How to Build the Best Outdoor Grill Using an Old Oil Barrel

Wash the oil drum thoroughly with warm water and liquid dish soap to remove any grease or contaminants on both the inside and outside. Allow the drum to dry fully.

Measure the circumference around the drum with a cloth tape measure.

Divide that number by three and then drill holes with a 1-inch step drill bit through the side of the drum, about three inches up from the bottom, at that interval so you have proper ventilation for the fire. For example, if the barrel has a circumference of 30 inches, drill a hole every 10 inches around the bottom of the barrel.

Use a screwdriver to pop off the rubber gasket on the inside of the oil barrel's lid if it has one. The lid is later used to help kill the fire when you're done grilling or to keep smoke in the barrel when you're smoking the meat.

Drop clean wood and some newspaper into the barrel and light a fire in it to clean out the inside further and remove any remaining debris. Light the fire outside to avoid an inside fire. Place the drum on bricks if you do this procedure on a lawn so the heated barrel doesn't damage the grass.

Divide your circumference by four and then drill more holes into the barrel at those intervals to support the grilling grate. The height depends on your personal preference. If you like smoking food, drill the holes about seven inches from the top so it is further away from the flame at the bottom of the grill. If you prefer grilling over smoking, lower the grate so it's closer to the fire when it burns. Once the holes are drilled, insert 1/4-inch bolts and a lock washer through the barrel and tighten them with nuts so they don't fall out.

Place a grill grate into the barrel so it rests on the bolts you just inserted. Position a flexible metal mesh onto the grate so it stands as a cylinder and forms a barrier between the food and the walls of the drum. This mesh can be found at hardware stores. Bolt the mesh together so it forms a tight circle and won't break apart.

Drill another hole into the barrel at the same level as the grill grate and insert a pit thermometer so you can see the temperature from the outside of the barrel. Bolt the thermometer in place.

Paint the outside of the barrel however you want to decorate it. Be careful that paint doesn't get inside the barrel through the drilled holes.

Place fridge magnets over each of the holes at the bottom of the barrel. The magnets allow you to control temperature. More air means a hotter fire, while plugging the holes causes the fire to die down.