Just wondering if among the many talented people here I can get help. This old but brilliant and sentimental BBQ can be got going again I think. It will all be good except where the holes are. I am thinking of maybe getting a steel liner made to cover the old, or some welding etc ?? Any ideas welcome.
Lol chief, just how sentimental is it? Its completely do-able, just time and money, would be way way cheaper to purchase a new one.
I’ve got the time, but redundancy so maybe not the money, certainly don’t have the tools or skills. It would be interesting to get an idea of cost as it cooks so well.
Cheapest way would be to get a piece of steel for the bottom and get it bent to fit in fully like an insert, it would not need to be welded, and the top you could always wire brush everything back and use matt black exhaust paint/hi temp paint. Personally, the stores will be looking to sell stuff so I'd look at getting a stanless steel one if longevity is your goal or just a cheap shit one if it's just for this summer
As noobie has suggested, measure the internal of the bottom with string, have some small gauge steel cut to your dimensions minus a couple of mm on the width and 5mm on the radius. Bend to shape and clip in under existing lip, if the lip is secure, of course there is the wire brushing and rust treatment to stop further corrosion and repainting with high temp paint. Will keep you occupied and out of mischief for a wee while.
Recycle it.... and use the Oven / Grill - until you can afford another one... either you or your good wife can cook in the oven and serve through the window.... thats what we do... or use disposable ones.... and we have a perfectly good webber... Oven / Grill is much less hassle...
Mine, faithful service for a number of years, stays out even during winter with a cheap plastic cover! https://www.argos.co.uk/product/2870520
Buy some steel off cuts. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MILD-STE...418202&hash=item3b23a3eb90:g:EZgAAOSwAP9b~Rqf Drill holes on the corners off the pieces. Attach each piece with bolts. Simple fix, max an hour and half. I can't imagine why you would paint or remove the rust, given that its covered by charcoal, and besides it doesn't look like you've ever done it before so why start now? Sentimental BBQ lives to cook another day. SWMBO realises you have hidden talents.
I found it in my mums garden the other day, it was my step dads , who passed away several years ago hence the rust. Would be lovely to try and get it going again. I think Jez900ie has it spot on.
Do you have a decent collection of hammers and a fly-press? If not you may be better off using 1.5mm sheet with the probability that you’ll have to renew it every forty years or so.
