Homemade BBQ Grills, Roasters and Smokers

When you decide to get yourself a grill the very first choice you have to make is to go out and buy one from the local garden or home improveMent centre or to make your own. You may be the type of person that would never entertain the thought of building your own BBQ grill, but since your reading this article I'm assuming that you're at least considering the possibility! So let me try and get you over the line and convince you why it's such a good idea!

Homemade BBQ Grills, Roasters and Smokers

Homemade BBQ Grills, Roasters and Smokers

---

Homemade BBQ Grills, Roasters and Smokers

Homemade BBQ Grills, Roasters and Smokers

One of the most common reasons a lot of people will choose the DIY route is money, and it's a perfectly good reason, anything other than the most basic store bought BBQ can run into hundreds of Dollars, and when all is said and done, all we want it to do is cook our Food, and a homemade grill will do this as well as ANY store bought grill. Depending on the materials you already have available all your grill may cost you is your time, otherwise you should be able to beg, steel or borrow what you need without spending more than a hundred bucks.

For me though, the single biggest motivation for building your own BBQ is the satisfaction that you get from building it, never is this sweeter than while your Watching the steaks and burgers sizzling away the first time you fire it up. It's a great buzz, and something you'll never get from a store bought BBQ, no matter how many features it has!

Another good motivator for getting off the couch and building your own is the freedom of design and expression that designing something yourself, from scratch offers. Maybe you want two levels of grill, maybe three, maybe you would like to have a work top or prep area on one side of the grill or maybe on both sides of the grill! Maybe your seven feet tall and you don't want to strain your back bending down to a standard height grill, the beauty of designing your own is that you can decide on all of these paraMeters yourself!

So once you've decided to take the plunge and design and build your own BBQ grill, another world of possibilities opens up! Sure, you can build a standard grill, but why not consider going the whole 'hog' (sorry!) and building a pig roaster, why not a meat smoker! All of these can be built from a standard scrap 55-gallon drum and some light angle iron!

Maybe working with metal isn't for you, no problem, you can build your own brick BBQ grill. This is a great addition to any garden, and when done well, can actually add a little extra value to the house!!

Whether you're using brick or steel, building a grill or a smoker, the principle is the same, with a little bit of enthusiasm and effort, coupled with a healthy Dollop of good information, you can build something with your own hands that will pay you back with quiet satisfaction every time you use it!

Homemade BBQ Grills, Roasters and Smokers

Built in BBQ Grill - How to Design and Plan Your Own

Imagine Cooking some juicy steaks on your own built in BBQ grill. Sure it will take a lot of work and a good chunk of change, but it will definitely be worth it. Building you own backyard BBQ grill can be a daunting task, but with a little planning it will be a great project with excellent returns. Before you begin digging and building you will need to do some careful planning. Deciding how the grill will look and what functionality you need are the most difficult and important parts of this enTire project. As part of the design you will need to decide what design to use and how to customize it to fit your style. Before you begin construction it is imperative to choose what grill insert you will use.

Built in BBQ Grill - How to Design and Plan Your Own

Built in BBQ Grill - How to Design and Plan Your Own

---

Built in BBQ Grill - How to Design and Plan Your Own

Built in BBQ Grill - How to Design and Plan Your Own

Built in BBQ Plans can be purchased from a variety of online vendors or at a local home improveMent store and can be fAirly expensive. You can design your own grill using one of two methods: pencil and paper or with Computer design software. I recomMend starting with the pencil and paper until you have a good idea where you are going, then move into the digital world. There are a variety of design software packages available at many price levels. When I designed my backyard BBQ grill I used Google SketchUp, a free software package that is easy to use.

There are three basic designs to start with. You can customize them once you have decided on a basic design. The first design is a simple island. It can be as long and deep as you like, but the minimum size is really six feet long by two and a half feet deep. The second design is an L. A bar extends perpendicular to the island. This allows for a bit more counter space. The third design adds another bar on the other side of the island forming a U design.

The space that you have for the outdoor kitchen will dictate which design you use. If you are limited on space you will probably need to choose the simple bar design; if you have a large space available you may opt for the U Design. Once you have chosen a starting design you can customize it to fit your style.

