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 responses

  1. Kathleen Avatar

    Can this be used on a wood table, or does it get too hot?

    1. Nancy Avatar

      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!

  2. Linda Avatar

    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.

    1. Nancy Avatar

      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.

  3. SandyM Avatar

    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!

    1. Nancy Avatar

      Thanks Sandy. So glad you found this useful!

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  5. Linda Bouffard Avatar

    Pinned, featured. Thanks for showing how to make this awesome little grill. Best wishes for a wonderful summer. Linda @Crafts a la mode

  6. Linda Bouffard Avatar

    Featured and pinned this week. Happy summer, Linda @Crafts a la mode

    1. Nancy Avatar

      Thank you so much Linda. I really appreciate it!

  7. Diana Rambles Avatar

    I love pinning your awesome creations!

    1. Nancy Avatar

      You’re so kind Diana. Ü

  8. Marsha Avatar

    This is so great! I’m pinning it to the DIY Crush board. And next time my power goes out in the country, I’ll be able to eat a hot meal anyway. Thanks!

    1. Nancy Avatar

      lol! Thank you so much Marsha. Ü

  9. Jessy @ The Life Jolie Avatar

    So this is pretty much the cutest grill ever! What a brilliant idea!

    1. Nancy Avatar

      Thank you so much Jessy. Ü

  10. michelle mink Avatar

    What a great idea! I cannot wait to do this myself.

    1. Nancy Avatar

      Thanks Michelle! Good luck!

  11. Charlene Asay Avatar

    What a brilliant idea! I would love to have you join us at Family Joy Blog Link Up Party. Check us out http://thinking-outside-the-pot.com/?p=2727

    1. Nancy Avatar

      Thanks Charlene!

  12. melanie - the party suite Avatar

    What a clever project! Great for a boho backyard birthday!

    1. Nancy Avatar

      Thanks Melanie! Indeed it would!

  13. Victoria @DazzleWhileFrazzled Avatar

    This is a very fun idea! Good for older kids, esp. giving everyone their own individual s’more-maker. Visiting from Bewitchin’ Projects.

    1. Nancy Avatar

      Thank you so much Victoria. Appreciate you stopping by!

  14. creativejewishmom/sara Avatar

    Fabulous, and those skewers are just the cutest! Thanks for sharing on craft schooling Sunday!

    1. Nancy Avatar

      You’re very welcome Sara. Ü

  15. Michelle Lichter Avatar

    Hi, Nancy! I just love all the details you put into this project! What a beautiful paint job! Thanks for the wonderful post.

    1. Nancy Avatar

      Thank you so much Michelle. Ü

  16. Liz Avatar

    Wow, that looks really great! Definitely something I’m going to make and use this summer! Thanks for sharing!

    1. Nancy Avatar

      Good luck Liz! Thanks for stopping by. Ü

  17. linda kelley Avatar

    I love this idea! I love how you painted the pot and made everything so special for the kids!

    1. Nancy Avatar

      Thanks Linda. Ü

  18. […] had no idea you could make a portable grill from a clay pot. Along with a great tutorial on how to make a portable grill at the blog Our Peaceful Planet  that Nancy sent in there is also patterns … Read […]

  19. […] had no idea you could make a portable grill from a clay pot. Along with a great tutorial on how to make a portable grill at the blog Our Peaceful Planet  that Nancy sent in there is also patterns for arrow skewers. […]