Custom-Built Cookout Grills

2009 - Volume #33, Issue #5, Page #43

[ Sample Stories From This Issue | List of All Stories In This Issue | Print this story | Read this issue]

John Benoit has been making some of the world's most unique grills for more than 30 years, both for himself and custom-built for others. He recently sent FARM SHOW photos of some of his favorites, all of them built around 55-gal. barrels.

    Riding Mower Grill

"This one gets a lot of attention wherever I go," says Benoit about the riding mower he converted into a self-propelled grill.
    He started with a 1989 Montgomery Ward riding mower. He cut off the front axle and extended the tractor frame to 11 ft. He made the extra-large grill itself by welding one-third of a barrel to the end of another one. A pair of exhaust ports on top of the grill allow smoke to exit.
    "We use this grill at family cookouts and parties. Because of its length it's a little tricky turning corners," says Benoit.

Steam Engine Grill

    Benoit's steam engine grill has a working bell, air whistle, headlight, and cow catcher. A window in the cab makes it easy to store utensils and food inside. The cab roof hinges up out of the way for access.

Chevy Engine Grill

    The Chevy engine grill is fitted with a header, Mickey Thompson valve covers, an Elderbrock 4-barrel carburetor, and shiny exhaust pipes off a Chevy 350 engine. A 12-volt battery is used to operate a Toyota car fan on front, which blows smoke through the exhaust pipes. The radiator grill on front was taken from an old Chevy. The grill rides on a pair of lawn mower wheels.
    "The draft on this grill really works great," says Benoit. "One time my grandson and I cooked a 15-lb. turkey in just 2 1/2 hrs., yet we opened and shut the lid only once.
    "The wheels make this grill so easy to move that a 10-year-old kid can run it across a driveway. The handles on both sides of the grill are made from material from my late grandma's bathroom."  Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, John Benoit, 2486 Sportsmanclub Road, Bourbonnais, Ill. 60914 (ph 815 791-3605; www.bletdiv474.org).

Click here to download page story appeared in.

Click here to read entire issue

Custom-Built Cookout Grills FARM HOME Food John Benoit has been making some of the world s most unique grills for more than 30 years both for himself and custom-built for others He recently sent FARM SHOW photos of some of his favorites all of them built around 55-gal barrels Riding Mower Grill This one gets a lot of attention wherever I go says Benoit about the riding mower he converted into a self-propelled grill He started with a 1989 Montgomery Ward riding mower He cut off the front axle and extended the tractor frame to 11 ft He made the extra-large grill itself by welding one-third of a barrel to the end of another one A pair of exhaust ports on top of the grill allow smoke to exit We use this grill at family cookouts and parties Because of its length it s a little tricky turning corners says Benoit Steam Engine Grill Benoit s steam engine grill has a working bell air whistle headlight and cow catcher A window in the cab makes it easy to store utensils and food inside The cab roof hinges up out of the way for access Chevy Engine Grill The Chevy engine grill is fitted with a header Mickey Thompson valve covers an Elderbrock 4-barrel carburetor and shiny exhaust pipes off a Chevy 350 engine A 12-volt battery is used to operate a Toyota car fan on front which blows smoke through the exhaust pipes The radiator grill on front was taken from an old Chevy The grill rides on a pair of lawn mower wheels The draft on this grill really works great says Benoit One time my grandson and I cooked a 15-lb turkey in just 2 1/2 hrs yet we opened and shut the lid only once The wheels make this grill so easy to move that a 10-year-old kid can run it across a driveway The handles on both sides of the grill are made from material from my late grandma s bathroom Contact: FARM SHOW Followup John Benoit 2486 Sportsmanclub Road Bourbonnais Ill 60914 ph 815 791-3605; www bletdiv474 org

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.

SUBSCRIBE OR RENEW NOW