. The one shown in the picture turned out to be a little too big.
• Hence, I made one from scratch! I used a wire mesh that I had lying around and made it into a round shape using wire cutters and pliers.
• I then attached it to a steel base for additional strength.
• That fit perfectly on my supports.

• I cut spaces on the top of the can so that the skewers could sit in it perfectly without slipping and falling.
• Cut 3-4 sets of spaces on opposite sides of the can such that each diagonally opposite pair is parallel to the others.
• File off the sharp metal edges to prevent any cuts and injuries.

• Use a file to smoothen all the drill holes and other remaining sharp surfaces.
• You can also paint the outer surface of the can. However, it will not last very long due to the heat.
• If you're going to paint, make sure if the paint used is food grade and non-toxic. If not, avoid using it altogether.

• Just light some charcoal and enjoy hassle-free grilling!