Success! (See Post 22) Weber 22" Kettle Grill Project

[Onomea]

I'm back in Oregon and am considering a project to create a combination fire pit/grill. My idea is to take a 22" Weber Kettle and install it, without its legs, into a teak or similar hardwood coffee table by cutting a slightly less than a 22" hole with a router/jig saw and dropping it in. Have not decided yet whether to have the kettle rest on the two handles, or whether to cut two outlets for the handles, and drop the kettle down close to the top of the bowl so that it is nearly flush.

Later edit: Reflecting on this, in the interest of stability and safety, maybe it's a better idea to just cut the grill legs short, have the shortened leg grill rest on the deck/concrete patio, and the table fit on top and around it, standing on it's own legs. (Would not want the excitement of hot coals on everyone's feet if the table mount failed and the kettle fell through...)

I have this model Weber Kettle, with the removable ash catcher, at my Japan house but not here in Oregon. Here I have a propane fire table that came with the house which is sorta nice for ambiance but I can't use it for cooking. I like the idea of a charcoal grill for ability to cook while sitting around the table, and for the ambiance of a charcoal fire table. I think I could burn wood in there, too, if strictly going for entertainment/ambiance.

Also, it is important to be able to clean it easily, so I want easy access to the ashes, as this model provides, and the ability to lift the bowl out for cleaning.

Edit: No longer need dimensions as I have found one on Craig's List and plan to pick it up this afternoon.



I want the table to be lower than a typical dining table, but tall enough to accommodate the grill.

My idea is to buy a used grill and table off Craig's List, and then take them to someone who has a router/jig saw and knows what he's doing for the hole cut and leg height adjustment. Hopefully, the same guy could cut the grill legs to size if I go that route.

While I see plans online for making Weber kettle grill carts, I don't see any for the lower to the ground, sit-around-the-grill/fire pit idea I have.

Any comments or advice, suggestions for improvements, are appreciated.

 

[Bugkiller99]

I'll start with a cheap bump to the top. I thought at first this was a trick question. Similar to "Who's buried in Grant's Tomb".

You may want to reconsider your overall height, if I am understanding your intent. Grilling is typically done standing, so dining table height may not be comfortable.

I would like to see a picture of the finished product. Sounds interesting.

 

[Onomea]

Re grilling being typically done standing, sure, I agree. But I want this as something one can comfortably sit around, enjoy the fire, and have space to place one's drinks and maybe small plates as well.

I have a propane fire table — fire feature table? — as noted above, and my wife and I think it would be nice to to be able to cook on it while sitting around it with guests. (Not practical of course as it is not designed for cooking.) I'm thinking lid off for this application. Shish kabobs, small beef strips, like that. Stuff individuals could cook to their liking while sitting around and talking.

I'd also use it lid on for cooking large pieces of meat, but that kind of cooking doesn't require much activity beyond occasional temp checks, so I don't see the sitting/not standing part as much of an inconvenience.

 

[jeffrefrig]

Interesting concept. Are the lids hinged or do they just lift off? Would the metal get hot enough to burn away the table where it touches over time? I'd like to see it when you're done, also. Sounds good on paper.

 

[jeffrefrig]

Also, be careful stretching your legs out under the table.

 

[Imissedagain]

One of these may be in your future.

Certainly doable.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Like the idea but quite honestly after you are all done with the project it might be cheaper to buy a purpose built firepit with a grill.
Sorry! Something went wrong!
Don't worry about the link it works

 

[Onomea]

Found the grill on Craig's List and plan to pick it up this afternoon so I no longer need dimensions. Revised my original post to reflect this. I am also thinking with the lid off, the height may be fine as is.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Found the grill on Craig's List and plan to pick it up this afternoon so I no longer need dimensions. Revised my original post to reflect this. I am also thinking with the lid off, the height may be fine as is.

I have spent many a pleasant evening using my 22" Weber as a fire pit.
You will do fine using it just as is.

 

[cadmike]

I like the concept.

In my opinion burning wood in the kettle is a bad idea. if you get the fire too large or hot, you may melt the plastic handles on the kettle. A wood fire can be many times hotter than a charcoal fire.

 

[Sam McCord]

I like the concept.

