Introduction: How to Build a Brick BBQ

Nothing quite compares to a warm summer afternoon spent in the garden with the great tastes of barbecued meat and salad treats. Do you not have a permanent barbecue and are fed up of buying disposables? Your old barbecue is on the way out? Or, you simply fancy a DIY project this summer, then I have the perfect solution for you. No need to dash to the local garden centre and pay an extortion on a pricey barbecue – how about setting aside one day to spend in the sun creating your very own rustic and sustainable brick BBQ. All you need is a few skills and tools; this is something anyone can do!

Step 1: Step 1: Foundations

To begin with, lay out the foundations of the bricks for the barbecue on a level and solid base using a simple cooking tray as a guide to determine the size and placement. It is important to be careful with laying out this first level of bricks to assure the correct size and position you wish to achieve with your barbecue.

Step 2: Step 2: Mixing Mortar

Blend together five parts sand to one part cement whilst adjusting it with a sustainable amount of water to acquire a firm stability. Then, to achieve a straight guideline for laying the first set of bricks of your barbecue, use the spirit level to mark the outer edge in the cement. Remember to double check the level before and after the bricks have been laid to assure that the corners are at right angles.

Step 3: Step 3: Structural Strength

Thirdly, to give the finished structure additional muscle insert a metal tie into the mortar to connect the inner wall to the longer wall.

Step 4: Step 4: Building Up

Then by starting at the corners you can begin layering the rest of the bricks. Lay the first brick by pushing it gently into the mortar and apply a small layer of mortar to one of the following brick before connecting it to the previous brick and pressing it into the mortar.

Step 5: Step 5: Keeping a Level

It is important that in the process of making your barbecue that you check that each of the corners is vertically straight. You can do this by using a spirit level. To ensure that the end result is square you should check all angles of the barbecue. You want it to be perfect after all!

Step 6: Step 6: Height and Support

Build up the walls to around seven courses of bricks. Then you can turn some of the bricks side on to create a platform for the charcoal tray or add in metal pegs – very important part. After an additional three courses of bricks you may add another set or pegs or bricks side on to support the grill tray.

Step 7: Step 7: Finishing Up

When you have completed your barbecue, check all the levels again and then neaten up any edges that you wish to if you want to achieve a more professional appearance. For a useful extra, add a handy work surface by cementing a large paving slab on top of the walls. This gives a smoother area for you to work with.

Step 8: Step 8: Enjoy!

Last but not least, have fun with it! You can paint the barbecue to blend in to the garden, or leave it the way it is for a rustic and homemade look. And remember to invite all your friends and family over ASAP so you can boast about how you made the barbecue with your bare hands!