Survival Cooking - Improvised Grills
January 18, 2007
by Roberta Bretcher
In exploring the web and the library on survival cooking, I came across an excellent book by Dian Thomas called Backyard Roughing It Easy which included wonderful ideas for improvised grills.
Thomas includes the use of everyday items for cooking "in the backyard" or in scenarios where the power might be out or other cooking methods are not feasible.
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Wheelbarrow Grill: The first of these improvised grills is made using a metal wheelbarrow you have parked in the garage. The wheelbarrow can actually make a versatile barbeque grill that will handle a whole meal. You will also need some foil and dirt. The great advantage of this grill is that you can wheel it wherever you want and it is just the right height.
First fill the wheelbarrow with about six inches of gravel, sand or just plain dirt, just enough to insulate it from the heat. For efficient cooking with charcoal briquettes, cover the area where the briquettes will be placed with extra heavy duty aluminum foil. The foil will keep the coals from sinking into the dirt and it insures that air will circulate to keep the coals burning. Stack the briquettes in the center of the wheelbarrow an delight them. When they’re hot, spread them over the foil. You can even slide a pair of oven mitts over the handles of the wheelbarrow so they will be handy while you are grilling. Line the sides of the fire with bricks and place a grilling rack on top of the bricks. You can "stick cook" hot dogs and such without a grilling rack.
You can put some bricks side by side right on the dirt and start the fire on the bricks - no foil used here. Then push the fire to one side to cook directly on the bricks. This type of cooking works well whether you use a hardwood fire or charcoal briquettes. Cover the wheelbarrow AFTER the briquettes are out so the dirt does not get wet. Moisture will tend to rust out the bottom of your wheelbarrow.
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Child’s Wagon Grill: Fill the wagon with dirt and follow the directions for the wheelbarrow grill.
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Metal Garbage Can Lid Grill: Another type of improvised grill can be made from a metal garbage can lid. Turn the lid over to rest on three bricks and then fill it with dirt. Cover the dirt with extra heavy duty foil and place briquettes in a pile. Light the briquettes, place bricks along the sides and place a grill on top of the bricks
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Coffee Can Grill: An inexpensive and easy way to make a grill that is portable and terrific if you don’t have a lot of space is to use a large coffee can, metal cutters and a pair of safety gloves. Starting at the open end of the can but 2" wide parallel slits down the sides of the can. But down to about 3" from the bottom. Then bend the strips away from the center of the can, flaring them out to make a low basket-like container. Next fill the bottom of the an with dirt and cover the dirt and strips with aluminum foil. You now have a shallow bowl shaped grill. Place the coal on top of the foil and lat a grilling rack on top of the metal strips. It is important that the distance from the grilling rack to the charcoal is at least 3 - 4", you can adjust the angle of the strips to achieve this distance.
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Clay Flowerpot: A clay flowerpot (non glazed) at least 11" high and 11" in diameter can be used if you don’t have a lot of room to grill. Fill it with dirt or gravel to within 4-5" from the top. Then bank the dirt up on the sides of the flowerpot so the charcoal will not come into direct contact with it. Cover the dirt with foil so the charcoal will have better ventilation. Pile the briquettes on the foil, light them and place a rack on top of the pot. When the coals are ready, cook your meal. If the coals get too hot, remove the rack with the neat on it and sprinkle the coals with water or spray them lightly with a spray bottle filled with water.
Of course, when using any of these or standard cooking methods, it is important to take preparations to prevent the accidental spread of fire. Be prepared with a fire extinguisher, additional sand to put out the fire and/or water.