Post by ogeezer on Aug 29, 2007 16:55:34 GMT -6
Guess I could've presented this before now but it'll come in handy for that last big backyard cookout -- Easy Use Charcoal Starter Chimney
For this, you'll need:
-large coffee can or 1-gallon veggie tin can
-coat hanger (not plastic coated) or even some baling wire
-can opener
-needle nose pliers
-tin snips
-hammer
-some kind of punch or awl
STEP 1 -- You will need to turn the bottom of the can into a grate. Fire needs air, so, to ventilate the coals, use a punch-type (church-key) can opener to poke evenly spaced holes all around the edge of the can base. Twelve triangular holes will do the trick.
Take a nailset, punch or awl, and punch about halfway between the inner points of the twelve triangular holes. Then, punch one in the center, as well. Ream out the center hole with the pliers, until one jaw of the pliers can fit most of the way into the hole, as shown in the third picture. Work both jaws of the pliers into the center hole, making it a little bigger than the others.
Lastly, punch six more holes, using the same method, in a ring around the central hole. The finished grate is shown, from the inside out.
STEP 2 -- Air can't get to those nice holes you just made if you set the can on the bottom of the grill. Plus, there'd be no room for the paper. Using three flat steel straps (about 6" long) with pre-drilled holes, gotten from a hardware store, attach the metal straps to the can in three equi-distance locations around the circumference of the can using steel bolts and washers. You'll need about a 2-3" standoff between bottom of legs and bottom of the can for the apparatus to work properily. If this step seems too daunting, pieces of firebrick to set the charcoal can on will suffice.
STEP 3 -- Punch two holes (one on each side of the top portion of the can) on opposite sides. Shape the clothes hanger into a handle, inserting each end into one of the holes punched in the can. Fold wire back on itself. You should be able to fold the handle over, out of way and back with relative ease. If it does not fold easily, ream the openings slightly, and refit the wire handle.
USING THE CHARCOAL CHIMNEY -- Make sure you have a pot holder handy. Put paper between the legs (or brick batts), some charcoal in the can, and light it up! When the coals look red in some places, with a little ash showing, you can use the hot pad to dump them out into grille, and begin cooking.
For this, you'll need:
-large coffee can or 1-gallon veggie tin can
-coat hanger (not plastic coated) or even some baling wire
-can opener
-needle nose pliers
-tin snips
-hammer
-some kind of punch or awl
STEP 1 -- You will need to turn the bottom of the can into a grate. Fire needs air, so, to ventilate the coals, use a punch-type (church-key) can opener to poke evenly spaced holes all around the edge of the can base. Twelve triangular holes will do the trick.
Take a nailset, punch or awl, and punch about halfway between the inner points of the twelve triangular holes. Then, punch one in the center, as well. Ream out the center hole with the pliers, until one jaw of the pliers can fit most of the way into the hole, as shown in the third picture. Work both jaws of the pliers into the center hole, making it a little bigger than the others.
Lastly, punch six more holes, using the same method, in a ring around the central hole. The finished grate is shown, from the inside out.
STEP 2 -- Air can't get to those nice holes you just made if you set the can on the bottom of the grill. Plus, there'd be no room for the paper. Using three flat steel straps (about 6" long) with pre-drilled holes, gotten from a hardware store, attach the metal straps to the can in three equi-distance locations around the circumference of the can using steel bolts and washers. You'll need about a 2-3" standoff between bottom of legs and bottom of the can for the apparatus to work properily. If this step seems too daunting, pieces of firebrick to set the charcoal can on will suffice.
STEP 3 -- Punch two holes (one on each side of the top portion of the can) on opposite sides. Shape the clothes hanger into a handle, inserting each end into one of the holes punched in the can. Fold wire back on itself. You should be able to fold the handle over, out of way and back with relative ease. If it does not fold easily, ream the openings slightly, and refit the wire handle.
USING THE CHARCOAL CHIMNEY -- Make sure you have a pot holder handy. Put paper between the legs (or brick batts), some charcoal in the can, and light it up! When the coals look red in some places, with a little ash showing, you can use the hot pad to dump them out into grille, and begin cooking.