Building Your Own Bbq
Most people really like bbqs.
Being outdoors while in the great weather, cooking over a fire, discussing the day with friends and family - what’s not to adore?
And also the nice thing is, it takes just a few hours to construct yourself a excellent bbq which might be fired up year in year out, giving you a center point for the entertaining.
A trip to the DIY Shop gives you the things you’re going to need.
Put aside a day (or even two if you need to level a bit of your garden), and get to work.
When you’re stoking up the coals and the burgers are on the grill, your toil will certainly all seem worthwhile!
What You’ll Need
Bricks, sand, cement
Barbecue grill set
Spirit level
Shovel and trowel
Plank of wood
Masking Tape
Best places to Site Your Bbq
Look for a flat location away from your house, outbuildings, trees, or other structures.
Barbecue smoke will certainlyto wander in through open windows therefore make an effort to position so this won’t be a issue.
Don’t neglect your neighbors - they will often not appreciate your barbecue smoke billowing through their fencing so evaluate the blowing wind and which location would be best as a measure to minimize this.
Build on a Flat Surface
The best way to make sure of a flat surface would be to construct your bbq on an already level courtyard or back yard location.
In order to site it on grass, you’ll have to dig it out, fill it with stones and then cover the hole by using paving or concrete.
Use your spirit level to ensure it is completely level.
When it isn’t, make use of a layer of the concrete to even it out.
How big a Barbecue?
How big your bbq will really depend on the size of the barbeque grill you select.
When you’ve purchased your barbeque grill, lay it on the flat location you’re going to site the barbecue on.
Position a single layer of the bricks around the grill - creating a U-shape around three edges and leaving the front clear.
Mark the outer edge and the the inside edge of the stones by using masking tape.
This will be your guideline when laying the bricks and mortar.
Take away the layer of bricks and place them back with the rest.
Getting going
Blend the sand and cement as per the manufacturer’s directions.
Spread evenly the first level of mortar on the ground while using masking tape as your guideline.
Place the bricks on the mortar, leaving ½ inch gap in between each brick for more mortar.
Check the level once again and ensure that the corners are at right angles.
The Height of the Barbecue
Because you’re the one who’s probably be doing the barbecuing, use your height to evaluate how high the actual bbq should be.
Arrange for the grill/grate supports to be about waist height - that’ll help you save bending too much as you bbq.
Layer the actual Bricks
Lay the stones, beginning on the corners.
Stagger the second layer - you can do this by cutting and using half bricks at the ends and complete stones in the middle.
When you’ve laid four or five courses of bricks - staggered each time lay a length of wood across from one side to the other and employ a spirit level to check they are still level to each other.
Then use the spirit level vertically to confirm that the sides are upright.
Any difference in height should be equalized out using mortar.
Carry on laying the stones and mortar until you’ve done six or seven courses or are near your waist height.
On the left-hand and right-hand sides of the walls as you face the bbq, move the stones sideways so they make a support for the charcoal tray, jutting out from the rest of the wall.
Measure the width of the grill once again to make certain that it’s going to fit.
Lay another three rows and turn the bricks sideways once more - on this occasion so that they will support the grill tray.
Add two more layers of bricks and mortar and you’re done!
Finishing Touches
Go around the walls of the barbecue, taking off the rugged mortar edges.
You can do this as you go along using a short length of hosepipe and dragging it along each of the horizontal and vertical joints.
If you have the room, bricks and inclination, you could lengthen the brickwork out over the left or right of the barbecue to produce a table top, using a paving slab as the work surface.
When you’ve built your barbecue, dust off any stone dust with a soft bristled brush or paintbrush.
Do this carefully and thoroughly
You’ll have to leave the barbecue not less than three days prior to using it as the mortar needs this period of time to set and dry.
Once you’ve anxiously waited three days, you’re ready to go, so phone your friends and family, head to the grocery store and prepare to enjoy the great outside together with your newly constructed bbq.
Bon appetite!
