Charcoal grill from electrical water heater tank?

[czechsonofagun]

I am sure somebody here build one of these. I posted in build it yourself, but maybe somebody here has the answer.

I have a water heater tank, must be 20 years old, it was in our house when we moved in 2002 and it was already old.

Anyway, I got a new water heater, when this one died and decided to weld up a charcoal grill from it. I am aware of newer tanks sporting some lining inside which makes them unsuitable for this purpose.

When I cut up the tank, there is some kind of a surface enhancement on the inside, I tried to sand it - 24 grit on angle grinder - I tried to heat it up with torch and it is still there, you can tell, it is not a clean metal but it is not a paint or plastic or anything that will come of easily.

Now I believe it is oxide from the electrolytical rust protection, anybody can shed some light on this? I am ready to scrap the metal, will not take my chances of cooking in something possible harmful.

Anybody?

 

[LD1]

I guess I can say that I have never seen the inside of a water heater. Usually cause I cant find anything suitable to make out of them as most I have came across are galvanized and dont want to mess with it so I end up just scrapping them.

If in doubt, I would scrap it. Could be calcium deposits, oxidation, or who knows...

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

They've been lining water heaters for more than 20 years now. Most likely it's a porcelain enamel liner. They do rust eventually if the lining isn't perfect. Scale and other items inside the tank, may mask the liner if it is still existing.

 

[czechsonofagun]

Thank you, gentlemen, I will save the steel for other uses - I think Mark is right, there are spots where the metal rusted, like at the bottom.

 

[CNC Dan]

It's glass. Whack the outside of the tank and it should chip off. You can leave it on. Make the first fire extra big to let anything else burn off.

 

[czechsonofagun]

Thank you, will give it a shot. Or whack or two

 

[Charlie Packwood]

I am not sure but most hot water tanks are glass lined, I think this is done by some deposition process after the tank is made. I know that it doesn't look like glass as such but it is very hard. One thing you should also check is if the outside of the tank is galvanized, if this is the case you will be burning off this coating every time you weld for sure and this is very hazardous, I don't know if charcoal would generate enough heat to do this.

 

[medic0648]

Charcoal can/will if given the chance. Just like a wood fire will also. Galvanized=no food near it for cooking.

 

[cattoon]

I built a vertical smoker from one that was about 40-50 gal, worked great, used it several times and then a friend gave me a very well built horizontal smoker/grill and I quit using the one I built, I ended up giving it to a co worker and he uses it regularly, it was/is glass lined and hasn't been a problem at all. Decide how you want to build and enjoy, cutting it with a torch isn't a great idea though, use a grinder with cutting wheels and wear your eye protection.

 

[Kent B]

ditto on not cutting it with a torch. One of my friends (Billy) who is a Blacksmith knew someone who died from Chronic interstitial lung disease as a result of welding galvanized metal. He described it as a very unpleasant way to go.
Billy knows his way around the metal shop so I listen to him when he talks.