Your BBQ and grilling exploits don't require a premium barbecue—in fact with a little scavenging you can be sporting a spacious grill for very little cash outlay. Follow this simple tutorial to turn a 55-gallon drum into a grill.


Barbecuing is a forgiving process. You need meat, heat, and a place to combine the two for an extended period of time. A steel 55-gallon drum has a large volume—great for keeping a stable temperature—and a broad cross section for laying out a variety of cuts and burgers.

Johnny Blegs, an industrious tinkerer, put together a tutorial at the DIY site Instructables which takes you from acquiring a drum all the way to putting the finishing touches on your new grill. If you scavenge carefully, as he did, you can get your hands on nearly all the parts for free. Even if you're not as lucky, it's not an expensive project given the size of the grill you end up with. Check out the tutorial for additional photos and tips.


Have experience building grills or outdoor ovens? Share the wealth in the comments below.

How to Build Your Own BBQ Barrel [via Make]