Refurbishing a Santa Maria Style Grill

Music Junkie · Nov 27, 2015

Hey Everyone:

I just lucked into an old Santa Maria Style Grill (been wanting one for a long time). It is a bit rusty, and I need to clean it up a bit. I can have it sandblasted, but my question is about sealing it up afterwards. Should I just coat it in oil (crisco), or should I powder coat it? Does the powder coating hold up to the pit temps?

Also, Does anyone have any ideas on air holes and rain drains for the pit? I will most likely be making it out of the typical grey cinder blocks.

I attached a pic of the grill itself. (the uploader rotated the pic...sorry)

Any help will be appreciated very much!

yakdung · Nov 27, 2015

If it were mine, I would blast it, prep the metal then hit it with this and be done with it.
http://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/specialty/high-heat-ultra/

Fwismoker · Nov 27, 2015

To answer your question yes high heat powder will hold up fine. Nothing wrong with normal rustoleum either because it makes it easier to touch up if needed.

Music Junkie · Nov 28, 2015

@yakdung & Fwismoker:

Thanks for the input. I have had some luck in the past with the Rustoleum as well. An old wood stove. To be honest, the thought did not even cross my mind. I like that idea though, as I could do that myself and save the money.

I really appreciate the comments. :grin:

MJ

dwfisk · Nov 28, 2015

yakdung said:
If it were mine, I would blast it, prep the metal then hit it with this and be done with it.
http://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/specialty/high-heat-ultra/

Fwismoker said:
To answer your question yes high heat powder will hold up fine. Nothing wrong with normal rustoleum either because it makes it easier to touch up if needed.

^ I agree, but not the expanded metal looking grate itself, after sandblasting just season the grate with food grade oil like you would do to cast iron. You will get a much better paint job if you get a quart of the high temp rustoleum and shoot it with a HVLP gun. My firepit and Santa Maria Ranch Grill was done with the high temp rustoleum and seasoning on the grate; spends all its time out in the weather and still looks good after a couple years or so. http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=161033

yakdung · Nov 28, 2015

dwfisk said:
^ I agree, but not the expanded metal looking grate itself, after sandblasting just season the grate with food grade oil like you would do to cast iron. You will get a much better paint job if you get a quart of the high temp rustoleum and shoot it with a HVLP gun. My firepit and Santa Maria Ranch Grill was done with the high temp rustoleum and seasoning on the grate; spends all its time out in the weather and still looks good after a couple years or so. http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=161033

Yes. Sorry, I would not paint the expanded metal. I would consider looking into replacing the #9 flat expanded metal grate with stainless expanded metal. If you use it everyday, I would just let the grease and fat handle it.
http://www.metalsdepot.com/products/stainless2.phtml?page=expanded

Music Junkie · Nov 28, 2015

dwfisk said:
^ I agree, but not the expanded metal looking grate itselfhttp://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=161033

Yeah, I had only planned on coating that with oil. Not really looking for rust proof meat...:biggrin1:

Have you guys built these before?

I have seen lots of finished pics of the built-in type, but not many of the actual construction. I am mostly curious about the clean-out door, air vents for the fire, and some sort of drain for any rain water. If anyone has a built in, I would love to hear how yours is set up.

Thanks again.

yakdung · Nov 29, 2015

It is on my project list. I purchased a Miller 211 MIG, then simply ran out of space.

Refurbishing a Santa Maria Style Grill

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