Introduction: Tabletop Sand Grill

About: Hello! I am a general hobbyist of technology I have just recently graduated from college! I enjoy challenging builds and wish to share mine with you!

Having a small open tabletop grill can be a great centerpiece for any outdoor setting. When looking at the sand it almost takes you back to camping on the beach with a small campfire. I think guests are even more surprised to see it work. I was inspired to make this after visiting a Korean BBQ chain for the first time. It's really cool how you and your friends can all grill on a small tabletop grill rather than having to use a full sized one that only one person gets to operate. I infused this idea of Korean BBQ and a Edo Style Hibachi grill to create a extremely stylish and easy to make tabletop grill that is guaranteed to wow your guests when they come over.

Supplies

Here is what you will need to create a successful Tabletop Sand Grill

  • All-purpose Sand
  • A terracotta pot or terracotta saucer
  • Charcoal (preferably Lump charcoal)
  • 4 Terracotta Pot Feet (Will need more to lift your grill off the table if it is shallow like mine)

Optional Items

  • Extra Terracotta Pot Feet to lift your Grill off of the table (I used custom made concrete feet)
  • A grill grate

Step 1: Pour Sand Into Your Desired Container and Smooth It Out

Once you have your desired Terracotta Pot, (I used a 16 inch Clay Saucer, and a 6 inch Standard Clay Pot), pour your sand in pot. Make sure that the sand is at least a half an inch from the top of your container. This is to prevent potentially hot sand from spilling over the pot.

Once you have poured your sand in your desired pot, its time to smooth it out and make any design in the sand that you want. I used my fingertips to create wavy divots in the sand. This is just purely for aesthetic.

Do this for all of the containers that you will be using. If your pot have a draining hole in the bottom of it make sure that you plug it up somehow. For my 6 inch Standard Clay pot I just used a piece of aluminum foil to cover up the draining hole.
Once you have all of your pots filled place them in their respective spots. For example I placed my 6 inch pot towards the edge of 16 inch clay saucer.

**Note: If you are using Pot Feet to elevate your grill off of the table make sure that you put them on before placing the sand in your pot.**

Step 2: Place Your Grilling Supports

At this point you can use some of those Terracotta Pot feet to use as grilling supports. I placed two of them besides each other so that I could have more grilling space. I used four in total. When placing the terracotta Pot Feet in the sand make sure that they are deep enough in the sand that they don't fall over at the slightest touch.

For this part you don't have to use Pot Feet you could shape a piece of metal if you have the tools to do so. Just make sure that the metal will be food grade safe. There are also lots of other options that you could explore too, get creative!

Step 3: Light and Place Your Charcoal

Like any other grill you need some type of heat source. Light your charcoals like you would any other grill. I would suggest not using lighter fluid though and instead opt to use a charcoal chimney with some crumpled up newspaper or wax Firestarter.

I used Pok Pok Thaan Thai Style Charcoal Logs which burn for a long time.

Step 4: Start Grilling

The final step is to find something to throw on the grill. I used some thin cut Sirloin pieces that were marinated in teriyaki sauce.

Remember that it doesn't just have to be a grill. Charcoal is just like any other heat source and can heat up other things too. For example I placed my teapot on the upper portion of the grill. After a while I even added a grill grate so that I could put one of my mini cast iron pans on there.

Get Creative!

Barbecue Speed Challenge

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Barbecue Speed Challenge