BUILD A BRICK BARBEQUE

It’s that time of year when we think of swapping our frying pans and ovens for a barbecue. Not only is it a healthy option, but it's a fun way to cook when the sun is shining. Building a barbecue is a relatively easy project, requiring a minimum amount of skill and DIY knowledge.
Take care when using sand and cement as this contains lime and can cause burns or irritation to the skin and eyes. Always wear goggles and gloves when handling cement and when cutting bricks.

If you want to make the barbecue a more permanent feature in your garden the solution is to build your own. A well-built barbecue will provide you with hundreds of char-grilled meals, with the advantage of not having to worry where to store it every winter. Here are some simple instructions for building a basic brick barbecue.

BUILDING THE BASE

• Begin by digging a small trench, approximately 12 inches wide by 9 inches deep, make it in the shape that you want your barbecue. You will find grill and hearth kits off the shelf at you local DIY store which will give you the shape and dimensions to work too. 

• Compact the bottom of the trench by stamping it down before filling it in with cement; you will need to use coarse cement, which can be
  bought ready-mixed so all you have to do is add water. 

• Shovel the concrete mix into the trench and tamp it down. 

• Check it is reasonably level and leave for a couple of days to harden. 

• Put some sacking or similar material over the top to protect it from frost or direct sunlight.
  If you are building your barbecue on a patio you do not need to construct a base, simply build onto it. You must however, check that it is level.

BRICKLAYING

• When the concrete has hardened start by mixing up the mortar for bricklaying. Adding mortar plasticiser will give a smoother mortar, making it easier to use. 

• Use the mortar to lay a row of bricks on top of your foundation, buttering the bottom and edges of each brick. 

• Constantly check, using a spirit level, that the horizontal and vertical surfaces are level. 

• Start with the corners of the barbecue structure, building them up at first, by three or four bricks before attempting to build up between them.

• Use a string line stretched across the two corners to ensure that they line up with each other. 

• You will need to build brackets into the second and third row of bricks from the top of the barbecue. The lower set will hold the fuel tray, while the upper set will support the grill - it is important that you place the brackets ensuring the tray and grill sit comfortably on them, making sure they are level. You can make brackets by setting bricks at right angles to the rest of the course.

• After every third row you should smooth the mortar between the bricks to give a flush and pleasant appearance - this is known as pointing. Dry lay a few rows at first to make sure you are happy with the shape and position before committing yourself.

• Point the vertical joints before starting the horizontal ones, lightly brushing any mortar off the surface of the bricks.

• You should leave the barbecue for at least 48 hours to harden before using it.

• It is possible if you are in a hurry to build a barbecue from bricks with them loose laid - think of a dry stone wall! 

All the above instructions apply except for the use of concrete and of course you can use it immediately. One built like this by the writer has
stood now for five years and has had very heavy use in that time without problems. However you must be aware of the potential danger inherent in this structure it is possible to knock it over with disastrous results. So if you have energetic children, boisterous dogs or drunken friends think very carefully before going down the mortarless route!.
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