One of my favorite cooking shows to watch is Top Chef. One of the episodes they featured a Cowboy Cauldron. I thought they were awesome... I still think they are awesome! I'd have to win the lotto to be able to afford one! Instead I built a DIY Cowboy Cauldron!
So I began a search to try and find an affordable version. Speaking of affordable be sure to visit and check out Amazon Daily Deals and Top Finds!
I was able to find the 42-IN CAULDRON FIRE PIT BOWL WITH GRATE AND STAND by Titan Outdoors!
Still very pricy and the stand looks like it belongs to a Hammock and not a cowboy cauldron.
They do sell just the cauldron 42-IN CAULDRON FIRE PIT BOWL WITH GRATE AND CHAIN retails for $699.00
Still pretty pricey. They do offer a 30" smaller version that has been out of stock that has been out of stock for some time. It retails for $299.00.
So that leaves me with the monstrosity the Kettlestein... Made from a Weber Kettle, a Hunting Tri-pod and a bolts and chains. All in price as of writing this article is around $265 with tax shipped to my door. Weber purists are going to hate me. However a little redemption is I did save this 1988 Vintage Red Weber Kettle in my search for a cheap used Weber.
So on to the DIY!
This DIY Cowboy Kettle can be done with ordering just 4 products off of Amazon.
Here are the direct links and current prices on Amazon. For the Kettle I would check Facebook Market Place or Craigslist I found many for sale around $40 but none in my area.
Alright so the parts are in time for assembly!!!
A drill will be required as well as some wrenches. The eyebolts even come with the proper sized drill bit! All products are stainless steel as well and not galvanized to avoid anything toxic.
If you read my other blog posts you will know that I suck at life when it comes to taking pictures.... again I'm just an Average Joe with a blog so I apologize about the poor quality.
So after unboxing the kettle and other products... whoops I guess I forgot an unboxing video/pictures! My bad...
There we go! Unboxing Video!
I drilled the whole for the eyebolts below the grate holder tabs. I did this for a few reasons, I didn't have to measure as they are spaced out equally! I started off with only doing two as I did originally search for a metal bail handle just like the original cauldrons. This was not stable so I did all 4 of them. The second reason I chose to drill right below the grate holder tab thingies is because its a large strip of metal welded on and figured that would be better for support. Lastly if the actual tabs eventually rust away I can just place the grilling grate right on the eye bolts themselves. Genius I know!
What's next?
These instructions sucked. Not that I really ever read them anyways, but if I did they wouldn't had helped much. It's also probably much easier if you have someone helping with this part. Two people aren't required.
Attach the chains to the eyebolt then the chains to the hook. Or the hanger that comes with the TriPod.
It is easier to put the lid on with the "hanger" attachment. The other nice thing about the hanger attachment is you could hang a cast iron kettle to make some soup or something over the open flame.
The chains do get in the way of the lid. The lid can be placed on the kettle still but you have to push the chains out of the way...
Video of it in action. It does sway a little like the Cowboy Cauldron says it does in the reviews. Note I did close the ash vent below once I saw the embers falling.
I use the Kamado Joe Classic II and the Pit Barrel Cooker! Check out flavorflamebbq.com for more information on the Kamado Joe, accessories, fuel, meats and more! FFBBQ participates in some affiliate programs so by purchasing from links you are helping support the site! So far FFBBQ has made a few dollars! Thanks for helping to keep the flame going!
