Grill set up ideas

8 Ways to Improve Your Grill Setup

Rethinking the old grilling station? Here’s how to pack more function and style into your backyard cooking zone

Grills by themselves aren’t much to look at. They’re basically large, hulking pieces of stainless steel that stick out like sore thumbs in our backyards. So we’re always trying to slip covers over them or wheel them around to the side of the house. It doesn’t have to be this way — designers are coming up with clever ways to make grills actually something that you want to put front and center. As you fire up your grill for the weekend, consider some of these smoking ideas for an update.

Sarah Greenman

1. Follow function. This grill setup packs a lot of function into a small corner. The sink is a great feature that saves countless trips indoors to wash utensils and vegetables. Plus, when the owners aren’t grilling, this spot likely serves as a great gardening station.

Paradise Restored Landscaping & Exterior Design

Here we see the definition of multifunctional. A large grill sits flush with a stone countertop that supports many purposes — an ice bucket, a pizza oven, a fireplace and wood storage. Our prehistoric ancestors sure would have been proud.

See how to get a built-in grill

Derviss Design

2. Let there be light. Did you know that improper lighting accounts for 52 tons of burned meat every year? OK, I made that up, but proper lighting is key for any grilling station, and not just so you can see what you’re cooking. I love how the string bulbs make the grill shown here feel like part of the party.

John Kraemer & Sons

Here a clever crossbar has three high-powered bulbs for complete task lighting.

Paradise Restored Landscaping & Exterior Design

3. Give it shade. Just as lighting helps facilitate good grilling at night, shade can make a world of difference on hot days. Here a simple shade structure has turned a small porch into a space brimming with character. Imagine this grill sitting on the deck just by itself.

4. Make it unique. Want to make your grill area more appealing? Do something different. Here the homeowners skipped a grill altogether in favor of an Evo cooktop; in addition to grilling, you can use it to sear, sauté, stir-fry, steam, poach and more.

Dyna Contracting

Here a regular gas grill got the star treatment with a cantilevered feature that brings it out from the covered patio.

Sun Valley Landscaping

A gas fire pit can be instantly converted to a large grill with two grates. Imagine how a setup like this would change the vibe at your next barbecue.

Shane D. Inman

5. Take it inside. Who says grilling has to be done entirely outside? At first glance you might think this is a typical home kitchen. But in fact it’s a screened-in porch with a 36-inch built-in grill, concrete counters, a full-size refrigerator, a dishwasher and even an ice maker.

Solaris Inc.

This sunroom in Charleston, South Carolina, has everything one could need — shade, a good view, a TV for sporting events and movies, a fireplace and a large grill complete with its own vent hood.

Solaris Inc.

6. Give it style. Charleston knows how to do sunrooms. Here a furniture-style case lets the grill blend in with the other wood furnishings.

Thompson Custom Homes

And here a wooden grill table with metal wheels helps connect the cooking area to the rest of the outdoor furnishings.

Michael Kelley Photography

7. Have a seat. A lot of the grilling process is just sitting around and waiting for things to cook. For that an inviting lounge area nearby is a must. Cushioned furniture like the kind seen here would do the job nicely, but it’s the swing chairs that would really keep you on the edge of your seat.

See more sublime outdoor havens

Melton Design Build

8. Make it easier. Grilling can also involve a lot of back-and-forth between the kitchen and grill to pick up utensils and ingredients and then deliver the cooked food. A pass-through like the one seen here makes a great addition to any grill setup if you can swing it.

More: 13 Upgrades to Make Over Your Outdoor Grill Area | Thousands more grill photos

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How to Trick Out Your Outdoor Grill Using 10 Essential BBQ Accessories

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We’ve collected some of our favorite outdoor grill ideas to get you ready for summer. Setting up your barbecue area to function as efficiently as a professional kitchen will make the whole grilling process easier. And having a place for everything, as well as some seating, is possible even in a small patio or balcony.

Michal Kin – EyeEm / Getty Images

We’ve broken down the outdoor grill setup to 10 essential BBQ accessories and components that trick out your outdoor grill and make barbecuing a snap.

1. The grill

Eirasophie / Getty Images

What’s your favorite grill? Are you old school and a charcoal purist? Or do you love a modern, state-of-the-art grill like the Wolf barbecue above? Depending on space and budget, there’s a variety of grill options out there.

2. Outdoor grill ideas that add counter space

hikesterson / Getty Images

Nothing makes your barbecue area more functional than extra counter space. If you can’t add a built-in cabinet and countertop, consider adding a rolling cart, butcher block or stainless steel restaurant prep table next to your grill.

3. Grill lighting

LOOK Photography / Getty Images

Why stop the grilling party just because it’s getting dark? Add some task lighting near the grill to help light the area. If there’s no electric connection, consider using a battery-powered LED light.

