In south Texas everyone has a BBQ pit, but old Barnacle had none. I seen some nice ones and had to decide what kind I would build.
Barnacle is a builder, you know!!!
After a lot of thought as to design, I thought of building one of those round ones.
You know, the really cool ones.
    I searched around and found this old butane bottle like you would use on a travel trailer. The size looked right and not much rust. I made a quick drawing of what I thought I wanted it to look like. A few measurements were made and a lid was sketched out on the side of the bottle.
    Now Barnacle is no dummy!
This thing used to have butane, a "highly flammable liquid", in it and I'm going to open it up with a cutting torch. I removed the valve assembly and took a sniff. Sure enough, it used to contain the "highly flammable liquid" cook stove fuel.
Now, what better way to remove the fumes than to fill it with water?
This I did!!! Three times. Then to be on the safe side, I blew her out with air.
    Taking it back into the shop, I laid her on the floor and still being just a mite leery as to the past contents, "highly flammable liquid", took a five minute break to survey the situation and possibilities of what was about to happen.
Hell....it couldn't blow up. I took all the stuff out.
    Being safety minded, I made sure that the fire extinguisher was handy and there was an open path to the door.
All looked well!!!
Precaution #2 was to be on the extra safe side, so I took out my trusty Bic lighter and put the flame in front of the hole.
Bet you thought all hell broke loose, didn't you.
Well it didn't.....that is until I turned the flame into the hole.
Ignition!!!
There was this God awful sound of a jet engine filling the air.
Beautiful blue flames exited the small valve hole.
My BBQ pit was on the move,
sliding on it's own power across the shop floor, taking out everything in it's path.
    I was definitely just a little "shook" by all this excitement.
My pride was hurt from the laughter of onlookers, which had kept their distance.
As I surveyed for any damage to property or person, I felt this numbing feeling to my right hand. Damn...I must have been on fire.
Weeks later my hand was completely healed and the Jet Powered BBQ pit was sizzling the finest steaks this side of Dallas!!!
Happy Sailing !!!
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