How to cut porcelain coated steel?

tc in Tx · Apr 20, 2013

I have an old pressure tank that would make an ideal barbeque pit. Problem is it looks to be porcelain coated on the inside. We have not tried to cut into it yet, but my buddy with the torch is afraid it would just make a big mess due to blow back from the porcelain.

The tank is about a 225 gallon size and is about 1/4 inch thick. We have a good size torch and a plasma cutter that is good to about 3/8 inch. I do have a grinder that could be fitted with a cutting wheel.

What would be the recommended method to tackle a project like this? Appreciate all suggestions.

mxjeff · Apr 20, 2013

Demo saw with a diamond blade.Gota use water on the blade. Should cut it clean.

Janicholson · Apr 20, 2013

You will be using only part of it, so experiment.
Start with a hole, and use each method you have. With the plasma torch it will need about 40 amps or so, and I would lead the cut (angle the tip behind the cut about 10 or 15 degrees) so any blowback doesn't slag the consumables. The extreme temp should cut it like butter. Jim

Hoenes · Apr 20, 2013

I hate to be a nay-sayer, but I would use a steel vessel instead of a porcelain coated one. My gas grill has a porcelain coated rack, and when the fire gets too hot, you can smell the coating burning off. Probably not a very good food additive.

ShadetreeRet · Apr 20, 2013

I agree with your friend with the torch, When it gets that hot, porcelain will make like popcorn. Could be dangerous. As has been suggested, I believe that I would use a specialty saw.

kutzy23 · Apr 20, 2013

I've cut up a lot of old water heaters and other porcelain lined things and what I found that a gas powered chop saw with an abrasive blade works well or cutting torch held at an extreme angle so the molten metal does not blow back into the tip works well too. You also could use a right angle grinder with a cut off wheel, would probably take some time but it get the job done. Good luck with the pit!

Anonymous-0 · Apr 20, 2013

Cut a hole in an old porcelain wash sink and the plasma torch went right through no problem. No pilot hole needed either.

ben there · Apr 20, 2013

i used a sawzall on a old water heater tank...cooked with that smoker for about 10 years till it finally burnt out...porcelain kinda chipped along cut,and some bigger pieces popped off when i was welding hinges on.

Anonymous-0 · Apr 21, 2013

I have used a plasma cutter to cut holes in the blue harvester sheets and seemed to work real good. Couldn't do anything with a torch. chris

How to cut porcelain coated steel?

tc in Tx

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