Pellet Fan

All Things Considered => General Discussion--Non food Related => Topic started by: Hwyman89 on March 11, 2018, 06:56:32 PM

Title: Pellet grill build
Post by: Hwyman89 on March 11, 2018, 06:56:32 PM
Just curious if anyone has built their own pellet grill. I’m starting to myself but I’ve just got some questions and would like to bounce some ideas off more experienced people than myself.   
Thanks
Title: Re: Pellet grill build
Post by: Canadian John on March 12, 2018, 10:06:57 AM
 Welcome Hwyman89 on your first post. There have been posts with photos. Not sure about here but PH for sure.  I am sure others will chime in.
Title: Re: Pellet grill build
Post by: Bentley on March 12, 2018, 12:37:38 PM
Send a PM to this Member...zephyr...There are a few good fabricators on here, none better then this member!  He has modified a couple...
Title: Re: Pellet grill build
Post by: Hwyman89 on March 13, 2018, 07:34:20 PM
Thanks and I’ve got the main design and size just looking into things like drip tray size and distance from the grates
Title: Re: Pellet grill build
Post by: JoeGrilling on March 15, 2018, 09:26:30 PM
I'll be interested to see how this turns out for you.  I've been contemplating the same thing. 
Title: Re: Pellet grill build
Post by: glitchy on March 16, 2018, 01:55:57 AM
I'll be interested to see how this turns out for you.  I've been contemplating the same thing.

Yes, please take lots of pics as you build, this would be cool to see.
Title: Re: Pellet grill build
Post by: Hwyman89 on March 16, 2018, 07:47:27 PM
I defiantly will just super busy at work no time but to sleep but back in the garage soon I hope
Title: Re: Pellet grill build
Post by: JoeGrilling on March 17, 2018, 01:09:32 PM
Do you have any rough design criteria in mind?

My fuzzy thoughts for mine are as follows:
1. Two grate surfaces.  Either 36" x 24" or 39" x 24" grilling surface.  I thinking of making my own grates from 5/16" 304 SS.  The plan is to build each surface from three separate grates for easier cleaning and handling.
2. Upper grate surface has two height options.  One at maybe 4" above the lower to accommodate a drip pan for turkeys and another a few inches higher to allow basting ribs on the lower level.
3. Insulated walls are a must.  I'm thinking of framing this thing out of square tubing and using ceramic insulation.  Tube size will determine insulation thickness.
4. Anodized aluminum searing grate.  These are available online and most of the big guys buy from the same source.

I built a heat treat oven from scratch a few years ago.  It is capable of reaching 2000 deg F.  This was a fun project.  It just takes time and a lot of careful planning.  Most of it was built from the remnant pile at a local metal supplier.             
Title: Re: Pellet grill build
Post by: Hwyman89 on March 17, 2018, 08:19:32 PM
Ya main body is 30 wide 24 in diameter 12g steel.  Made grates from 1/4 304 going to use the pellet pro hopper.  My hope is that it will be “light” enough to bring with camping. Hopeful for next week to get back into the garage to work on it.  I was going to build my own gas forge a couple of years ago but bought one instead but kinda interested in how you built your ht oven.  I’ve made a few knives over the last few years so ht oven kinda always been on my wish list
Title: Re: Pellet grill build
Post by: JoeGrilling on March 17, 2018, 08:54:18 PM
Ya main body is 30 wide 24 in diameter 12g steel.  Made grates from 1/4 304 going to use the pellet pro hopper.  My hope is that it will be “light” enough to bring with camping. Hopeful for next week to get back into the garage to work on it.  I was going to build my own gas forge a couple of years ago but bought one instead but kinda interested in how you built your ht oven.  I’ve made a few knives over the last few years so ht oven kinda always been on my wish list

Here's a link to the Hobby Machinist Forum where I posted my heat treat oven build:
(Admin -- no links to other forums please)
Title: Re: Pellet grill build
Post by: JoeGrilling on March 21, 2018, 12:22:00 PM
Ya main body is 30 wide 24 in diameter 12g steel.  Made grates from 1/4 304 going to use the pellet pro hopper.  My hope is that it will be “light” enough to bring with camping. Hopeful for next week to get back into the garage to work on it.  I was going to build my own gas forge a couple of years ago but bought one instead but kinda interested in how you built your ht oven.  I’ve made a few knives over the last few years so ht oven kinda always been on my wish list

Here's a link to the Hobby Machinist Forum where I posted my heat treat oven build:
(Admin -- no links to other forums please)


I'll try this a different way without a link.  Google on "Hobby Machinist heat treat".  A list of posts from the mentioned forum will be listed.  Look at the one from April 11, 2015 entitled "Diy Heat Treat Furnace".  That's my furnace build.
Title: Re: Pellet grill build
Post by: Hwyman89 on April 12, 2018, 08:05:02 PM
So work and life has been nuts but got the body and legs put together hoping to fit the hopper wheels and grease drain tomorrow just got a couple of pictures so far been in a rush to get I done before camping season
Title: Re: Pellet grill build
Post by: ScottWood on April 13, 2018, 12:55:48 AM
I made my own, and it is my primary cooker, but I did mine as a variation on a UDS out of a 55 gallon barrel.

I have a stainless steel pizza pan that sits right over the fire pot as a heat diffuser.  I then have 3 cooking levels made from Weber cooking grates.  More often than not I use the bottom one for a water pan.  It has a dome lid very similar to the lid from a Weber kettle grill.
Title: Re: Pellet grill build
Post by: Canadian John on April 13, 2018, 10:06:51 AM
 Very nice work Hwyman !
Title: Re: Pellet grill build
Post by: JoeGrilling on April 13, 2018, 01:33:21 PM
Looking good!  What did you use for your barrel?
Title: Re: Pellet grill build
Post by: Hwyman89 on April 13, 2018, 08:18:39 PM
Thanks a friend had it rolled a while back but never used it so I got it I was hoping for 10g steel instead of 12g but the price was right so I couldn’t resist.  He helped me with the door and hinges also so I can’t take all the credit,  wheels and hopper tomorrow had to work tonight xxxx natural gas leaks.  I’ll  take some pictures of what I get done tomorrow
Title: Re: Pellet grill build
Post by: Hwyman89 on April 14, 2018, 07:22:44 PM
Wheels and hopper on today
Title: Re: Pellet grill build
Post by: Canadian John on April 15, 2018, 09:51:39 AM

 Nice - I can see the progression. Something to be proud of.
Title: Re: Pellet grill build
Post by: JoeGrilling on April 23, 2018, 09:06:11 PM
Well....have you fired this guy up yet?   Just an FYI for other folks trying to roll your own.  I was googling around for other fabrication ideas and found another forum....www.smokerbuilder.com.  They are pretty much dedicated to fabrication of offset smokers but many of the techniques like counter balancing a lid apply to pellet smokers.