4. Storage

chandlerphoto / Getty Images

Any grill master will tell you that the BBQ accessories and grilling gadgets take up space. Add some storage to your grill area by making a spot for an outdoor cabinet, cart or shelving.

5. Essential grill tools

James Harber – EyeEm / Getty Images

For a tricked out grill setup, you’ll need some key accessories and grilling tools to make the job easier. These include:

- A long set of tongs

- A long-handled spatula

- A digital thermometer

- A heat-proof basting brush

6. Grill-side dining

TimAbramowitz / Getty Images

Much like in the kitchen, people love to gather around the cooking area. Have a table and chairs nearby. The table can serve as outdoor counter space and you’re likely to have an audience sitting with you when you’re grilling. If your space is limited, try using a long, narrow console and barstools or a wall-mounted ledge with stools as your outdoor dining setup.

7. Cool grill accessories

AVNphotolab / Getty Images

Grill accessories are optional but add a personalized touch to your barbecue. A pizza oven would be the ultimate, but smaller accessories like a custom branding iron with your initials or a hot plate for warming food would be a great addition.

8. Safety items

jimkruger / Getty Images

Safety is always a priority, especially when working with fire. Mitts are essential for keeping your hands safe when handling hot surfaces. A fire extinguisher mounted nearby is also a good idea.

9. Serving items

hikesterson / Getty Images

Having serving platters and trays handy make serving your grilled foods stylish and easy. Trays make it easier to carry several items at once, saving you time when you need to go in and out of the house.

10. Garbage and cleanup

Make cleanup quick and easy by keeping the right items nearby. A good trashcan for trash, a grill brush for scrubbing the grill while it’s still warm and a roll of paper towels are a good start.

How will you trick out your grill area

affordable ideas on how to make a comfortable hearth with your own hands

For most of us, relaxing in a summer cottage is associated with cooking various goodies on fire. Therefore, each owner of a suburban area first of all thinks about creating a special zone where the main character is a grill or barbecue. Therefore, it will certainly not be superfluous for all summer residents to find out how to make a stationary hearth so necessary for preparing healthy and tasty food with their own hands, so that you can enjoy all the delights of outdoor recreation.

Grill, brazier or barbeque are an integral part of good outdoor recreation

If modern city dwellers go to their dacha, they will definitely cook on a fire. For this action, who is trying to install a barbecue, who is a barbecue oven, and who is a grill. The most practical of this series of designs is the grill, because it is a kind of universal oven on which you can cook vegetables, fish or everyone's favorite barbecue.

Grill-smoker from gas cylinders

In this review, we will understand the design features of the grill and introduce you to very practical and affordable options, among which there will certainly be exactly the one that is the best fit for your dacha.

1. Design of a grill for a summer residence

Unusual grill designs made by one's own hands

First, a few words about what exactly is a grill . Its design resembles a container, which can be of any shape, but always with a lid and, of course, all parts must be made only from heat-resistant materials. It can be concrete blocks, refractory bricks, natural stone, metal of sufficient thickness, ceramics.

Unusual design of a grill for a suburban area

The ideal shape for such a hearth can be a deep frying container, which ensures the perfect roasting of any product from all sides, this happens due to the required temperature of the coals. And also thanks to the lid, which helps not only to regulate the heat, but also makes it possible to better soak the smoke in the dishes being prepared.

Unusual designs of outdoor grill

As a rule, the grill consists of two levels, the lower one is intended for placing fuel in it, and the upper one for food. In order to ensure the flow of air at the bottom and in the lid, holes are made, and dampers are installed to regulate this flow.

2. The location of the grill in the summer cottage

Interesting options for creating a hearth in the summer cottage

We figured out the design, now it's time to think about where it would be more expedient to install the much-needed unit. We recommend that you responsibly address this issue, because not only a pleasant stay, but a quiet life for you and your neighbors depends on the correct installation.

The simplest design of a barbecue grill for a summer residence

Everyone knows that cooking on an open fire dictates its own rules, and safety measures should be above all . Therefore, to begin with, take a closer look at which side the wind direction prevails, and set the hearth so that the smoke does not blow into your house or neighbor's, and also does not fall into the recreation area.

Also, you can not install a barbecue area near the house, wooden and flammable objects near trees and among flower beds, toilets or garbage containers.

Do-it-yourself grill smokehouse from cylinders

Of course, it is better to organize the hearth zone near the gazebo or covered recreation area, it is also possible near the summer kitchen. It’s also a good idea to have a canopy at a safe height, because it can always protect your grill from rain and extend its life, and you will create a favorable climate in any weather. And if you still manage to place a table and a couple of benches on the leeward side, then the barbecue area will be perfect.

