Upcycle washing machine drum into firepit
Here's how to turn a washing machine drum into a firepit. It’s a super-easy project and the design of the stainless steel drum is perfect for a fire. The small holes around the drum not only allow for oxygen flow to the fire but also make for a pretty light show. Although this one has welded feet, you can leave these off.
24/04/2020
houseandfig.com
In this article we show you how to turn a washing machine drum into a firepit. This is a super-easy project and the design of the stainless steel drum is perfect for a firepit that can be used outdoors. The small holes around the drum not only allow for oxygen flow to the fire but also make for a pretty light show. Although this one has welded feet, you can leave these off.
YOU WILL NEED:
Stainless steel drum*
Angle grinder + steel brush
Safety glasses and gloves
Rust-Oleum High-Heat spray
*Secondhand stores and classifieds are a great way to look for items that can be upcycled
CONTINUES BELOW
HERE'S HOW:
1. Remove and strip the drum.
Take the washing machine apart to remove the stainless steel drum. Remove all rubber seals and gaskets, any anything else that will melt. Clean off any gunk.
2. Remove centre spindle
Cut off at the base with an angle grinder. Not essential but it is a good idea.
3. Cut off metal lip
Again, this is optional but makes the top look a little more clean.
4. Neaten the edges
It’s pretty rough when you take it off but then you can grind it down smooth. The wire brush made quick work of removing years of soap scum.
5. Make the legs
You can fabricate some steel legs to weld to the base using flat bar. This lifts the firepit so it's off the ground just a bit. This is also optional. Those little square tabs were added so it doesn’t sink in the ground.
Here you can see how the steel legs and tabs were added to the side of the drum.
6. Spray the drum
Now you are ready to spray the drum with two coats of Rust-Oleum High Temp spray. You will find this spray at your local Builders Warehouse and it comes in a selection of colours.
FAQ About Upcycling and other DIY Projects
What is the importance of upcycling?
Upcycling is an excellent way to creatively recycle and reuse waste into new materials with higher quality. It boosts your creativity in doing DIY projects and helps preserve the beauty of the environment.
Aside from minimizing the volume of disposed materials being sent to landfills every year, upcycling also reduces the producing raw or new materials, helping reduce air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and water pollution.
Why Use a Cordless Angle Grinder for DIY Projects?
With the benefits of a cordless angle grinder it can bring, doing DIY projects at home allows you to complete your work a lot easier. Without the cord, you can work with greater mobility and comfort without worrying about your material getting caught in between your clothes or other tools interfering with your angle grinder operation.
What Are the Other Old Stuff You Can Upcycle?
Upcycling ideas are unlimited. You can transform any material into something else. For an object to be upcycled, you don't necessarily need to change its function. The best upcycling project uses an unused item and turns it into a prized piece.
You can upcycle anything old into something new, such as the following:
● An old ladder made into a bookshelf
●
Vintage suitcases made into a chair
● Chair
made into shelf or closet unit
● Old books
upcycled into shelves
● Bowlers upcycled into
lamps
● Plastic bottle upcycled into a broom
● Hangers upcycled into a room divider
●
Tennis rackets upcycled into mirrors
What is the difference between recycling and upcycling?
Both upcycling and recycling reduces the amount of trash that goes to the landfills. Recycling materials slightly decrease their quality while upcycling turns trash into a higher quality product. It means that upcycling provides a new and more beautiful product without necessarily changing its function.