How to Build a Brick BBQ with Chimney?

If you’re wondering how to build a brick BBQ with a chimney, look no further. There is a good place to learn that. There is something special about the flavor of food prepared over an open flame, particularly if the fire comes from a brick barbecue. While you could go out and purchase a typical barbecue to mimic the flavor, why not stand apart? How many people have brick-style barbecues, much fewer ones with chimneys, in their backyards? What if we told you we could show you how to construct one?

It would help if you first created a foundation that can support the barbecue’s weight before you can build a brick barbecue with a chimney. Applying bricks in layers or courses is the next step, and make sure you build it to the appropriate height for you. The last touch will be a chimney, which you will then add.

How to Build a Brick BBQ with Chimney?

Starting your Brick Barbecue Construction

This project is a really simple one. However, because it is made of brick, you must take great care to ensure that the structure is balanced, particularly around the chimney. Don’t worry; we’ll talk about that later.

Step 1: Select The Location

To determine exactly where you want to build your barbecue, stroll around your yard and look around. However, bear in mind that it must adhere to regional rules and ordinances. For instance, local ordinances may stipulate that chimneys cannot be taller than 3 feet and barbecues cannot be placed closer than 10 feet to a house.

When choosing a location, keep the following in mind:

Do I wish to amuse people while I cook?

Which area of my property appears to be the levelest?

Where could I place it such that trees wouldn’t harm it in case of terrible weather?

Don’t worry if you can’t find a level place to set up your barbecue. Most individuals must level the ground before building, and we also offer guidelines for leveling and excavating.

Step 2: Measures

The size of the concrete slab needed for your foundation must then be determined. You can use a few metal grill grates for this.

Make a mark there. Place bricks along the perimeter and a metal grill grate on the ground. Additionally, each side of the brick border needs to have a brick applied. They will, however, lie horizontally rather than vertically like the others.

Measure things. Make sure you measure from end to end of the horizontal bricks when determining the width of your bricks. After that, measure front to back to estimate depth. To ensure that you don’t forget these measures for the following stage, record them somewhere.

Step 3: Release The Concrete

Remove any rubbish or grass from the area before excavating or pouring the foundation. Your project will proceed much more smoothly as a result.

Put your measurements to use. It would help if you now moved those to your ground using the identical techniques you used in the previous phase. Use a string-attached metal or wooden stake to do this.

Dig the region under. It would help if you now excavated the entire region. Make sure to dig down around 8 inches. This will ensure that the ground can be leveled and a load-bearing foundation can be constructed.

Include pea gravel. Add the pea gravel. When spread out over the region, it should reach about 3″. Once you’ve got the proper quantity, you’ll need to compact it using a tamper until the site is level.

Cement mixture To complete this project more quickly, it is better to use cement that dries quickly. To ensure you mix it properly, read the manufacturer’s directions.

Cement is poured. The remaining portion of the hole will be filled by sprinkling cement over the gravel until it reaches ground level. The cement is level and smooth by working the top with a trowel. After that, give the region 48 hours to heal.

Step 4: Lay The First Brick

The mortar must be prepared following the manufacturer’s instructions before you can start laying.

Along the lines you’ve drawn, apply the mortar. With your trowel, scoop a sizable amount of mortar. Make sure the mortar is applied in a straight line to the cement.

Bricks are placed. The first brick should be softly pressed into the mortar.

Apply more mortar. The brick’s end will need additional mortar applied with your trowel. Apply the following brick next. As you go, scrape off any extra mortar with your trowel.

Continue until done. Once you have successfully laid the first course around the barbecue’s base, repeat these steps.

Make sure everything is level and square. Not double-checking your work as you go is the worst error you can make. Bricks that are out of place can be adjusted by tapping them with your trowel. If you must take it out and replace it, don’t feel horrible about it. Throughout the process, you can find yourself doing that multiple times.

Making Brick Marks

It’s preferable to perform a dry run before permanently fixing the bricks to the concrete. To accommodate the mortar, leave about 12″ of space between each brick as you place them around the border of your concrete.

Mark the corners of your barbecue and the locations of the walls using chalk. Before doing this, though, make sure all of your corners are exactly 90 degrees. When laying your bricks, use this marking as a reference.

Step 5: Keep laying out your courses

Your barbecues’ exteriors and the back walls will be used to build the remaining courses. You may access it for fuel, clean the ash, and install the grates while the front is still open.

Use mortar. Apply mortar to the top of the first course of bricks you just finished laying with your trowel. The first brick should be pressed into mortar. You must, however, be careful to stagger the joints this time.