After you have chosen the design and diMensions of your grill you will need to decide how you want it to look. There are a variety of facades to choose from including stucco, rock, and traditional brick. Counters need to be a weather resistant durable material both tile and stone work well. If you will install cabinets under the countertop choose a wood that weathers well such as cedar or redwood.

The final and most important choice you will have to make when designing your built in BBQ grill is what type of grill insert to use. If you will use charcoal you can just brick in a grate and start Cooking. If you like the taste of charcoal but want the look of stainless steel you can purchase a charcoal stainless steel grill insert, but it will cost you quite a bit of money. Because of convenience and cooking style most will choose a gas grill insert. They come in a variety of sizes and models.

When choosing a grill insert remember the following tips. I know that you will want to purchase the largest and most powerful model available, but it is not necessary. Think about the amount of Food that you will be cooking at one time. If you have a small to medium sized family and don't entertain large gatherings as 400 to 500 square inch model ought to work well. Make sure to have the insert handy when construction begins to ensure a proper fit.

Following the steps outlined above when planning and designing your backyard kitchen will ensure that your built in BBQ grill will fit your style and needs.

Built in BBQ Grill - How to Design and Plan Your Own

Make You Gas Barbeque Grill Ignitor the Most Reliable Part of Your BBQ Instead of Buying Repairs

I get to see thousands of barbeque grills at their worst. People call me when the grill will not heat properly, can't ignite or begins to fall apart with rust and corrosion. I repAir gas barbeque grills and I get to see how you treat your BBQ. The most common misconception I deal with is a belief grill ignitors do not last. Many customers will tell me their barbeque grill has served them for over ten years but the ignitor stopped working within six months. More often than not, when I test the ignition it works just fine aside from being ignored for the past nine and a half years. Inject a little education and most clients are able to use the barbeque grill ignition for many years before needing a replaceMent part.

Make You Gas Barbeque Grill Ignitor the Most Reliable Part of Your BBQ Instead of Buying Repairs

Make You Gas Barbeque Grill Ignitor the Most Reliable Part of Your BBQ Instead of Buying Repairs

---

Make You Gas Barbeque Grill Ignitor the Most Reliable Part of Your BBQ Instead of Buying Repairs

Make You Gas Barbeque Grill Ignitor the Most Reliable Part of Your BBQ Instead of Buying Repairs

A gas grill ignitor is made up of several different parts although most backyard chefs envision it as a single fragile item. The module is often referred to as a spark generator and generate sparks is what it does. A module can contain a button to act as the electronic switch, spark generator and battery pack. These items can also be installed separately depending on the barbecue grill design. The switch is usually accessible but the ignition module is mounted behind the control panel. PlaceMent behind the control panel keeps you from breaking it and keeps the weather from directly affecting its performance.

The electrode is attached to the module by an electrode wire that runs into the firebox of the gas BBQ grill. The electrode acts just like a spark Plug in your car. The charge from the battery is activated when the button is pressed, rotary is turned, control knob recessed, etc. The battery charge is converted within the module and sent to the electrode. The electrode sparks and gas ignites. It is really that simple and the simpler the tool, the more difficult to damage.

A barbeque grill ignition electrode should be easy to locate in the firebox of your gas grill once the Cooking grates, briquette tray or heat shields have been removed. It will even look like a small spark Plug with a porcelain housing and a steel rod coming through it. Often there will be a second steel rod mounted alongside the rod coming through the porcelain. Many barbeque manufacturers will place a stainless steel collector box over the electrode to protect it. Whether your gas grill electrode is a single steel rod in a porcelain sleeve, two steel rods or is contained in a stainless collection box, this is where the electric charge arcs to ignite your gas grill.

One reason a barbeque grill ignitor will seem to function poorly is the same reason the spark Plug in your car must have its gap adjusted when it is installed. Whether the electrode is grounding against the gas grill burner, the collector box or secondary steel rod, the distance has to be close enough to make a strong connection but far enough apart to maximize the exposure to gas flowing from the burner. Check the gas grill manual and properly gap the distance to achieve the best spark from your ignitor.