We have selected some of the most affordable ideas for creating a grill stove from the most affordable, and even junk materials, which one of them may turn out to be within your power.

3. Creating a grill from a gas bottle

Grill from a gas bottle

This is one of the easiest and less expensive ways to make a grill stove with your own hands, if you have a grinder and a welding machine, and of course a gas bottle. Since it is made of thick metal, the finished structure will also be able to withstand high temperatures without the risk of burning the walls and bottom of the grill and undesirable deformation of the finished product.

When working with a gas cylinder, you must follow the safety rules

The only thing is that when working with such a container, you must be very careful and not neglect the safety rules. To do this, it is imperative to leave the empty cylinder open for a couple of days, then carefully twist the tap and pour water into it. Since propane-butane residues are lighter than water, they can be easily drained, but do not completely empty the cylinder, but start carefully sawing with a grinder at the right height. Of course, the smell of gas will be creepy, but it is not explosive. Some craftsmen advise filling the balloon with sand, but this is a longer and more laborious process.

Assembling the structure of the grill from a gas cylinder

To organize sufficient ventilation, it is necessary to drill holes at the bottom, and also make several holes of the required diameter for installing the legs, which will also act as holders of the grill. But for this you have to weld the nuts, and then just screw the rods. It is also desirable to weld or screw on the side holders so that the cut off cap is fixed on the bottom of the cylinder.

Gas cylinder grill stove with wooden table

Gas cylinders inspire many summer residents to create a fairly practical grill, so we have collected the brightest models that can really amaze and serve as an interesting idea for creating your own personal masterpiece.

Original grill model made from a gas bottle by a creative artist

Universal grill made from a gas bottle that can also be used as a barbecue. | Photo: grounde.ru.

4. Metal Barrel Barbecue

Cut to create a grill lid of your choice

This is a safer way to make your own grill, but this construction is less durable, because the walls of the barrel are much thinner than the cylinder. But he also deserves attention. To create a fairly roomy grill oven, you will need a 200-liter barrel, which you can probably find at home. But we strongly recommend choosing a container after using food products, because those barrels where fuel, engine oil or any other chemicals were stored will have to be cleaned for a very long time and thoroughly.

The grate can be installed both on brackets and on a specially made frame

The base for the barrel grill can be of different configurations

Then come up with a base on which you will fix the entire structure and install the lower part, having previously drilled holes for air ventilation. Then you need to install the brackets on which the grill will lie, as well as the lower rack for placing coals, because in this case you can provide better air circulation. On the cut top of the barrel (in which holes were also made), weld or screw stainless steel hinges.

One of the options for making a grill from a 200-liter barrel

When the grill oven is assembled, a fire must be lit inside to get rid of the old paint or coating, and of the remnants of what was previously stored there.

When creating a grill, do not forget about the ventilation holes

Then, sand it well, wash it, screw on the handles and install the temperature sensor, then paint the entire structure with heat-resistant paint. Such a measure is necessary not only to give an aesthetic appearance, but also to protect the grill from rust.

Grill, made of stainless steel

Coptilla of two barrels

Original grill of the metal capacity of the titanium

5. Grill-barbecue of brick

9000 suburban area.

It is difficult to overestimate the brick model of the grill, because it is not only an environmentally friendly material, but it has a very aesthetic appearance. Such buildings do not require any special qualifications or any permits and are more or less affordable financially.

Next to the grill, you can build a real outdoor kitchen

And its most important advantage is its versatility. By and large, this building can easily be turned into an outdoor mini-kitchen by combining several zones - a work table, the hearth itself, which can be used as a barbecue and as a barbecue, and even as an ordinary oven. If you make a major canopy, then it is quite possible to install even a sink and several shelves for storing kitchen utensils, storage for firewood and appliances for servicing the hearth.

For the construction of the grill, use only oven bricks

To build the grill itself and related structures, you will need fireclay bricks (furnace), which can withstand large temperature changes. To create the same foundation, you will need but, cement, sand, clay, rebar, crushed stone and small stone. In advance, you will need to purchase metal corners, several gratings and valves, as well as a sheet of thick iron for overlapping.

An interesting option for building a brick barbecue grill

If you still decide to make niches and a work area, you will need a stone worktop, doors, boards for shelves and all kinds of handles. We will not describe the entire construction process, because the following photos and videos will clearly show how this is done. We also picked up some original options for arranging a mini-kitchen in the fresh air.

Brick laying pattern for grilling

Plan for the construction of a barbecue grill on a summer cottage

The original version of creating a barbecue area from bricks

a way to organize a barbecue area with a brazier made of a concrete structure in the middle

Do-it-yourself elementary hearth structures made of stones

Recently, outdoor fireplaces have become increasingly popular. Such buildings are made of natural or artificial stones. The construction method differs from masonry in that you will need formwork (wooden panels) to fill the foundation and to create even walls.

