DIY Brick Barbecues
A brick barbecue is the perfect complement to any yard, and the enjoyment of having one is only increased when it is one that was created from your time and effort. Should you be handy working with tools and cement, you will find that building your own brick barbecue is extremely simple to do yourself.
Items You Will Need:
- Gravel
- Metal Barbecue Grates
- Bricks
- Mortar
- Cement
- Straightedge
- Square
- 4’ level
- Float
- Trowel
- Wheelbarrow
- Cold Chisel
- Tape Measure
- Hoe
- Stiff Brush
- Determine the size of the barbecue and where it will be placed using your metal grates as a guide. Clear away grass and debris from your selected area and mark it. Excavate the selected area to an 8” depth. Compact the ground and level it. Add 3 inches of the gravel, making sure it is compact and level.
- Mix the cement according to the directions on the package. Fill the remaining depth of the whole to ground level. Using the trowel smooth and level the cement. Let the cement set for 1-2 days.
- Using the bricks dry fit them to the space. Place the bricks end to end around the concrete slab’s perimeter; leave a small gap between each brick for the mortar. Mark the outlines of the bricks for use as a guide when laying out the bricks.
- Prepare the mortar according to instructions on the package.
- Using the trowel lay out ample amounts of mortar along your guidelines. Gently press the first brick into the mortar. Apply mortar to the end of the next brick and place it next to the first firmly. As you work, remove any excess mortar. Continue applying mortar and placing bricks until the first layer is complete. Make sure that whole layer is square and level; should you need to adjust bricks tap them with the handle of the trowel.
- Apply mortar to the top of the previous layer. The remaining layers will only be built on the outer and backside walls. Press the first brick into the mortar. While doing this be sure to stagger the joints. Continuing laying out the bricks in this manner for the next two layers. Should the bricks need to be cut to fit make use of your cold chisel.
- Apply mortar to the top of the previous layer and continue placing your bricks. For this layer and subsequent one turn a few of the bricks so they go into the barbecue. These juts will be support for the grill grate. Continue laying down the bricks in this manner until your barbecue is your desired height.