Utilizing a cold chisel, cut the brick. If the brick doesn’t fit well, you can use a cold chisel or a wet saw to cut it if necessary.

Continue doing so till you are done. Bricklaying should continue until all of the courses have been applied. Depending on how high you need your barbecue to be to access it comfortably, a different number of courses will be laid out. Keep in mind to scrape away any extra mortar as you go.

Step 6: Set your Course Towards Success

As you complete the bricklaying, you will need to turn a few bricks to make a ledge to hold the grill grate. On the inside of the grill, the brick should protrude a little. Ensure that you complete this for every level. A grate should have room to sit.

Bricks should be laid continuously until the desired height is reached. You can have space for cooking and utilize various heat intensities by selecting a variety of heights. However, it should be emphasized that you must use firm bricks to lay your last course of bricks. This is done to ensure the building is finished and sturdy enough to add the chimney.

Step 7: Finishing your Barbecue’s Base

After choosing your final course, you must use a jointer to strike the joints. This will enlarge the mortar’s concave depression. You must complete this task before the mortar has had a chance to dry, though. With a stiff brush, remove the last particles of mortar after the cement is almost fully dried. Cleaning brushes with steel bristles are ideal for this.

Step 8: Adding the Chimney

The municipal building codes in your area will determine the height of your chimney. Before you start, you should verify with the local authorities.

Start the smoke chamber at the grill’s top. You’ll begin constructing the chimney for your barbecue, where you lay the firm bricks.

Assemble the chimney’s exterior and flue. For the flue, you are free to utilize a metal pipe; alternatively, you might build it out of bricks, a flexible pipe, or a hose. As the smoke and hot air ascend, you must check the hose you chose to ensure it can tolerate extremely high temperatures.

Flashing around your chimney is a good idea, and you should add flashing where your chimney meets the top of your barbeque. Additionally, consider where you’ll put the chimney cap. Use a silicone waterproof caulking compound to seal it after that.

Cover the chimney. The cap should protrude from your chimney’s walls by around 2 inches, and this will aid in preventing the entry of both water and wildlife.

What Kind of Equipment do I Need to Build a Brick Barbecue?

It’s not as difficult as it may appear to build your brick barbeque, but you will need some tools to complete the task. If you enjoy DIY projects and home improvement, you may already be familiar with some of these tools. Here is a list of the equipment you will need if you plan to construct a brick barbeque in your garden:

  • For mixing the mortar, you will need a full shovel.
  • Use a bricklayer’s trowel to spread mortar over your brick base.
  • For maintaining your structure straight and level, use Spirit Level.
  • For hammering bricks into position, use a club.
  • If you wish to trim the bricks to size, you can use a bolster chisel.
  • Bucket trowel: helpful for smoothing and blending mortar
  • Hose pipe length helps create a clean joint between your brickwork.

What are the Supplies Required to Build a Brick Barbecue?

The supplies you need to construct a brick barbecue are not numerous, but it is always a good idea to be ready. How many bricks are needed to make a brick barbeque is an often-asked question, but this obviously depends on preference and whether you’re also building a prep table.

You will need at least 100 bricks to build a brick barbeque, but if you want to make it taller or with a prep table, you can need as many as 150. Of course, you’ll need a barbecue cooking set, which should include at least one grill and two if you also want a warming rack, and it should also have a tray for coals. For the mortar, you’ll need building sand and cement, but you’ll also need fishtail wall ties to hold your building together and give it more strength.

What is the Additional Cleaning Advice for your Brick BBQ Pit?

Do you require any additional advice for maintaining a safe and clean BBQ? What you need to know is this:

Because the bricks of the building barbecues are so delicate, you must use a brush with soft bristles when cleaning them. Do not use steel brushes when grilling, and otherwise, each cleaning will cause the brick to deteriorate.

To prevent an “accident,” wear gloves, glasses, and a mask at all times.

Barbecues made of brick require more upkeep than those made of stainless steel.

After every use, you should remove the embers and clean the walls. Additionally, regular cleaning should be done at least every five usages.

In particular, if you host a lot of barbecues, inspect the structure at least once a year to ensure there are no fractures.

Conclusion

As with any DIY project, there are several things you need to plan before you start building your BBQ. To create the BBQ of your dreams, you should first identify a suitable spot in your garden, measure it, and mark it.

Owning a barbecue with a chimney will improve not only your cooking abilities but also the appearance of your backyard! If you enjoy having a delicious lunch with friends and family, stop contemplating and start creating! Follow our step-by-step instructions to create a grill lasting many years. Anyone can accomplish this; you only need a few tools and some basic knowledge!