The PIG

Ominivision1 · Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2010 9:23 am Post subject: Re: The PIG

Aloysius wrote:

Vince, a question: why did you put that LPG bottle horizontal and not vertical?

I must have looked at them pics 10 times an I can't see no lpg tank, I must be missing something here.

slimjim · Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2010 1:13 pm Post subject: Re: The PIG

Come-on OV1, use the force! The main bottle is turned on its side. The lower stand portion has been cut off and is used to make the top opening.

Aloysius · Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2010 2:21 pm Post subject: Re: The PIG

We don't have LPG in such tanks. Here LPG is for cars, goes in a special tank. For household purposes we have butane in such a short tank (simular as the one you've used) and propane in a much longer.

PaulS · Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2010 6:03 pm Post subject: Re: The PIG

In the states most of our "propane" is a blend of butane and propane and we just market it under propane.

TRBLSHTR · Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2010 6:54 pm Post subject: Re: The PIG

Oh great-Vince,now I have another welding project !

Vince · Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2010 11:14 pm Post subject: Re: The PIG

Aloysius wrote:

Vince, a question: why did you put that LPG bottle horizontal and not vertical?

I have seen it done both ways mate, but with the "bottle" horizontal, it allows for a much better fire (more room in the fire box) and also makes it easier to put a chimney and opening for a hotplate etc.

A mate has one made vertically, and it isn't anywhere near as versatile, or as efficient, as one in the horizontal aspect.

Omni wrote:

I must have looked at them pics 10 times an I can't see no lpg tank, I must be missing something here.

Here ya go Omni...a 9kg LPG bottle in its "natural state".

I cut the guard off the top, remove the valve, cut the stand off the bottom then lay it on its side to turn into a PIG. The front door (where you light the fire) was originally the top. The hole in the centre of the round door is where the valve used to "live".

Cheers, Vince

Ominivision1 · Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 1:28 am Post subject: Re: The PIG

Awesome Vince

I have a couple of 30# refrigeration tanks that are empty, I see a winter project ahead of me. Of course thats after the wifes projects are done 1st.

Vince · Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 3:31 am Post subject: Re: The PIG

Ominivision1 wrote:

Awesome Vince

I have a couple of 30# refrigeration tanks that are empty, I see a winter project ahead of me. Of course thats after the wifes projects are done 1st.

Not sure about Refrigeration tanks mate. For the fire box to be useful, it should be the thickness of a gas bottle...about 3/16" or more from memory...and good solid steel.

WARNING WARNING WARNING

If you are going to use a LPG/Propane?Butane tank, you MUST fill it with water (I used hot, not boiling) and let it soak for about a week, then I drained it and put a couple of inches of degreaser inside it and left it for a few more days, giving it a shake a couple of times every day. The reason for this is there is always some residue from the gas (LPG sometimes leaves a jello type substance in the tank) and this residue is flammable. A tank can, and will, explode it you haven't cleaned it out thoroughly before trying to cut it with anything other than a hacksaw. So, an angle grinder (SPARKS x heaps) or an Oxy Acetylene (GAS Axe x lots of heat) will ignite any residue in the bottle.

BIG BADABOOM

nasty hurties and owies...pain....burns...even DEATH....can result.

Cheers, Vince

Ominivision1 · Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 3:43 am Post subject: Re: The PIG

Vince

I just came back in the house after sawing one of the ref tanks and they are too thin (1/8"). I will grab a propane tank at the shop since it has the top broken off and leaked out all the propane already. And yes I will fill it with water and let it sit.

stovepipe · Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 11:44 am Post subject: Re: The PIG

That has to be the slickest thing I've seen in months...that's freakin' excellent! How handy would that be in the back of a Ute going on the trail? And it has a smokestack!

Can almost smell the bush-tuker cookin' in it right now....mmmmmmmmmm.

Got one on my porch at home right now with a buggered valve.
Was gona use it for a long range dezert target but..not anymore!

Excellent job mate. Oustanding.

Vince · Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 5:09 pm Post subject: Re: The PIG

Thanks Stovey, it was a great project to build mate...I really enjoyed the experience.

The smokestack is removable, and one piece, although it can be made in two or three pieces if you have a mind the put a flange on the bottom of each piece. I'll have to post a pic with it removed.

There are any number of ways to fit the legs...I have seen 2/4" outer diameter water pipe used, with connectors for the legs to screw into, welded to the body of the PIG. I used square tubing with the mount point outer dimension being the same as the inner dimension of the leg. Positioned the leg on the mount, drilled it and slip a small bolt through it to hold it all together. One thing about the mounting of the legs...when welding the mount points onto the body of the PIG, ensure that they point slightly to north east, south east, south west and north west, with the smokestack being at north. Basically, flare the legs out and slightly forward for the front legs and rearward for the rear legs...makes it more stable. Hope that makes sense.

Best part about it is the whole shebang fits into a milk crate when dismantled. The legs, and smokestack pieces as well, fit inside the PIG for storage. Easy to transport.

Cheers, Vince

Elvis · Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 10:39 pm Post subject: Re: The PIG

ok mate that thing looks better n better
how heavy?

Vince · Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 12:03 am Post subject: Re: The PIG

Good question mate...haven't weighed it....but its an easy lift for one person.

Cheers, Vince

Vince · Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2010 10:35 pm Post subject: Re: The PIG

The PIG breathes fire and cooks a great steak.

I fired him up and threw a couple of pieces of rib filet onto the plate for a steak sanga at lunch. Works a treat and cooks a beautiful steak. Used minimal wood too, which means it is fairly economical.

The fire builds.

The flue (smokestack) works a treat...draws magnificently.

Burning beautifully

Cheers, Vince

slimjim · Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 8:42 am Post subject: Re: The PIG

Great pictures but where's the beef!!! You had me salavating!