If you purchased your gas barbecue grill from a grill store as opposed to a giant retailer selling everything but properly educated in nothing or buying it online and assembling it yourself the specialty grill store will have completed this for you as part of the assembly of the grill.

The primary reason most people believe their gas BBQ grill ignitor is broken is grease. The electrode must mount inside the grill near the gas burner in order to access the gas as it leaves the burner. The proximity to the gas it ignites also places the electrode in the path of falling grease. Grease, dirt, rain, water and pieces of Food all combine to hinder the effectiveness of your gas grill ignition. When the button is pushed, clicked or turned and the gas does not ignite most backyard grillers will assume the ignitor is broken. Often it can be a single drop of grease that is stopping the arc from connecting to the ground.

Even the rare client who truly does clean their gas barbeque regularly will focus on the grill parts they can see or the BBQ parts that touch their Food. The more devoted cook may remove the Cooking grates to clean the rock tray, heat shields and sometimes poke put the gas ports on the gas burner. All this is great but an extra thirty seconds to lightly brush the collector box or the exposed electrode will keep the ignition function safely through many years of use. When you clean the electrode, rely on your de-greasing spray. If too much pressure is applied and the porcelain sleeve gets cracked, the electrode will have to be replaced. Spray the de-greaser, lightly brush the steel rods then replace the battery and activate the switch. Most ignitors today use a battery operated button but many grills still use rotary knobs or piezo clicking buttons. Check the arc to make sure the spark is a solid blue and adjust the gap if necessary.

I have assisted thousands of backyard chefs over the past several years and a vast majority of them have believed a faulty ignitor was standard practice on a gas grill. It is not. A little education and a little maintenance and your ignitor will exceed your expectations and safely ignite your barbeque grill every time.

Make You Gas Barbeque Grill Ignitor the Most Reliable Part of Your BBQ Instead of Buying Repairs

Barbecue Grills - Easy Tips to Maintain it For a Lifetime

When you purchase an expensive barbecue grill, it's like an investMent. You expect it to last for years to come and provide you with perfectly cooked Food whenever you want it. But, keeping your barbecue working at optimal performance and looking its best is going to take a little work on your behalf. So, whether you have a gas, electric, charcoal or smoke barbecue grill, get ready to learn some easy tips on how to take care and repAir it right at home.

Barbecue Grills - Easy Tips to Maintain it For a Lifetime

Barbecue Grills - Easy Tips to Maintain it For a Lifetime

---

Barbecue Grills - Easy Tips to Maintain it For a Lifetime

Barbecue Grills - Easy Tips to Maintain it For a Lifetime

You're going to need some tools to clean your barbecue grill, so check to see that you have these essential items on hand:

Brass wire grill brush
Soap-embedded, fine steel wool pads
Mild dish soap
Sponge or dishCloth
Spray Cooking oil
Dry baking soda
Aluminum foil
Newspaper

These items will enable you to keep your charcoal, electric, gas or smoke barbecue grill looking as fantastic as the day you first brought it home. The first step to keeping your grill clean and sanitary is brushing off the grill surfaces. All barbecue grills will need this done on a regular basis, so don't neglect this crucial step. You will find that there are a variety of brushes available for this purpose, so make sure to choose the one best suited for the type of surface your barbecue grill is made of. If you have a cast iron surface, use a stainless steel brush, if you have a porcelain-coated barbecue grill, a brass-bristle brush is best. So, choose your brush wisely and your grill will reap the benefits. Also, check your grease pan every now and then for a buildup of debris. Clean it out if needed so your barbecue grill remains hygienic and safe.

Once your barbecue grill surface is clean, it's time to spray it with Cooking oil. Make absolutely positively sure that the grill is cold so the oil doesn't ignite. Only a cold charcoal, electric, gas or smoke barbecue grill will benefit from a light coating of Cooking oil. It will help to prevent your grill from rusting and prepare the surface for the next time you decide to fire up the barbecue!

The burner assemblies are additional parts on your barbecue grill that must be cleaned periodically as well. So, that means your gas valves, metal conduits and burners need your attention from time to time or debris, bugs and spiders will think of them as their permanent home.

