How to Create an Easy, Sensational & Inexpensive Portable Grill

blank630x20Make your summer sensational with this stunning DIY portable grill and skewer set! It’s a larger version of our Mini Campfire Smores Kit. This one is an inexpensive whimsical addition to your backyard barbecue.  Not only is this simple and cost-effective, but it is sure to be a great conversation starter at your next get together.  Great for every day grilling and late night S’mores on a warm summer evening.  You won’t believe how easy it is to make.blank630x20

Portable Grill Supplies

NOTE: Make sure you buy a typical heavy clay pot with no glaze on the inside. They are put through a kiln so will withstand high temperatures as long as the change is not sudden. Never put water on the briquettes when finished as the sudden temperature change will crack the pot. Also, NEVER touch the pot when cooking as it gets very hot.

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Whimsical Woodland Portable Grill Download

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Instructions

Make your summer sensational with this stunning DIY portable grill and skewer set! An inexpensive whimsical addition to your backyard barbecue.blank630x20

Though not shown on this pot this step is IMPORTANT if want the outside of your pot to not darken and discolor. Spray the inside of it with a high heat spray paint. It comes in a variety of colors. Make your summer sensational with this stunning DIY portable grill and skewer set! An inexpensive whimsical addition to your backyard barbecue.blank630x20Spray the exterior of the pot with a metallic spray paint and let dry overnight.
Make your summer sensational with this stunning DIY portable grill and skewer set! An inexpensive whimsical addition to your backyard barbecue.blank630x20

Download, print and cut out the stencils provided above.
Make your summer sensational with this stunning DIY portable grill and skewer set! An inexpensive whimsical addition to your backyard barbecue.blank630x20Align the top (flat side) of the leaf-shaped stencil just below the lip of the pot.
Make your summer sensational with this stunning DIY portable grill and skewer set! An inexpensive whimsical addition to your backyard barbecue.blank630x20Using a light but visible marker, trace the leaf stencil onto the pot.
Make your summer sensational with this stunning DIY portable grill and skewer set! An inexpensive whimsical addition to your backyard barbecue.blank630x20Repeat the process above, leaving a 1 1/2″ gap between stencils.  When complete, there will be 4 outlines of this stencil surrounding the pot.
Make your summer sensational with this stunning DIY portable grill and skewer set! An inexpensive whimsical addition to your backyard barbecue.blank630x20Using a ruler, draw a line down the center of each leaf outline, creating a geometric ‘leaf’ look.
Make your summer sensational with this stunning DIY portable grill and skewer set! An inexpensive whimsical addition to your backyard barbecue.blank630x20

Using the acrylic paint, fill in half of each ‘leaf’ with a separate color.  This may take 2-3 coats.
Make your summer sensational with this stunning DIY portable grill and skewer set! An inexpensive whimsical addition to your backyard barbecue.blank630x20

Once the paint is dry, dilute a small amount of a lighter colored acrylic paint with water.  Using a 1″ brush, lightly apply angled stripes to a few of the leaves.  Pictured below, the lighter teal is applied to the dark teal sections only.
Make your summer sensational with this stunning DIY portable grill and skewer set! An inexpensive whimsical addition to your backyard barbecue.blank630x20

Gather the supplies for the skewers .Make your summer sensational with this stunning DIY portable grill and skewer set! An inexpensive whimsical addition to your backyard barbecue.blank630x20

Cut out the arrow stencils provided above.  Trace two of each pattern piece onto each color of sticky-back craft foam.
Make your summer sensational with this stunning DIY portable grill and skewer set! An inexpensive whimsical addition to your backyard barbecue.blank630x20

Remove backing paper and apply the sticky side of the foam ‘feathers’ just below the handle of the skewer.
Make your summer sensational with this stunning DIY portable grill and skewer set! An inexpensive whimsical addition to your backyard barbecue.blank630x20

Repeat with the second piece, cut from the same color and shape.  Press sticky sides together to seal into place around the skewer.
Make your summer sensational with this stunning DIY portable grill and skewer set! An inexpensive whimsical addition to your backyard barbecue.blank630x20

Using the same method, place the ‘arrow’ tips roughly 5″ down from the ‘feathers’.  Use an alternate color for the arrow tips.  Be sure that the tip of the arrow is at least 8″ away from the tip of the skewer.  Placing them too close to the end will cause them to melt during use.
Make your summer sensational with this stunning DIY portable grill and skewer set! An inexpensive whimsical addition to your backyard barbecue.blank630x20

