Uses for Old Cast Iron Barbecue Grills

Clean

• Before transforming your grill, remove any carbonized grease and cooking residue that attracts ants and other pests. Spray the grill with a commercial cleaner or an oven cleaner labeled as safe for cast iron cookware. Use rubber gloves and paper towels while cleaning. Spray the grill, cover it with a large garbage bag to keep pets and children away, and leave it for the recommended cleaning time. Repeat as needed, and use a rotary wire brush to remove rust if desired.

Planter

• Deep cast iron barbecue grills work well as planters. Spray paint your grill with barbecue paint or leave its rustic appearance. Set your grill in the yard or garden. Fill the basin with potting soil and add annual plants or vines. For an interesting effect, tip the grill on to its side or half-bury it sideways in the garden with garden soil and plants spilling out of the cavity. In a rock garden, fill the planter with xeriscape plants or wildflowers. If the grill has no drainage holes, fill it with sand or moss, and tuck small container plants into the cavity.

Playtime

• Make a shallow barbecue grill into a sturdy playscape. Unscrew and remove any broken handles, and file down sharp edges. Add sand or pea gravel for base materials. Have your children build roads, stack rocks as mountains, or construct forts on the miniature landscape. Convert deeper grills into sandboxes or holding bins for interesting rocks, odd wood pieces and other possible treasures.

Fire Pit

• Convert the heat-tolerant grill in to an outdoor fire pit. Use it to burn wood or charcoal for open fires that provide warmth and light on cool evenings. Put the grill on a gravel base to prevent lawn damage and to allow for drainage when the last embers are hosed down. If the grill lacks visual appeal, conceal its humble shell with a fire-brick perimeter or other outdoor fire-pit accessories. Slide the grill rack back in place for cooking fish or other aromatic meals not suited to household confines. Check local ordinances in case open wood fires are prohibited in your area.