Yakitori Grill DIY Tips
If you love trying out different food styles, you might have thought about trying out yakitori style Japanese food. Unlike with the regular food varieties that you can make at your regular kitchen, you will need to invest in a Yakitori Grill for you to prepare the food.
While grills are fun and easy to use, they are expensive. Luckily, if you don’t have the budget for it, you can make a cheaper one using these yakitori grill DIY tips:
Option 1: Use foil-covered bricks
Here you need to set two foil-covered bricks on grates of any grill, and you will have an elevated surface that mimics the steady but indirect heat of a traditional Yakitori grill.
You should then cover the bricks with two layers of foil and lay them 4 inches apart with the narrow sides facing down. Once they are in place, lay the skewers on the bricks and turn them as they cook.
Here is an example of someone doing something almost similar:
Option 2: Use refractory cement
The beauty with refractory cement is that it’s quick-drying, and you can make it into any shape you want. One of the downsides is that making a large grill from it can set you back almost $400. Which is more expensive than buying a grill.
You also have to be experienced with concrete to make the grill.
Option 3: Use regular concrete
If you are used to handling concrete, you can make a Yakitori grill from it. All you need is to mold the cement to your desired design then line the box with refractory bricks.
Although, these options require you to have some expertise, they can withstand up to 2000 F of heat, so you don’t have to worry about them breaking down.
Option 4: Use clay planters
Almost every homeowner has clay planters around the house. Did you know you can use them to make a Yakitori Grill at home? Here is a detailed explanation of how to do it.
Fun facts about Yakitori Grills
The grills became popular after the Second World War, and their impact led to easy access to bird meat.
Yakitori Japanese grills use binchotan charcoal made from Japanese oak trees. The charcoal burns harder and longer than other charcoal types. The charcoal is also less smoky, which makes it an ideal choice for indoor grilling.
How to get the most from Yakitori Grills
No one starts grilling expecting to burn their meat, right? The beauty of it is that there are several things you can do to get the most from your grilling. Some of the things you can do include:
Use the right accessories: One of the most attractive things about Yakitori is that it’s extremely simple. In most cases, all you need are skewers to rotate the meat over the flame. If you are scared of the heat, use a pair of tongs.
It’s also wise to have a grill basting brush if planning of using sauces on the meat. To save money, buy a grill toolset instead of buying each tool individually.
For a traditional experience, buy binchotan charcoal that is known to produce high-quality yakitori. Although it’s excellent, it’s expensive. Luckily, there are other cheaper options if you don’t have a large budget.
When it comes to skewers, use metal or bamboo ones. Regardless of the ones you buy, ensure they are long enough to hang outside the grill so you can easily rotate and move off the grill.
Although binchotan charcoal burns with little smoke, avoid using the grill indoors as much as you can. This is because carbon monoxide can be lethal, especially if grilling in a poorly ventilated room.
The only time you should use the grill indoors is if the manufacturer states it.