Universal outdoor fireplace made of natural stone

Masters advise to carefully and competently install and fasten the formwork frame from the inside, so that it can be removed without any problems at the end of the work. Such a street design will always have a beautiful, solid and, one might say, an old look.

Such fireplaces will decorate any backyard plot

Therefore, if you want to give your plot a special style and color, then you can use this option to create a barbecue area, decorating it accordingly.

Universal grill oven made of concrete construction

The simplest aerated concrete grill

SteakMaster REDMOND grill: the best ideas for your holiday

The main holiday of the year is over, the New Year holidays have quickly flown by, but there is still a whole series of favorite holidays ahead of us and, for sure, many family celebrations and friendly meetings. Very soon it will be possible to gather friends and relatives to celebrate Defender of the Fatherland Day, International Women's Day, and, by the way, even on Valentine's Day you can have a noisy fun party if you have not met your soul mate yet.

To make each holiday special and memorable for you and your guests for a long time, try adding a little creativity to the traditional celebration with a classic feast. And in case you don’t have new interesting ideas for parties, but still want to add originality to the holiday, REDMOND has an excellent solution. To arrange an enchanting, unforgettable and, undoubtedly, delicious holiday that will leave many pleasant memories, the SteakMaster home electric grill will help. This multifunctional device will make it as easy as possible to bring the freshest and most modern ideas for your party to life.

Holiday style grill party

The most important component of almost any celebration is treats, and if you want to bring novelty to the holiday, then you should start with them. Instead of the usual salads with mayonnaise, pastries, and oven-baked meat and poultry, try cooking more trendy dishes that will be in line with the current trends of modern restaurants.

For example, grill bars and steak houses are very popular now. Therefore, real steaks with a stunning corrugated crust and fragrant grilled dishes are the win-win option that will not leave guests indifferent. For a grill party to be truly successful, the dishes, and especially the meat steaks, must be cooked to perfection. SteakMaster M805 will help to cope with this task 100%.

Steak Master

This powerful grill will allow you to treat yourself and loved ones to juicy steaks of the right roast whenever you want, without spending a fortune on visiting restaurants and steakhouses. To make a first-class steak, you just need to put the meat on the grill panel, close the lid and select the meat roasting program. The device will automatically determine the thickness of the piece, bring the steak to the desired level of doneness (rare, medium or well done) and display the degree of readiness on the display. It remains only to remove the meat from the panels in time!

Guests can also participate in the steak cooking process. Believe me, for many this will be great entertainment - the opportunity to feel like a true culinary master creating a gastronomic masterpiece. Moreover, with the SteakMaster grill, even a beginner can make the right Ribeye - juicy, with tender pink meat inside and with a delicious crust.

Favorite barbecue in the dead of winter

A grill party is also a great option to celebrate if you and your loved ones yearn for summer picnics and outings with kebabs and barbecues. The M805 panels can be opened up to 180° and grill meat, fish and vegetables just like a real barbecue grill.

A compact grill can be placed on the table right in the living room, cooking will be as comfortable as possible - no soot, fumes and smoke. For convenient frying, make skewers, after stringing shrimp, scallops, pieces of salmon, chicken, zucchini, cheese on skewers. Or simply arrange slices of food on plates so that each guest can choose their own ingredients for the dish.

As a dessert for such a homemade "picnic", make a barbecue of fruits and berries. Due to the high content of natural sugar, fruits caramelize almost immediately and acquire a delicious crust. This light delicacy will be the best end to a hearty meat dinner.

Brings joy all year round

Even when the holiday season comes to an end, SteakMaster will not go to dust on the shelf until the next party, but will benefit you every day. With it, you can not only fry steaks and barbecue, but also bake dishes like an oven. You can easily cook pilaf, casseroles, stew vegetables and meat, make ratatouille, lasagna, or even bake cheesecake and cookies. It is enough just to put the products in a foil mold and place it between the grill panels.

M805 heating elements are built directly into the panels, so the grill maintains a stable temperature without fluctuations throughout the entire cooking time. As a result, the dish is baked evenly throughout the volume.

By the way, an electric grill will bake many dishes faster than a conventional oven. The panels of the device are adjacent to the form with the ingredients at the same time from below and from above, due to which the baking time can be reduced by 2-3 times! For example, a golden brown casserole with potatoes and cheese will be ready in just 15-17 minutes. In addition, the grill heats up in a matter of minutes, even up to a maximum temperature of 240°C, which allows you to start cooking almost immediately after switching on the appliance.