Cut three small triangles out of each side of the ‘feather’.
Make your summer sensational with this stunning DIY portable grill and skewer set! An inexpensive whimsical addition to your backyard barbecue.blank630x20

Using the craft string, tie a knot near the tip of the arrow and begin to twist the string around the center section of the skewer.  Tie a knot at the finished end to hold into place.
Make your summer sensational with this stunning DIY portable grill and skewer set! An inexpensive whimsical addition to your backyard barbecue.blank630x20

Roll out the welded wire and bend it into shape.  The goal is to get it to lie as flat as possible across the top of the pot.
Make your summer sensational with this stunning DIY portable grill and skewer set! An inexpensive whimsical addition to your backyard barbecue.blank630x20

Using wire cutters, cut the welded wire into a 11 1/2″ x 11 1/2″ square.
Make your summer sensational with this stunning DIY portable grill and skewer set! An inexpensive whimsical addition to your backyard barbecue.blank630x20

For ease in handling, clip down protruding wires around the finished square.
Make your summer sensational with this stunning DIY portable grill and skewer set! An inexpensive whimsical addition to your backyard barbecue.blank630x20

Place the cut sheet of welded wire, centered, on top of the pot.  Firmly bend down the four corners of the wire to hold it in place.
Make your summer sensational with this stunning DIY portable grill and skewer set! An inexpensive whimsical addition to your backyard barbecue.blank630x20

Lift the wire off and place a sheet of tin foil in the bottom of the pot to prevent debris from falling through the hole.
Make your summer sensational with this stunning DIY portable grill and skewer set! An inexpensive whimsical addition to your backyard barbecue.blank630x20

Tear off 3 or 4 sheets of tin foil, roughly 4 feet long.  Lightly crush them into a tube or ‘snake’ shape.
Make your summer sensational with this stunning DIY portable grill and skewer set! An inexpensive whimsical addition to your backyard barbecue.blank630x20

Roll the tubes of foil into coils and place in the bottom of the pot.
Make your summer sensational with this stunning DIY portable grill and skewer set! An inexpensive whimsical addition to your backyard barbecue.blank630x20 Make your summer sensational with this stunning DIY portable grill and skewer set! An inexpensive whimsical addition to your backyard barbecue.blank630x20

Place briquettes on top of foil.  Only one layer of briquettes is needed.
Make your summer sensational with this stunning DIY portable grill and skewer set! An inexpensive whimsical addition to your backyard barbecue.blank630x20

The portable grill in use!Make your summer sensational with this stunning DIY portable grill and skewer set! An inexpensive whimsical addition to your backyard barbecue.blank630x20

The finished portable grill is wonderful for all kinds of things from hot dogs, and hamburgers to roasted veggies.Make your summer sensational with this stunning DIY portable grill and skewer set! An inexpensive whimsical addition to your backyard barbecue.blank630x20

For dessert use the arrow skewers with your portable grill and roast marshmallows!Whimsical Woodland Portable Grill 39blank630x20 Make your summer sensational with this stunning DIY portable grill and skewer set! An inexpensive whimsical addition to your backyard barbecue.blank630x20

34 Comments

    1. Nancy Author

      Hi Kathleen!
      I would be a little nervous with that. You could put a lot of sand in the bottom but I would still assume the clay pot would conduct the heat down to the bottom. You could always test if first on the dirt and see how hot the bottom gets with having a good deal of sand in it below the coals. I’m guessing it might still be too hot though. Never hurts to test it!

      Reply
  1. Linda

    I love this idea! So cute!
    My concern is the metal mesh, sometimes called hardware cloth. Isn’t it galvanized? If so, it will release toxic fumes when heated. Not so good for food.

    Reply
    1. Nancy Author

      There was a discussion on this over on HomeTalk where I posted it… shoot… I can’t remember the details but I believe this type wasn’t galvanized. There are other options though if that’s a concern. It’s hard to find anything that’s not harmful now a days. Frustrating.

      Reply
  2. SandyM

    Wow! What a great idea. I have just moved and do not have a grill. I miss it greatly. I love the ease and usefulness of this grill. I will be making this sometime this month. How wonderful. I can have a grill sooner than purchasing one. Thank You again!

    Reply

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