DIYer Builds A $3 Grill From An Aluminum Pan

When hosting at home, firing up the grill is arguably one of the best ways to make your patio the ultimate outdoor entertaining destination. Setting up outside gives your guests a bit more elbow room when mixing and mingling. But what if you don't have a grill, or your old one is on the fritz? There's an inexpensive way out of this jam, and you've probably already got the ingredients for this temporary solution lying around your kitchen or garage. On YouTube, creator Recipes shared their clever DIY hack for building a grill using an aluminum roasting pan. First, they elevated the pan, then filled it with newspaper and charcoal. After placing a metal rack on top, they had built their own charcoal grill for just a few bucks. 

If you want to enjoy the tasty flavors of charcoal-grilled barbecue in a pinch, this idea could really save the day. Pick up a Deep Roaster Pan from Dollar Tree for $1.75 and a Cooking Concepts Metal Cooling Rack for $1.25. You'll also need some crumpled newspaper, charcoal briquettes, aluminum foil, and a lighter. Have a water source ready nearby in case you need to quickly extinguish the fire or control flare-ups. Once you're armed with these supplies and some other entertaining essentials for your outdoor space — like comfy seating and citronella candles for repelling pesky mosquitoes — you're ready to get grilling. 

Before following this tutorial shared by Recipes, find the right spot to set up and a sturdy, even base for the pan. A hard surface like concrete is best. Don't set up on wood or grass, as it could cook — read: set fire to — more than just your burgers! For safety, take a look above and around your grill location, too. Place it at least 10 feet away from your house, deck, or overhanging roof. Beneath the pan, place two bricks, pavers, or flat rocks, suspending the pan across the two bricks. Add a generous layer of crumpled newspaper, then add a layer of charcoal briquettes. Wrap aluminum foil around the edges of the pan, extending it up the sides, creating a partial lid to shelter the flames. Add another newspaper layer, then light the paper quickly and carefully to ignite the briquettes.

Allow the charcoal to burn down until it's a light gray color. Once the flames die, carefully peel back the foil just enough to set your rack on top of the pan. Add your burgers, hot dogs, and veggies and get grilling!

When the party's over, use smart strategy for safe disposal. Although the metal rack can be reused, the foil pan will probably be weakened. it's also essential to prevent fire hazards after a session of outdoor grilling by disposing of the coals and foil properly. Allow the coals to cool completely before handling anything, then the completely cooled coals and ash can be wrapped in foil and disposed of in the trash. No matter what you grill, this DIY hack is a simple, affordable way to fire up a tasty meal even on the fly.