In my opinion burning wood in the kettle is a bad idea. if you get the fire too large or hot, you may melt the plastic handles on the kettle. A wood fire can be many times hotter than a charcoal fire.

Everything I've ever seen or read indicates that a charcoal fire is hotter than a wood fire. I believe you're mistaken.

 

[Onomea]

My guess is charcoal burns hotter, but most guys would not put so much in the bowl so as to melt the handles. But, with wood, one might pile on more to get the flames roaring and melt the handles.

Caje, I may wind up just using as is — the path of least resistance and all that, especially for a guy with my lack of carpentry skills — but I do like the idea of a table surrounding it to put drinks and chow/snacks on.

 

[cadmike]

Everything I've ever seen or read indicates that a charcoal fire is hotter than a wood fire. I believe you're mistaken.

Yes my apologies a quick google search showed me that I was mistaken.

But I still say you're likely to melt the plastic if you use it as a fire pit. The solution for OP could be as simple as…removing the plastic handles.

 

[JohnHL]

Here's an idea.

Put the cover on your "table fire feature" and set a small Hibachi grill on it for warmth/cooking.

Cheap, quick, and easy.

John

 

[Muss Muggins]

How do you plan to get to the vents on the bottom part of the Weber?

 

[Onomea]

Here's an idea.

Put the cover on your "table fire feature" and set a small Hibachi grill on it for warmth/cooking.

Cheap, quick, and easy.

John

John, I have thought about that. I have a Weber charcoal "Go Anywhere" portable grill, but I think if I unfold the legs as one is supposed to provide clearance, the grill is gonna set to tall for anyone (barring Lew Alcindor) seated at the fire table to see inside.

And kinda small for a fire pit feel.

How do you plan to get to the vents on the bottom part of the Weber?

I'm thinking the table, which will be a top and legs only, will not have too much width between grill bowl edge and side of the table, so, underneath the table top, just reach on in there as usual. Could attach some sort of extension, if needed, I suppose. Hmm. Maybe a rectangular table would be better than round so as to have more space on the ends but still be able to reach underneath in the middle for vents and ash removal.

Picked up the Craig's List grill. Looks pretty good. $60. This model now costs $217 off Amazon. Lots of used grills at great prices on Craig's List.

 

[Kenna]

I would keep the diameter of the wood cutout at least 4inches away from grill or you may burn wood table.

 

[Onomea]

Now, I know you fellas are gonna find this mighty hard to believe, but this evening, I explained this project to my wife. After all, I was only thinking of her happiness and all.

And — you are not gonna believe this! — she said, to paraphrase, "What a crappy idea!," and opined that whatever I came up with was bound to be unsightly, unpleasant to sit beside, and most likely smell bad.

She claimed this analysis was based on previous experience.

I tell you, gents, I was seriously affronted. She further sided with the opinion of the Bayou Barrister, saying just leave the Weber as is. And, she agreed with JohnHL above, saying just put my Iwasaki butane burner (15, 000 BTU, by gum!) on top of the fire table, and cook away.

Well phooey! I quit!

Anyway, while clearly undervalued by my wife, and being once again unjustly criticized as proposing a cockamamie idea, the good news is I got, for this, shall we say, less-than-successful endeavor, an excellent charcoal grill at a good price for this house:



The End.

(Women!)

 

[lihpster]

I have to say, I kinda side with your wife. A grill smells like, well, a grill. Not a bad thing, it is a grill after all. But sometimes you're gonna want to sit at that table and smell the pretty flowers, not Tuesday's dinner. For less than $50 you could get a reversible grill/griddle for your burner and you're set.

 

[jeffrefrig]

Like the idea but quite honestly after you are all done with the project it might be cheaper to buy a purpose built firepit with a grill.
Sorry! Something went wrong!
Don't worry about the link it works

Mr. CAJUNLAWYER, there are a lot of cool-looking grills/cooking devices in that link, but there's nothing like building one yourself...except waiting for someone else to build one and catching the initial usage/breaking in phase of the project on video. Hopefully not a "hold my beer" video. Seems like OP has his project carefully thought out. Seems like a good idea and I hope all goes well. I don't have enough friends to invite over to try one out. Don't know why!!!???