Author Topic: Water Heater as outdoor cooker?  (Read 20383 times)

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Barry CB Martin

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Water Heater as outdoor cooker?
« Reply #-1 on: March 22, 2013, 10:49:06 AM »
I don't have a lot of experience with water heaters - and I'm not certain of the viability of this idea, but after reading this multi-step article about turning the metal core of a water heater into an outdoor fireplace perhaps it would be possible to use the same materials for a cooker? 



http://www.instructables.com/id/Phase-1-Electric-Hot-Water-Tank-to-Outdoor-Wood-/step2/Cut-Out/

Aren't many water heaters today made with fiberglass tanks? I honestly don't know....  8)

Offline TwoPockets

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Re: Water Heater as outdoor cooker?
« on: March 22, 2013, 10:56:13 AM »
Now you've done it. Now Tommy will see this and he will come up with one with an infrared cooking grate and a pellet pooper on the side.
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Offline Keymaster

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Re: Water Heater as outdoor cooker?
« Reply #1 on: March 22, 2013, 11:04:49 AM »
We have one sitting outside the shop by the scrap metal bin. I've  been eye balling it but i just cant drag anymore stuff home. It has a manufacture date of 1960  so its a good solid one.

Offline sparky

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Re: Water Heater as outdoor cooker?
« Reply #2 on: March 22, 2013, 12:45:36 PM »
I like it.  turn that sucker on its side and cut it open and make a fine burger cooking machine.  I can't bring anything home bbq related for along time.  I got the "evil eye" when the mak 1 star showed up after selling it.   ;)
« Last Edit: March 23, 2013, 02:07:20 AM by sparky1 »
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Offline smokeasaurus

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Re: Water Heater as outdoor cooker?
« Reply #3 on: March 22, 2013, 02:22:31 PM »
I like it.  turn that sucked on its side and cut it open and make a fine burger cooking machine.  I can't bring anything home bbq related for along time.  I got the "evil eye" when the mak 1 star showed up after selling it.   ;)

I know how you feel Sparky, the ball and chain has made the patio part of her daily rounds....... ;)
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Offline TMB

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Re: Water Heater as outdoor cooker?
« Reply #4 on: March 22, 2013, 06:03:28 PM »
Now you've done it. Now Tommy will see this and he will come up with one with an infrared cooking grate and a pellet pooper on the side.
HA HA HA , first thought in my little mind when I looked at the picture was how can I add a pellet hopper  ;) ;)

Ken you know me well!

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Offline muebe

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Re: Water Heater as outdoor cooker?
« Reply #5 on: March 22, 2013, 08:53:06 PM »
CB the inner tanks are steel. The only issue I see is that most water heaters you find that have been scrapped will probably have major corrosion inside. A new tank is quite expensive so finding a tank in good shape will prove difficult IMHO. The condition of the tank will only a be discovered after spending time dis-assembling the water heater case, removing the insulation and then cutting into the inner tank for a look at it's condition.

Sounds like a lot of work and fabrication. Obviously it can be done. Heck you can make an outdoor cooker out of a truck bed tool box! ;)
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Offline Keymaster

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Re: Water Heater as outdoor cooker?
« Reply #6 on: March 22, 2013, 09:15:54 PM »
In the past 15 years they have been lining the tanks with a ceramic coating so the tank would last longer. They used lighter gauge steel and the tanks usually rust and leak at the threaded heater element areas or the water inlet and outlet areas.
I think it would be really neat if someone made one of these or something like it that cooked meat. Heck maybe I will see if I can have this beauty.


Offline LostArrow

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Re: Water Heater as outdoor cooker?
« Reply #7 on: March 22, 2013, 11:44:47 PM »
If you want to make a homemade cooker, especially for your forum, a 55 gal. barrel will make either a good vertical smoker or a Horizonal grill/ smoker very inexpensively.
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