Can you cook on contruction grade steel?

[pandemonium]

Im thinking of making a griddle and am wondering if you can cook on regular 1/4" or 1/2"

sheet metal? its not stainless so i figured i better ask if anyone thinks that would be bad?

 

[smokingd]

My old man and I built one about 15 years ago.  We used 1/4" construction steel and 4 furnace burners.  Once built we gave it a real good burn then hit it with the wire wheel down to bare metal, then treat pretty much the same as cast iron.  Gave it a light coat of lard or veg oil and grill away. We have sufferred no ill affects.

 

[pandemonium]

no tumors yet lol haha

 

[Bearcarver]

I would think, next to Stainless, plain old steel (sheet metal) would be the best, as long as you keep it clean & keep it from rusting, but I'm a woodworker, so you might want to hear from others.

Bear

 

[ak1]

No problems with plain steel. Just keep it seasoned to avoid rusting.

 

[pandemonium]

ok thanks i wasnt sure if it released some toxic stuff when heated

 

[ak1]

Nope! Remember steel is nothing but iron with carbon added. 

That's the basic chemistry, there are also other things alloyed like manganese, aluminium, copper etc to give certain properties. 

Before you get concerned about off gassing. You're not heating it anywhere close to where it would off gas.

 

[pit 4 brains]

And remember hot steel is easier to oxidize so let it cool before dousing with water. I agree with treating it like cast iron and keep it a little greasy and leave a layer of papar towels over it while in storage. If ya don't know, paper towels will wick any moisture buildup off the metal and into the air.... Be sure to post a pic of it..

 

[scarbelly]

Just ordered a plow disc wok - cant wait to get it - 22" disc with a 65 BTU burner.

this is gonna be fun

 

[pandemonium]

i thought the water on the hot grill was the best way to clean it? like they do in the japanese joints?

i will post pics of this if i make it, god knows i dont need this lol i need a new hobbie that doesnt make me a fat !@#$  haha

 

[pit 4 brains]

 i thought the water on the hot grill was the best way to clean it? like they do in the japanese joints?

 Ha Ha..Grasshopper!

They cook ona stainless a steel. you cook ona mild steel..

Confusious say, "Man who cut hit his griddle with a cutting torch, no cook ona stainless steel... ha ha

 

[pandemonium]

LOL ahhh aahhsooo me risin ru u, u rike, srainress is rut rey use, me risin ru u ahhhhhssooo

 

[chefrob]

Just ordered a plow disc wok - cant wait to get it - 22" disc with a 65 BTU burner.

this is gonna be fun

very cool gary!

 

[chefrob]

i thought the water on the hot grill was the best way to clean it? like they do in the japanese joints?

i will post pics of this if i make it, god knows i dont need this lol i need a new hobbie that doesnt make me a fat !@#$  haha

i'm sure they are a lot thicke than 1/4'.......also get yerself a 4" straight blade paint scraper and a grill brick. scrape it with the blade and then use a little oil and scrub it with the grill brick, wipe clean.

 

[pandemonium]

ya i need this griddle like i need another 50lbs hehe

 

[pit 4 brains]

The scraper is a good idea.. If ya want to stick with the homemade theme, an old masonry trowel will work with a little wire-wheelin' and a new wood handle along one edge. If you can get a blade from a power trowel, you'll really be in buisness. My dad used a hand made cutter like that for years to cut bread and pizza doughs. They also work good to scrape ******* that gathers on your counter top. just be sure your top can handle a scraper..

 

[roklimo]

Saw a couple of large outdoor griddles at Cabelas last month that were definitely made of mild steel.  Should work great!