Want to bring the fun of Japanese yakitori grilling into your home with your own yakitori grilling project? Here’s everything you need to know to get your project off the ground.
The yakitori grill is the perfect snack or appetizer.
The word yakitori literally means “grilled chicken,” but that name detracts from the variety the grilling method offers.
Traditional yakitori grills are perfectly rectangular clay boxes, and they’re only a few feet long and a few inches wide.
This small size allows the user to prepare small skewers, each taking only a few minutes to grill.
Similar to hibachi, but the main difference is that skewers allow the meat to sit over the fire rather than directly on it or on the cooking grates.
But YOU want to make your own on the kitchen or dining room counter for social occasions so everyone can have a great time grilling their own food.
I’ve really enjoyed my own DIY grill and smoker projects in the past, but many of these can be unrealistic for people who don’t have a lot of land or balcony space.
So today I wanted to put together something that can be used on small patios and balconies or even indoors.
These DIY Yakitori Grills are small and functional, and most importantly, fun!
What is yakitori grill?
The yakitori grill is similar to Korean grilling in that it has a community spirit and the allure of cooking as you eat.
However, what really sets it apart from Korean crickets IS that it’s primarily prepared with skewers.
This is not as limited as it might seem, however, as a wide range of meats and vegetables can be creatively prepared yakitori-style. Read on for some of my favorite yakitori grill recipes!
You can also make your own yakitori grill
Store-bought yakitori grills are pretty cheap( like this one ), but what’s the fun in that?
Additionally, real and authentic yakitori grill models can also cost closer to the $300-$400 region.
So to come up with your own version that won’t break the bank, let’s take matters into our own hands and get our hands dirty. We have successfully made our own pellet smokers and DIY offset cookers, and homemade yakitori grills are much more effective to assemble.
I will introduce two styles here. One will be a “clean” style that is portable and can be used both indoors and outdoors.
The other one I will explain is a solid version built out of bricks.
Let’s get into that!
How do I make a wood panel yakitori grill?
To start, we’re going to form the main part of our grill using a hotel griddle. If any of you have in the catering or in the kitchen, then you should give them credit.
Kitchen pans are used to hold and store food, and occasionally even for cooking. What makes them perfect for our DIY yakitori project is that they are made of steel and are sturdy.
Ideally, YOU want something that is rectangular in shape and about 4 to 6 inches deep, like this one.
Place the pan on a paving stone.
Cut down an 8 foot pine board to create a frame for the four edges of the hotel tray.
Use aluminum foil tape and fiberglass insulation to line the inside of your wood frame. This helps protect the wood from heat and potential fire.
Finish it off with some decorative brass corner fittings.
How to make an outdoor brick yakitori grill?
For this you need a few useful materials, some of which you may already have lying around:
- Boards or planks of wood
- Stone or Brick Paving(1.5″ x 15″)
- Brick
Build a platform with your wood. The ideal height is about 12 inches. Nothing too high.
Place cobblestones on the platform. YOU should only need one pair together. Place them in the middle leaving some space all around for the stones.
Lay bricks, edge down, around the perimeter of the pavers. Place two bricks on each end and then another row of bricks on the inside.
Make sure skewers fit through the width of your grill.
How to use your brick yakitori grill
Light some coals in a charcoal fireplace(about two-thirds full should be enough). When finished, slowly pour the coals into the bottom of the grill. Make sure to cover the bottom of the grill before you start stacking them on top of each other. Check out our guide to using a charcoal fireplace for more information.
Allow your coals to cool to coals before placing your skewers on the grill.
Here’s a quick tip. If you place the skewers directly on the stone you risk burning and even breaking them, also try covering the top of the stone with aluminum foil. This should help protect them enough to keep them in place.
Another quick tip is to stack the coals a little higher on one of your grills. This way YOU can turn up the heat to quickly brown your food when it’s ready quickly. This will help give your food that nice charred look when served.
You can add some smoked wood to give your meat a little more flavor. Just a hint of hickory should add another hint of smoky flavor.
Writer & content creator. BBQ fanatic!
