I've got a 500 gallon propane tank, how do I make it into a grill?

GrillinFool · 07-28-2011, 09:24 AM

I've got a 500 gallon propane tank, a trailer, and somebody who can use a cutting torch and welder. So, I need some design ideas for how to turn this into a trailered grill.

Matt_A · 07-28-2011, 09:31 AM

A friend of mine has done just what you're talking about. He used a hand-held grinder with fiberglass cutting disks to cut the doors/lids of the grill out. This makes a much nicer and much smaller cut than a torch. One thing he did was to cut all of the door out except the areas right next to where the hinges go, and a couple small spots on the opposite side. This allowed him to weld the hinges on while everything was in perfect alignment. He then cut through the remaining uncut areas and the door/lid functioned perfectly.

GrillinFool · 07-28-2011, 09:33 AM

I'm also looking for ideas as to what to use for grill grates, how to design them. What to do for charcoal, but getting it in, and getting the ash out. Should we use fire bricks to retain heat? What about venting?

Untraceable · 07-28-2011, 09:37 AM

totally needs exhast like this

GrillinFool · 07-28-2011, 09:59 AM

Chrome pipes!?! Definitely. We're think cutting some flames out of diamond steel and checking on high heat paint to trick it out. Custom rims are a must as well!

colonel00 · 07-28-2011, 10:32 AM

Don't forget neon street glow.

As for grates, its pretty standard to use 1" or so angle and expanded metal. Depending on the size you might need a support to run the length in the middle. This isn't the best pic but hopefully gives you the idea.

GrillinFool · 07-28-2011, 10:49 AM

What do you think of this?

‪Super smoker #4 catering rig grill smoke box full door smoker BBQ‬&rlm; - YouTube

fat_bastard · 07-28-2011, 10:53 AM

Nobody has mentioned being absolutely certain that the propane tank is empty before cutting into it. I've never done it but from reading here the best way to do it is to fill it with soapy water, drain it, then fill it with clean water and drain again. We don't need BBQ'd Brethren

GrillinFool · 07-28-2011, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fat_bastard

Nobody has mentioned being absolutely certain that the propane tank is empty before cutting into it. I've never done it but from reading here the best way to do it is to fill it with soapy water, drain it, then fill it with clean water and drain again. We don't need BBQ'd Brethren

I'm pretty sure it's empty. It was slated for the junk yard. We rescued it. But that's a good tip on cleaning it out to make sure there aren't any residuals... Oh the visions in my head of a dozens of shoulders and briskies or a whole hog.

fat_bastard · 07-28-2011, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrillinFool

I'm pretty sure it's empty. It was slated for the junk yard. We rescued it. But that's a good tip on cleaning it out to make sure there aren't any residuals... Oh the visions in my head of a dozens of shoulders and briskies or a whole hog.

can never be too safe around explosive gas in a sealed vessel

Grabnabber · 07-28-2011, 12:29 PM

I would make *REALLY FARKIN' DANG SURE* that it's clean before cutting or welding it.

Even a small amount of flammable vapor can be absolutely disastrous.

NRA4Life · 07-28-2011, 12:41 PM

I've heard of people filling them with soapy water and using a plasma cutter to cut the door while it is still filled with water. Also heard of dropping large quantities of dry ice into the tank to diplace the oxygen, making the tank safe to cut.

GrillinFool · 07-28-2011, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NRA4Life

I've heard of people filling them with soapy water and using a plasma cutter to cut the door while it is still filled with water. Also heard of dropping large quantities of dry ice into the tank to diplace the oxygen, making the tank safe to cut.

More great advice...

SteveT · 07-28-2011, 03:12 PM

A good way to make sure that the tank can not explode is to feed argon or another inert gas (I.E. CO2) into the tank. You can rent a full tank of argon or CO2 at a welders supply, and just feed the hose into the tank, and fill the tank, and keep the flow going while cutting. Of course a couple of rinsings with soap and water first wouldn't hurt...

SteveT

Chef Country · 07-28-2011, 03:16 PM

as long as its been empty for a while you will be fine with just filling with water once you have a opening it wont blow if you have time let soak for a week full of water it you have access to a purging gas such as argon just purge it with argon and you will be good, I weld and cut tanks quite a bit and still have all my fingers and teeth

07-28-2011, 09:24 AM	#1
GrillinFool Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 05-08-09 Location: St. Louis Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I've got a 500 gallon propane tank, how do I make it into a grill? I've got a 500 gallon propane tank, a trailer, and somebody who can use a cutting torch and welder. So, I need some design ideas for how to turn this into a trailered grill.

