Any good as a fire basket?

[DJBenz]

Browsing a local wholesale warehouse at the weekend and came across this metal Kindling Wood bucket. Really sturdy metal and the handle is a good 5mm diameter wire. I was thinking, with the addition of some bolts for feet to raise it up, and plenty of holes drilled in the sides/bottom it could make a decent fire basket for my UDS build. Painted, obviously, but nothing that a few burns and some sandpaper won't sort out.

Any thoughts? Only cost me £7, so if it's not ideal I can always use it for its intended purpose. Litre carton of milk for scale.

[robgunby]

Don't see it not working but I would be concerned about ash buildup in the bottom due to it being slimmer there. MIght not be anything to worry about. Cheaper and more effective and less work to use a WM drum though.

[DJBenz]

Don't see it not working but I would be concerned about ash buildup in the bottom due to it being slimmer there. MIght not be anything to worry about. Cheaper and more effective and less work to use a WM drum though.

Was thinking of drilling some biggish holes in the bottom to let the ash fall through. Main worry is that the sides, even when drilled out, aren't open enough. No biggie if it's not going to work, my missus has her eye on it already.

[aris]

Depends what it is made of - might be galvanized steel. I personally don't think it is an issue with BBQ temperatures, but some do.

[Toby]

you are going to need a hell of a lot of holes to gain the airflow. if you imagine the standard baskets out there there would probably only be 80% holes vs 20% solid (at a guess) once you have drilled out enough for it to work efficiently i would be concerned that it would be very flimsy and only last a .short while

[DJBenz]

you are going to need a hell of a lot of holes to gain the airflow.

I'm beginning to come round to that way of thinking, at least I've got the right mindset though; I'm currently looking at everything and assessing its suitability for use in a UDS.

Wood bucket it is. Or the missus can have it.

[robgunby]

Looks better as a wood bucket

Seriously mate, get yerself down to the local scrappy second hand washing machine place and ask them to hold a drum for you. You should get it for £0-5 tops. It's virtually a ready made basket, just need an angle grinder and some legs to prep it.

[DJBenz]

Seriously mate, get yerself down to the local scrappy second hand washing machine place and ask them to hold a drum for you. You should get it for £0-5 tops. It's virtually a ready made basket, just need an angle grinder and some legs to prep it.

Will do, we've just bought a new drier from such a place and he had a load of scrap machines out the back (they do repairs too). I'll go and bother him.