Upcycle a broken washing machine into a warm retreat
By ALDONA BIRD
Newsroom@DominionPost.com
Having a convenient fire starter after last week’s DIY, now you need a place to safely start a fire.
Building an outdoor fire pit can create a lower-risk (of contracting or spreading COVID-19) opportunity to socialize during colder months.
If you have a yard and want a long-term fire pit, you can easily create a gathering spot by simply arranging bricks in a circle of your chosen size — for safety, make the circle two or even three bricks wide. To sink the fire pit, just dig a circular hole and line with bricks.
Permanent fire pits don’t work for everyone’s circumstances though — if you need a portable or porch option, consider a DIY upcycling option.
To make a portable fire pit, you’ll need:
- Broken washing machine
- Pliers, screwdrivers, socket wrench, wire cutters, etc.
- Fire wood, kindling and fire starter
Remove the washing machine drum from the washer. This may be a simple, 10 minute process or it could turn into a lengthier task, depending on whether the washer you are working with has seized up or if bolts and screws are easy to remove.
Since washer models vary, try looking up a tutorial on YouTube for how to disassemble the specific one you are working with.
Generally, the process will require taking the top or front off the washer (depending on whether it is a top- or front-loader), removing bolts holding the agitator on and removing any more bolts holding the drum in place.
If the drum is stuck in place, a combination of penetrating oil and a sledgehammer might do the trick.
Take off any plastic rings, and bend/hammer the top edge down to eliminate rough or sharp edges.
This DIY is easiest with a washer drum that is metal on the bottom/back, as well as the sides. A plastic bottom/back drum will still work, but require a little extra work.
Once you have the drum out, assess the bottom holes — if the bottom is entirely of plastic, remove that. If it’s a metal bottom, it probably has a hole where it was secured.
If the hole is large enough that embers could fall through, patch it by cutting a piece of scrap metal (even from the washing machine sides) to the appropriate size and attach it with bolts.
If the bottom was plastic, trace the size of the drum inside edge on the metal side of the washing machine case. Draw eight tabs (roughly two by three or four inches) along the edge of the circle, and cut out with a jigsaw using a metal blade.
Bend tabs up, and fit into the bottom of the drum. Pre-drill holes through each tab and the drum, and secure with bolts, washers and nuts.
Once you have a washer drum with a secure bottom, add legs of metal pipes, pieces of metal fence post, metal chair legs or other materials, or place directly on a base of bricks or concrete (fire safe) blocks.
As always, use common sense and caution when using a fire pit — don’t burn down your porch or house or injure yourself.
To take your DIY fire pit to the next level, add a food-safe grate above it, and grill some snacks or dinner.
Gather around your fire pit with (masked) friends and family, and enjoy the warmth during colder pandemic months.
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