Rescued BBQ Refurbish
I found this sad old BBQ at the side of the road waiting for inorganic collection, so I knocked on the door and asked if I could have it, They said it didn't work and I was welcome to it.
They even helped me load it in the back of the car.
I figured if it was totally knackered at least it would yield a few spares
Got It Home
As you can see it is a little dilapidated, the wheels have rusted out making it difficult to move and the burners don't turn on, also it is very dirty with a couple of years worth of rancid grease on it but otherwise it is solid. My car, on the other hand needs a strong air freshener!!!
Let's See What Is Wrong With It!
I propped it up on some bricks and connected a gas bottle to see if it would work, It has 6 burners plus a wok burner but only one will turn on so I'll fix that first.
I have got a 9 litre gas bottle but the big one was handy and I was too idle to fish the small one out.
You know what they say "Go big or go home!"
Fixing the Burner Knobs
Took off the burner knobs and gave them a spray with CRC (WD40) then turned using a pair of mole grips (vice grips)
They all turn now and have an automatic ignition spark so thats all good
Leaks and Rusty Bits
A couple of the main burners had rust holes and didn't give a good flame, fortunately I had a couple of decent spares from my firepit build, it pays not to throw everything away!
Changed them out and have a nice flame on all the burners
Sorting Out the Wheels
As I said at the beginning 2 of the wheels were rusted out and one was missing so I'll remedy that.
I have this little platform that I found while rummaging through a skip - seemed too good to leave and ideal as a base
The Base
I have some wheels that I took off of the bottom of a discarded wardrobe (again from a skip/inorganic collection) so I attached them to the bottom of the platform, I had to nail in 4 small pieces of 4x2 to give sufficient size to screw them on
We Are Mobile and Level Again
I lifted and centred it on the platform/base, it is a little oversize but that ensures it is unlikely to fall off.
I may put a front and back retaining piece of wood later.
Cleaning Up
The Stainless Steel parts had a few marks on them so I rubbed them down with a stainless steel soap filled pad (like a brillo pad, I also used this to clean up the inside (soot etc)
Rust Removal
Although the paint I am using (Hammerite smooth) says it can be applied directly over rust I prefer to remove as much as I can using a belt sander on all the mild steel body parts.
I then degreased the whole thing using wetwipes, allowed it to dry and then painted.
While it was drying I cleaned all the other parts like the inner grilles and trays ready to put back in.
The Rotisserie
The BBQ has a battery driven rotisserie, naturally this didn't work as the batteries had been in there for ever and had corroded the contacts, so I dismantled and cleaned up, Inserted new batteries, and gave it a spray with CRC and the little monkey worked!
Reassembled ready to rock and roll (or rotate actually!)
Might paint it yet
All Painted and Reassembled
Ready for a couple of years more service, and all for nothing.
(I suppose it cost me about $10 in paint)
Looking around on the various websites these retail at about $1000, (for the latest model, I'm guessing this one is about 10 years old)
Just need to buy a cover for it and store it away somewhere out of the weather
I will oil the grill plates with some olive oil to keep them rust free over winter
Now anyone for a barbequed sausage?
Comments
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4 comments
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Looks as good as new! And its alive! You did a great job.
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Thank you
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good job
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thanks
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where do I purchase stainless steel soap filled pads?