How do I Build a Tailgating Grill?

Build your own grill to fit your tailgating needs.

Walk through the parking lot prior to a college or professional football game and you are likely to find large groups of fans enjoying the pre-game tailgating. When fans flock to the stadium to watch the game, tailgating is a major part of the game day experience. While tailgating is unique from city to city, one thing you are likely to find at any tailgate is a barbecue grill. A good tailgating grill is small and portable, yet capable of cooking any pre-game meal. Building your own grill allows you to customize it for your tailgating needs.

Things You'll Need

• Metal container
• Power drill
• Metal drill bit
• Two metal handles
• Nuts and bolts
• Charcoal
• Grill grate
• Metal plant stand
• Tape measure

Instructions

1. Choose a metal container to serve as the charcoal basin of your grill. The metal container should be small enough so it remains portable, but large enough to give you a grilling surface. The container can be any shape, but needs to be made from thick and quality metal to withstand high temperatures.

2. Measure the dimensions of your metal container in order to find a compatible grill grate. Choose a grill grate that is at least an inch larger than your container, so it will sit on top of the container securely. Measure the opposite sides of the metal container and find the center point, where you will attach handles.

3. Place the handle on the center of one side of the container and mark the spots you need to drill. Center the second handle on the opposite side of the container and mark the drill location. Secure the container in a vice and use the metal drill bit to drill all of the required holes. Attach the handles firmly to the metal container. Attaching handles allows the grill to remain portable, even if it is still warm from use. The handles should be made with a metal frame and be at least four inches long.

4. Purchase a plant stand to serve as a base for your tailgating grill. The plant stand should be sturdy, with a top surface area larger than the dimensions of your metal grill container. As an alternative to using a plant stand, you can also attach small metal coffee table legs to the bottom of your metal container. If using coffee table legs, you will need a table or other surface to sit the grill on to bring it to a working level.

5. Setup your plant stand or table on a level surface. Place the metal grill container in the center of your stand. Fill the container with charcoal. The container should be roughly two-thirds full. Complete the tailgate grill assembly by placing the grill gate on top of the metal container.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear gloves and eye protection when drilling with a metal drill bit.

References

• The Portable Charcoal Grill Guide: How to Build a Portable Charcoal Barbeque
• The Kitchen: Outside Cooking: Build Your Own Temporary Grill
• KC Masterpiece: Grilling Tips