A different idea for cleaning your electric, gas, charcoal or smoke barbecue grill involves the use of something you probably already have lying around the house. Standard baking soda is a great natural cleaning agent and will help to restore your grill to its usual splendor. Just sprinkle a bit of the baking soda onto a dry brush and scrub the grill. Rinse clean and do the same thing on knobs and trays.

Aluminum foil has yet another use, but I bet you didn't think it was for cleaning your barbecue grill, did you? Well, think again because all you have to do is roll it up and gently rub it back and forth on your grill. It cleans wonderfully and is an inexpensive way to aid in the upkeep of your grill.

Probably the most unorthodox way to remove that greasy residue from your smoke, charcoal, electric or gas barbecue grill is with newspaper. Once you've finished grilling, all you have to do is soak a newspaper in water and leave it on top of your lukewarm grill rack with the lid down. Wait about 45 minutes to an hour and then use the paper to wipe off all of that hard to remove grease and grime.

The use of dish soap is common and very effective for cleaning all types of barbecue grills, so don't rule out this method. Just place your grill and racks out in your yard and spray it down with water. Gently scrub your grill with a steel pad and rinse again.

All of these cleaning methods are great ideas for taking care of your grill, but to really make sure it looks model-perfect for as long as possible, invest in a cover. You spent a lot of money on your barbecue grill, so buy a cover and protect it from eleMents like rain, wind and dust.

Now that your gas, electric, smoke or charcoal barbecue is shiny and clean, it's time to check it out and adDress any issues you've been having with it. But, before you toss it in the garbage or haul it off to the repAir man, check to see if you can repair it yourself. Who knows, you just might save yourself some money and you'll feel good about your handyman skills as well.

The first repair you'll want to look at is the burner. Make sure the gas is disconnected and your grill is cold before beginning. When these steps have been taken, remove the grill, lava rock and bottom grill until you find the burner. If it's rusty looking, take it out and replace it with a new one from your local hardware store. A professional would charge you a lot more to replace your burner, so skip that unnecessary step and do it yourself!

Many minor problems that arise in gas, electric, smoke or charcoal barbecue grills are a direct result of their upkeep. So, if your grill is making a weird noise, not lighting up as Fast or just isn't acting like itself, the best way to "repair" it is to clean it! You may think that whatever is wrong is internal but it just could be that a buildup of grime, grease and other debris is hindering its performance. Taking care of your grill and repairing it won't be hard or time consuming if you baby it from the moment its wheels first meet your backyard. Buy a cover for it and clean if off after every use, it's that simple. So, try some of the methods explained in this article and your barbecue grill should be up, running and sparkling clean in no time.

Barbecue Grills - Easy Tips to Maintain it For a Lifetime

Grill Shish Kabob

Grill Shish Kabob

 

Grill Shish Kabob

• Grill accessory for cooking meat, shrimp, vegetables, and more
• Space saving unit holds up to six skewers of food
• Durable Powder coated steel construction
• Design ensures stability; for use with ovens, grills, or smokers
• Easy to clean

Grill Shish Kabob

The perfect grill accessory for cooking meat, shrimp, vegetables, and many other small foods. The space saving unit holds up to 6 skewers of food. The multiple insertion design allows the cook to either handle each skewer individually in case you have food with different cook times, or the skewers can be placed through the holes on each side and the unit can be flipped as a whole. With a durable powder coated finish, the unit is dishwasher safe and can be folded in half for easy storage and cleaning.

Grill Shish Kabob

Straight out of the box, I managed to make three batches of perfect kebabs on my first attempt with this set. Yes, I bought three sets. Beef, Mediterranean lamb, and Asian chicken all turned out perfectly. The points are sharp enough to pierce meat and vegetables, but dull/safe enough that they don't pierce your fingers.

Grill Shish Kabob

The skewers are flattened just enough that they're still small (didn't split onions), but the chicken didn't spin around like it can do on single wooden skewers. Some reviews suggested that the meat was not resting on the grill - it's not really supposed to be, indirect heat works best. The height of the stands was perfect for 1-1/4" cubes of meat and vegetables to just lightly contact the grill(1-1/4" cubes are ideal for slight char on outside yet still cooked through over med-high heat without overcooking veg).

Grill Shish Kabob