Smelting Question

[Mark1174]

Will a Weber Genesis Gas Grill generate enough heat for occasional lead smelting (wheelweights, scrounged shooting range bullets)?

[Cmemiss]

I'm not an expert, but IMHO I think it would depend on the size pot you are using. At some point a large pot would give up too much heat to be considered. I would guesstimate that 20 or so lbs. might be a limit, but there are so many variables to consider it is like the question how long is a ball of string. Maybe someone with more thermal engineering can give you a better answer.

[Sensai]

I'm not familiar with the Weber Genesis, but be very careful of the stability. An unstable platform under twenty or thirty pounds of molten lead is not such a good thing! The tried and true turkey fryers aren't expensive.

[MBfrontier]

I purchased a Weber Genesis last year and find it a great grill for cooking outdoors. However, I would never try to smelt lead with it. The heat is indirect to the grate. In addition, I tend to keep my smelting equipment away from my food.

I think you would be wise to acquire a burner from a turkey frier or some other direct propane heat device for your smelting. There's plenty of info on this site that should get you started effectively. Good luck and have fun.

[runfiverun]

35-k btu minimum is the number I come up with for melting alloy some time back.
more is better.

[CATTLEMAN]

I bbq'd last night and the thermometer on the hood read well over 800 degrees on a medium sized propane grill with the burners set on low for about an hour. I have no idea if it was an accurate temp but if it is it should be enough to melt lead.

BUT I would not lead around my food or that high off the ground on a light weight structure. If it spilled or splashed it could make for a bad case of hot foot or worse.

I had welding slag burn through the top of my shoe in seconds one time, not an experience I want to repeat! Luckily it was a small drop and just taught me an important lesson without major injury.

[Mark1174]

OK thanks, I appreciate the response. Will hunt for a turkey fryer.