07-28-2011, 09:31 AM	#2
Matt_A is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 07-19-11 Location: Moore, Oklahoma Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	A friend of mine has done just what you're talking about. He used a hand-held grinder with fiberglass cutting disks to cut the doors/lids of the grill out. This makes a much nicer and much smaller cut than a torch. One thing he did was to cut all of the door out except the areas right next to where the hinges go, and a couple small spots on the opposite side. This allowed him to weld the hinges on while everything was in perfect alignment. He then cut through the remaining uncut areas and the door/lid functioned perfectly. __________________ [B]Matt Armistead[/B]

07-28-2011, 10:32 AM	#6
colonel00 Babbling Farker Join Date: 06-03-10 Location: Shawnee, KS Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Don't forget neon street glow. As for grates, its pretty standard to use 1" or so angle and expanded metal. Depending on the size you might need a support to run the length in the middle. This isn't the best pic but hopefully gives you the idea. __________________ Brad Proud owner of the PentaZero WWWWFBBQADD 0 out of 1 members found this post helpful UDS/WSM/Weber Cart for sale Here. Please someone give it a good home. Willing to entertain offers

07-28-2011, 10:53 AM	#8
fat_bastard On the road to being a farker Join Date: 09-22-09 Location: Huntsville, AL Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Nobody has mentioned being absolutely certain that the propane tank is empty before cutting into it. I've never done it but from reading here the best way to do it is to fill it with soapy water, drain it, then fill it with clean water and drain again. We don't need BBQ'd Brethren __________________ 2 UDS (Soap, and Tomato Paste)

07-28-2011, 12:29 PM	#11
Grabnabber is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 02-25-10 Location: Chicago IL Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I would make REALLY FARKIN' DANG SURE that it's clean before cutting or welding it. Even a small amount of flammable vapor can be absolutely disastrous. __________________ Tom Weber OTG Cast Iron Hibachi Large BGE

07-28-2011, 09:33 AM	#3
GrillinFool Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 05-08-09 Location: St. Louis Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I'm also looking for ideas as to what to use for grill grates, how to design them. What to do for charcoal, but getting it in, and getting the ash out. Should we use fire bricks to retain heat? What about venting?

07-28-2011, 09:37 AM	#4
Untraceable is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 05-19-11 Location: mn Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	totally needs exhast like this

07-28-2011, 09:59 AM	#5
GrillinFool Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 05-08-09 Location: St. Louis Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Chrome pipes!?! Definitely. We're think cutting some flames out of diamond steel and checking on high heat paint to trick it out. Custom rims are a must as well!

07-28-2011, 10:49 AM	#7
GrillinFool Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 05-08-09 Location: St. Louis Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	What do you think of this? ‪Super smoker #4 catering rig grill smoke box full door smoker BBQ‬&rlm; - YouTube

07-28-2011, 12:41 PM	#12
NRA4Life is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-07-09 Location: Newark, OH Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I've heard of people filling them with soapy water and using a plasma cutter to cut the door while it is still filled with water. Also heard of dropping large quantities of dry ice into the tank to diplace the oxygen, making the tank safe to cut. __________________ - Kevin Team: Smitty's Real Pit BBQ KCBS CBJ 2 Custom Built Reverse Flow Stickburners 22.5" WSM Weber 26.75" OTG Weber 22.5" OTS Weber Blue 2000 Stainless Performer

07-28-2011, 03:12 PM	#14
SteveT On the road to being a farker Join Date: 07-01-11 Location: San Jose, California Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	A good way to make sure that the tank can not explode is to feed argon or another inert gas (I.E. CO2) into the tank. You can rent a full tank of argon or CO2 at a welders supply, and just feed the hose into the tank, and fill the tank, and keep the flow going while cutting. Of course a couple of rinsings with soap and water first wouldn't hurt... SteveT __________________ Charbroil "Silver", Early Weber 22.5" "one touch" Platinum, with one table

07-28-2011, 03:16 PM	#15
Chef Country is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 07-26-09 Location: Wellington, KS Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	as long as its been empty for a while you will be fine with just filling with water once you have a opening it wont blow if you have time let soak for a week full of water it you have access to a purging gas such as argon just purge it with argon and you will be good, I weld and cut tanks quite a bit and still have all my fingers and teeth __________________ Country Q Here for a Good Time, not a Long Time!Webber 22.5 OTS The fastest and most accurate splash proof Red Thermapen UDS that gets used more than traeger Shop built 300 gal smoker Traeger bbq 125 with digital 180 controller collecting parts for a 500gal reverse flow build

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