Got an itch to grill but don’t have a barbecue handy? Here’s an awesome little hack to satisfy your cravings one bratwurst at a time!
35
BITTY-Q
SAFETY KEY:
+ Fire + Sharp edges
SKILL LEVEL:
EASY
INTERMEDIATE
ADVANCED
APPROXIMATE TIME:
30 minutes
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
+ Large drink can (about 1.5 pints)
+ Wire coat hanger
+ 60-grit sandpaper
+ Wire dikes
+ Pliers
+ Two 1-inch utility hinges
+ #4 round-head machine screws (⅜ inch)
+ #8 machine screws
+ Two 4-inch U-bolts
+ Strap loop
+ Sharpie
LET’S BEGIN
CUT THE CAN
1. Use scissors to cut the can cleanly in half lengthwise.
2. Make two small angled cuts about half an inch from the top of each sharp edge, which will allow you to form a small ledge. Try using a Popsicle stick as a guide so you can get a nice clean crease. When you’ve finished one side, go ahead and do the other side the exact same way.
SAFETY FIRST: Don’t forget to trim down the pointy parts so they are not as sharp.
ASSEMBLING THE GRILL
1. Grab a wire hanger and a pair of wire dikes. Cut the hanger at the neck, then remove the protective coating using a piece of 60-grit sandpaper.
2. Using the image at right as a reference and a pair of pliers, measure and carefully bend the wire into the shape of a grill rack—giving you a removable grill that springs into position when you’re ready to start cooking.
ADDING LEGS
3. Remove the metal plates on two four-inch U-bolts. Place one plate on the outside of the can and mark the holes with a Sharpie. Use a pair of scissors to pierce the can in the four spots you marked, making sure the holes are big enough for the U-bolt.
4. Push the U-bolt through the holes and reattach the plate. Bend the two legs away from each other and the plate will lock down, holding the legs secure. Repeat with the other U-bolt and plate and toss the nuts back on the ends for decoration.
EXTRAS
1. You could stop here, but let’s take it to the next level by adding a top. You’ll be using a one-inch utility hinge to connect the pieces. Simply poke four holes on each side and use #4 round-head machine screws and nuts to fasten together, making sure the hinge barrels are facing inward.
2. Finish up by adding a miniature handle. Use two #8 machine screws to attach a strap loop to the edge of the lid and your Bitty-Q is completely finished and ready for grilling.
GRILL, BABY, GRILL
1. Simply toss in some charcoal, or whatever else you use for grilling. Snap the wire grate into position and ignite the fuel.
2. Add your food and close the lid to get everything sizzling. While you wait you can keep your tongs in the built-in loop provided by the piece of wire extending from under the lid.
3. In ten minutes or so your treat should be grilled to perfection and ready to satisfy those cravings.
GET CREATIVE: This is a great project to play around with! Try deploying two smaller cans as a base, or using a piece of wire lath instead of a clothes hanger.
If you find yourself without a grill and have an itch to cook up something tasty, you’ll now know how to make an itty-bitty barbecue! It’ll help you get the fix you need and put some sizzle on those links one glorious dog at a time.
FUN FACT: Surf and turf today is usually steak and shrimp, but back in 29000 BC surf and turf might have been mammoth ribs and conch meat! In 2009, archaeologists unearthed a cooking pit with these two ingredients, suggesting that this famous dish may have been around longer than originally thought.