Another way to convert an ordinary fireplace into a barbecue is to install a sliding grill. By providing additional slides you may adjust the height from the coals. Two types of metal slides are shown. Don’t forget, when having the grill made, to adjust its shape to the side walls of the fireplace and to allow for heat expansion.
A barbecue belt is a great convenience in keeping important accessories handy when you are cooking in the open. You can make one of leather or oilcloth or several thicknesses of cotton material interlined with buckram. Make pockets to hold the salt and pepper shakers, provide clasps for your pot holders and loops to hold your fork and spoon. Now you are ready to cook. If you prefer, you can build these features into a chef’s apron.
Fireplace tools that stay up out of the way when not in use may be hand forged by any good blacksmith or wrought iron worker. A simple bracket with projecting prongs, as illustrated, is fastened to the fireplace wall and each tool hangs by a collar. Rough forged tools are more in keeping with the cabin effect than the factory-finished kind. If the maker is skillful enough, the heads may be made in various designs. Animal heads are popular.
Discarded railroad rails make excellent material for hand-forged andirons that are heavy enough and crude enough for any cabin. Simply have the blacksmith turn up one end of each piece of rail. If you want to be more original, you can have the end forged into some special design, as shown.
The old-fashioned California ranch-type dinner gong will round up the family from far and near when the meal is ready. Any blacksmith can forge one of octagonal tempered steel. Suspend it by a steel wire from a wrought iron bracket.
