Jalopnik: grilling

Small Block Chevy Grill Burns Meat, Not Mustangs

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EDT

Let's say you're embroiled in an all-out mega-grill arms race against your dastardly neighbor. What's a car guy to do? Create an incredibly unique grilling masterpiece from the leftovers of a small block Chevy engine.

Two years ago, Trent Whatley got the motivation to act on an idea he'd cooking up for a while — combine the awesomeness of a small block Chevy V8 with the manliness of meat on a grill. Here's how Trent tells it:

My neighbor Terry Bacon had all the torches and welders so he played a big role in that department. The idea has been rolling around in my head for a couple years but I just hadn't found the time or all the parts to pull it off. I did some internet searching to see if anyone had already built one and that is how I found your site. There are some cars that have been turned into BBQ's and some BBQ's that are ran by an engine but I have yet to see an engine that has been made into a BBQ. It's been an interesting turn of events in the making. When I pitched the idea to some of my friends, most thought I was a little off but after they saw it in working order they were impressed. It is still a work in progress with lots of add-ons to come. Now that it has proved to be a functional unit it's time to dress her up a bit. I took it to a local car show this weekend and I think my grill had more lookers than a lot of the cars there. It was definitely the hit of the 4th of July BBQ.

Since the initial construction, Trent has done some modifications to the engine/grill, dolling-up the zoomies with an appropriate flame paint job and a new set of valve covers. Wonder how he sets the timing on that thing? [Neatorama, V8-Grill.com]

$17k NASCAR Tailgating Trailer Is Drool-Worthy

Travis Hudson — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:40:00 EDT

We regularly mock anything and everything NASCAR-related around these parts, but you can't deny the fanbase of this racing sport, as proven by this ridiculously amazing NASCAR-themed tailgating trailer. It is loaded up with a full size stainless steel Cal Flame grill, CD/DVD combo deck, JVC stereo system with two 12-inch subs, storage compartments for coolers, racing tires, customized rims and enough diamond plate to make truckers jealous. All of this is available for $17,000 on eBay and it currently has zero bids. [eBay via Slashgear]

Exhaust Pipe Burger Grill is Not George Foreman Approved

Travis Hudson — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:45:15 EST

You may be able to cook cans of beans and foil-wrapped vegetables directly on your engine, but what about meat? Until now, it's been difficult to grill up a good burger on the road, but this conceptual design is trying to prove otherwise. As part of a "Dining in 2015" design competition, a young lad dreamed up a burger press that uses the heat from exhaust to impart a tasty char.

By my rough calculation, it would take too long to cook a burger safe enough to eat, especially compared to how long it takes to whip into a drive-thru. Lets just stick with making all cooking gadgets 12V compliant and only draw attention to your possibly illegal truck nuts. [Designboom via Giz]