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Build
a Barbecue
There's
nothing to beat the aroma and favor of food cooked
outdoors over charcoal. Here you can follow GHI diy consultant Brian
Cassidy as he shows how to build your own backyard barbecue.
Build
Your own barbecue and you can chose the size and height to suit
and also create a permanent, hardwearing structure. You can either supply
your own grilling and charcoal trays or use an inclusive kit, as
we have here. This does not, however, include bricks.
What
You Need
-
About
80 straight-edged fire-resistant bricks ( about 20-25 from
local builder's merchant ). If you prefer bricks to look weathered,
check if your supplier sells new distressed' bricks, or you may be
able to buy genuine old bricks. (But check that these are fire
resistant). Our suggestion for giving new bricks that
well-worn look is to paint them with a solution of yogurt in water (
about half and half); the bacteria wear away the surface of
the bricks.
-
Spirit
level.
-
Bolster
chisel and club hammer for cutting half bricks.
-
A
barbecue kit , or if you prefer, a sheet of metal or a baking tray
to hold charcoal and an oven shelf on which to cook food. ( Kits
often cone with a base plate to collect ash, as well as charcoal
tray and grilling shelf).
Choose
the Spot
-
Pick
an open space with a firm surface near to the house.
-
Don't
site it near fuel storage tanks or containers of flammable
materials.
-
Position
it away from doors or windows ( including your neighbors) to
avoid smoke blowing indoors.
-
It
should not be set up in a totally exposed area.
-
Do
not place it near a fence or overhanging trees.
Course
of Action
-
Check
the size of metal sheet or baking tray, oven shelf, etc ( or the
items in your barbecue kit ) before staring to build.
-
For
the foundation, place a row of bricks around three sides; four
bricks along the back and two down each side ( see picture below).
-
To
build the first course lay brick diagonally across each back comer:
lay one at the center back and one and a half brick at the side (
see picture below). To cut a half brick, first score all round it
with a bolster, then tap soundly to break it in two.
-
For
the second course, place two bricks along each side edge and two over the spaces on
back. Remember to check that each course in even by using the spirit
level.
-
Repeat
these two courses until they reach the required height for the
charcoal tray about 10 courses up (see picture below). Attach the
metal support strips for the charcoal ( baking ) tray, if supplied
in kit, according to instructions. Otherwise turn two full-sized
bricks on each side of the barbecue at right angles to face inwards
and support your tray.
-
After
a couple more courses, insert cooking shelf, using strips or support
bricks, as before.
-
Build
a further three or four courses to act as a windshield.
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