Boilermate bbq...

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So a "friend" thought I needed his old boilermate hot water tank for a project and left it at my house... It is very clean and looks like it would make a great BBQ. I started taking it apart today and noticed there is a heavy plastic lining inside the thing. My access at this point is a 6" hole in the bottom where I removed the flange where the heat exchanger was mounted. A few attempts at prying on the plastic just confirmed that is is going to be a major PITA getting it out. I'm guessing I should just commence with cutting the opening for the BBQ door and then remove the plastic. Is there a better way? I was wanting to use my plasma cutter but I don't want to create a nasty melted plastic mess for myself so maybe a cutting disc would be a better choice?Anyone with prior experience with these things?Miller Dynasty 200DXMiller 252 Miller 250xMiller Syncrowave 250Miller AEAD200 LegendMiller 375 Xtreme plasmaLincoln WeldPak 100Victor O/A
Reply:Oxy fuel torch.  It will cut right through that plastic.  If you don't have that, try the plasma.  Set it on high and move fast.  Once you get the door hinged all up, make a big hot fire with lots of charcoal and burn that plastic liner out.  Lots of black smoke will emerge, but that's the cool part!  I love smoking out the 'hood when I build my converted wood stoves.  Grab a chair and beer, then enjoy the show.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:I would probably be more in favor of using a Sawzall to cut the lid out. Maybe a cutter wheel to get a slot started for the blade and go from there. Make the top cut first, then weld on the hinges, then finish cutting out the opening. This helps keep everything lined up while making the door. After the door is done you can most likely use a utility knife to score the plastic liner to cut it into sections for removal. Superarc's idea to burn it out may be OK, but I would think there may be a possibility of it getting hot enough to warp something out of wack that might be difficult to straighten back out.