If this is better suited to the diy thread please move it for me.
I saw video the other night about a diy camping griddle, it intrigued me so I thought I’d have a go and make one (or a couple) to pack in with the fire box I made a couple of years ago. In the video they took 22 gauge weldable steel not galvanized and cut it to the size they wanted and then just took a ball pein hammer and a stump to turn a lip around the edge. It worked kind of but it warped the whole panel pretty bad. I’m sure you can find the video if you look for it. I have a cheap $20 sheet metal brake from harbor freight so I used that but there are other ways to get a nice bend if you don’t have a brake. I bent the four sides then made one of the handles that is supposed to get riveted in place. It was at that point that the idea of the handles alway sticking out would bother me because it wouldn’t pack nicely. So I took the smaller leftover piece of steel to try and make a folding handle. Since I was just experimenting and feeling my way through it I neglected to take any construction pics, but I most likely will make another one and will document the build then. But I think one can understand from these pics what’s involved.
I couldn’t wait to try it out so I made a grilled cheese sandwich. This little stove would not go low enough and the steel is so thin it was hard not to burn things. It should be great with the fire box when it burns down to coals. The handle was sturdy enough to hold the sandwich, but over time the metal that supports the handle wire might need reinforcing or a redesign. I also think I need to try and get the corners more vertical as I was a bit concerned the butter that hadn’t been absorbed in the bread could escape at a corner and catch fire. It did warp slightly in use which added to that concern but didn’t stay warped. Next is to build up some seasoning on it so I’m not concerned about rusting.
Jim
I saw video the other night about a diy camping griddle, it intrigued me so I thought I’d have a go and make one (or a couple) to pack in with the fire box I made a couple of years ago. In the video they took 22 gauge weldable steel not galvanized and cut it to the size they wanted and then just took a ball pein hammer and a stump to turn a lip around the edge. It worked kind of but it warped the whole panel pretty bad. I’m sure you can find the video if you look for it. I have a cheap $20 sheet metal brake from harbor freight so I used that but there are other ways to get a nice bend if you don’t have a brake. I bent the four sides then made one of the handles that is supposed to get riveted in place. It was at that point that the idea of the handles alway sticking out would bother me because it wouldn’t pack nicely. So I took the smaller leftover piece of steel to try and make a folding handle. Since I was just experimenting and feeling my way through it I neglected to take any construction pics, but I most likely will make another one and will document the build then. But I think one can understand from these pics what’s involved.
I couldn’t wait to try it out so I made a grilled cheese sandwich. This little stove would not go low enough and the steel is so thin it was hard not to burn things. It should be great with the fire box when it burns down to coals. The handle was sturdy enough to hold the sandwich, but over time the metal that supports the handle wire might need reinforcing or a redesign. I also think I need to try and get the corners more vertical as I was a bit concerned the butter that hadn’t been absorbed in the bread could escape at a corner and catch fire. It did warp slightly in use which added to that concern but didn’t stay warped. Next is to build up some seasoning on it so I’m not concerned about rusting.
Jim
