Repurpose with a Purpose: Old Charcoal Grills

With hamburgers, ribs, and brats teasing our imagination, we purchased a charcoal grill six years ago.  During the first few summers that we had it, we used it a few times each year.  I always stored it in the shed when it wasn't being used and cleaned the grilling surface before and after using it.  Over time, the grilling surface rusted, and there was no way I was going to prepare food on that.

So it sat in the shed, year after year, until a few days ago.  While it isn't the most environmentally friendly activity, we would like to roast marshmallows over a campfire once or twice a year.  Although we kept our eyes open at garage sales for raised fire pits, no one was parting with them.  While I was cleaning out the shed, I figured it was time to do something with the old grill.
 
If you are planning to have a campfire, use locally sourced wood or charcoals, ideally cut from dead trees and not living ones.  If purchasing wood, be wary since the wood may harbor pests, such as the emerald ash bore, and could encourage deforestation.

While a campfire creates carbon emissions, it is a way to dispose of diseased tree branches.  If you compost or shred the diseased wood, the disease can survive and spread to other plants.  By burning the diseased portion of the wood, you can eliminate the disease, have a campfire, and create woodash that you can use with your compost or to melt ice on the driveway. 


For a project like this, you need some tools and about half an hour.

Tools:
Phillips Screwdriver
Tape Measure
Hacksaw
Leather Gloves
Rasp (optional)

1. To begin, unscrew the handles and hinges that hold the lid on.  The lid, handles, and screws were fairly beat up so they were placed in recycling since I didn't have a plan for there use.  

2. Next, you'll be shortening the legs with a hacksaw.  For my grill, I kept six inches of each leg and recycled the rest.  I wanted to keep the ash collecting can that is underneath the grill to help increase airflow with the fire.  The cut edges of the legs may be sharp or have burrs on them.  If you wish, you can file them with a rasp.

3. Now you're ready for a campfire.  Use it only outdoors in open areas.