Making a above ground firepit/grill?

[William Joy]

Looking for ideas to make an above ground "fire pit/ grill.Could use some ideas or photos!

 

[paulvallandigham]

Permanent structure, or temporary? If you want a permanent, brick and mortar " grill", there are all kinds of plans, and designs available from architecture magazines. There are even books out on patio and BBQ grills.

If you are looking for something that is portable, or something you can build on site, when you camp, those are a bit more difficult. At least tell us what you are thinking, and about what size you are wanting the grill to be. What kind of material are you wanting to use for the grill surface? Will you be using wood, or charcoal for the " grill's fuel?

 

[William Joy]

Temporary! Want to be able to take it when the only possible fire allowed is above ground.
I was thinking along the lines of a metal grill like fire pit approx 25 inch by 12 inch and 10 inch above ground. Suitable for woodfires, cooking, grilling... and has the be acceptable for rondevouz...

 

[Rogue River]

Use an old washing machine tub, the ones with the little holes all around it. Weld some short pipe for legs or set on 3 rocks. An old round weber grill fits perfect. Not very PC but one great grill for the steaks and great for warmth!

 

[mckutzy]

a cutoff propane bottle would be all right it would have a base and a nice size to cook on, but nothing for the traditional sense.

 

[pichou]

A plain harrow disc set up on stones.

 

[CARBABY]

I asked similiar question in the past. Check past hitory files "NO FIRE RINGS!" under Camp Gear.

 

[paulvallandigham]

I have a grill with folding legs that puts it about 8 inches off the ground, or whatever surface. The grill is about 1 foot by 18 inches in rectangular shape. It goes with me to rendizvous, and primitive camps. I also use fire pits, and trenches, because I can put out the fire, and roll back the sod, and wet it all down, to restore the ground cover to what it was when I arrived. I a week or two- less if it rains well- you can find where the fire pit was located. In fact, my " grill " has seen more use as a trivet- holding hot pots and pans off the fire place, than use as an actual grill. Check the catalogues of the suppliers. to see if they don't have something that does it for you. I found mine at Friendship, and bought it there, from some dealer. I have also seen guys use steel grates, with various sized holes, that they pick up in junk yards, and scrap yards for pennies, for their grills. The lay out aluminum foil if they want to cook directly on the grill, rather than heat a separate pan, but it works. Cut the grates to the size you want to haul around.

 

[chipper]

I use a harrow disk up on an old metal plant stand too. The only thing wierd is you have to weld the hole in the center closed or use a bolt with a big washer or fire will drip down through the center. A matching disk can be used as a cover to exstinguish the fire when your done.
Regards

 

[bajabuc]

I got an old gas hotwater heater. there's a vent hole that goes all the way through. I musta been lucky because the one I got wasn't galvanized. It had a black vinyl liner and the liner had holes...ain't supposed to... I cut off the tank at 18" and made a fire nonpit that way...but...wait...there's more...The stand pipe in the middle got cut off at 12" and I used a torch to cut holes in the pipe...just little ones...blow a hole and stop. I put a coffee can on the pipe so the air from the standpipe doesn't go straight out the top but ventalates the firewood. Pretty neat huh....then I found a piece of round solid scrap about 4" thick and big enough to cover the stand pipe bottom...drilled 5 holes in it...1/2" one in the middle and 4 1" holes around the middle hole. Stick the piece in a power hacksaw and cut off a 1" thick slice...cut off a second 1" slice and put an asbestos washer between the two and bolt the two together. Weld the sandwich to the bottom of the standpipe. Take a piece of rebar and make a handle and weld it to the bottom piece and bend it so it sticks out from under the heater...I can slide the handle back and forth and adjust the amount of air that comes in the bottom. When I go to a no open fires I take a grill that fits over the top of the heater. Pile rocks around the heater and it looks fairly nice. If I do it again I'll make it less than a foot high. I've been using it for 20 years. works great...but wait...there's more...I cut off the very top of the heater ...right around the weld...turned it over and fit it with a couple of rings. I can slip it over the heater...now I have stove...put a stovepipe with a damper on it...turn the damper down and almost close off the vent holes in the bottom and it's as close to airtight as you cna get...a load of hardwood will burn all night, keeps the tipi warm and you don't have to kick the lettle womam out of the blankets to fix the fire!!!