10 Awesome DIY Barbecue Grills To Fill Your Backyard With Fun This Summer (2024)

Summer is nearly here and you know what that means – it’s time to think about grilling! I love cooking outdoors.

Not only does it seem like a healthier option than frying foods indoors, but it’s also just so relaxing to cook outside. If you love outdoor grilling in the summer, then you must have a grill, right?

If you don’t, I have a great post for you.

I have found 10 awesome DIY barbecue grills that you are definitely going to want to add to your backyard this summer. These are all super easy to build and will give you so much joy all summer long.

1. Easy $2 DIY Charcoal Grill

You can make a really cheap and easy disposable charcoal grill with a $2 baking pan from the Dollar Store and some cheap cooling racks.

Buy a lasagna pan or something that has depth to it so that it holds your charcoal well, and you will need to place this DIY grill on a fireproof surface when you’re using it.

Grab a couple of old cinderblocks to keep your little grill safe while in use.

Tutorial: instructables

2. DIY Concrete Block Barbecue Grill

A few old concrete blocks and a large piece of metal mesh are all you need to have an amazing barbecue grill in your backyard this summer. This is a really quick and easy grill to DIY.

You can have it up in just an hour or so and it has a huge cooking surface, so you can entertain everyone that you want and have plenty of grilling space for your food.

There are so many creative ways to use concrete blocks in your home and garden!

Tutorial:

3. DIY Brick Built In Barbecue

I love this DIY brick barbecue grill. It’s not at all difficult to build and it is perfect if you tend to entertain quite a bit outdoors during warmer weather. You will need several bricks, which you can repurpose if you have some on hand.

Even if you have to purchase all of the materials for this one, you are going to be spending much less to do it yourself than to have it built.

Tutorial: thisoldhouse

4. DIY Terra Cotta Barbecue Smoker

If a smoker is more your style than a charcoal grill, this DIY terra cotta pot smoker is for you. This is a really easy smoker to build and it’s pretty cheap, depending on where you get your terra cotta pots.

You can easily build this in an afternoon and it’s perfect for creating your own brisket and any number of other yummy summertime dishes. Plus, you can adjust the heat so it’s flexible for all types of foods.

Tutorial: instructables

5. DIY Granite Table Grill

This DIY grill is made from wood and granite, which you can buy at any home improvement store. If you are redoing your kitchen countertops, you could just use the leftover or old granite that you are replacing.

This is a pretty easy project and it creates a table grill that is perfect for your deck or backyard. You end up with a grill, a granite tabletop for serving and a cutting board all in one.

Tutorial: dwell

6. DIY Rocket Stove

This DIY rocket stove is perfect for your outdoor cooking.

It works like a convention oven but for grilling. You fuel it with wood and it perfectly cooks anything that you want to grill. There are quite a few materials for building this one, but many of them can be repurposed. You can use a paint can or metal coffee can for the base if you don’t have an institutional sized steel can.

Tutorial: backdoorsurvival

7. Portable Terra Cotta Pot Grill

This little grill can be made with an inexpensive terra cotta pot and it’s perfect if you want something that fits right on the table. You can make it whatever size you want, depending of course on the size of your terra cotta pot.

Aside from the pot, you just need a rack for holding your food and if you are using a rather large pot, you can add some old bricks to the bottom to help fill up the base and hold in heat. Add a non electrical refrigerator using terra cotta pots and you have your own little outdoor kitchen.

Tutorial: thekitchn

8. DIY Firepit Grill

If you want to build your own grill and you want the joys of having a firepit in your backyard, this DIY firepit grill is perfect. You build this with decorative concrete rings and then just your grill area to the center.

This is a wonderful way to warm up on a chilly evening or to cook all of your favorite barbecue foods all summer long, and it’s a pretty cheap DIY grill to build.

Tutorial: instructables

If you have an old metal toolbox that you aren’t using any longer, you can turn it into the perfect backyard grill for summer. You can do this with a toolbox of just about any size.

If you have a larger one, you could create a huge grill that will have room for cooking all of your favorite barbecue foods at the same time. You just have to coat the toolbox with heat resistant paint and add a few essentials.

Tutorial: instructables

10. DIY Yakitori Grill

Some metal sheeting and a few other minor supplies are all you need to create this great little Japanese themed grill. This is the perfect grill for making skewers and you can do several at a time, depending on how long you make the grill.

Kebobs are such a healthy and delicious summertime meal and you will find making them so easy with your own yakitori grill.

Tutorial: makezine

Conclusion

These DIY barbecue grills are not only easy, but they’re also all pretty cheap to build.

You can even make one of them for just $2! Some are portable so they are perfect for taking along on your camping trips.

And, if you love camping then you are definitely going to want to take a look at these 55 essential camping hacks.

They will make you a pro at surviving in the great outdoors! Even if camping is not really your thing, you are going to want to take a look at these 10 DIY barbecue grills for your outdoor cooking this summer.

I typically host quite a few gettogethers during the summer months and I always love to grill out whenever I have company over.

Many of these DIY grills are big enough to cook for a crowd.

Whether you want something temporary or portable or you want to add a permanent outdoor grill to your backyard, you are going to find the perfect DIY version here. I can’t wait for you to start grilling this summer!

And, you need to check out these 20 genius grilling hacks. They will make you the best griller in your neighborhood!