Discussion
I am thinking of having a bbq build ,in brick, in the garden.However I am bit unsure what 'style' would be best.Anyone got a BBQ like this and got any tips ? It wouldn't be me doing the work.
Or is a waste and maybe I'd be better getting something on wheels and I can stick in the garage when its not needed.
Or is a waste and maybe I'd be better getting something on wheels and I can stick in the garage when its not needed.
BEWARE!!!!
You must use the correct type of bricks. If you use bricks which absorb water, then when you get them hot, you will have to duck to avoid the flying shrapnel, which will zing round your head as if you were taking part in a western.
I don't know what the correct bricks and mortar would be to use, but I used the wrong ones!
After two seasons use the shrapnel BBQ was square outside and almost spherical inside, where all the bits of brick had shot off. I was pretty pig headed about it, and would light the fire and retire indoors until the shooting had died down.
You must use the correct type of bricks. If you use bricks which absorb water, then when you get them hot, you will have to duck to avoid the flying shrapnel, which will zing round your head as if you were taking part in a western.
I don't know what the correct bricks and mortar would be to use, but I used the wrong ones!
After two seasons use the shrapnel BBQ was square outside and almost spherical inside, where all the bits of brick had shot off. I was pretty pig headed about it, and would light the fire and retire indoors until the shooting had died down.
Paul Drawmer said:
BEWARE!!!!
You must use the correct type of bricks. If you use bricks which absorb water, then when you get them hot, you will have to duck to avoid the flying shrapnel, which will zing round your head as if you were taking part in a western.
I don't know what the correct bricks and mortar would be to use, but I used the wrong ones!
After two seasons use the shrapnel BBQ was square outside and almost spherical inside, where all the bits of brick had shot off. I was pretty pig headed about it, and would light the fire and retire indoors until the shooting had died down.
Isn't that the ideal BBQ? Wild, outdoorsman hunts meat (ahem, riding his metal steed to Tesco's) and cooks it outdoors. The frisson of danger from shrapnel would heighten the primaeval fleshlust that a BBQ should evoke. You must use the correct type of bricks. If you use bricks which absorb water, then when you get them hot, you will have to duck to avoid the flying shrapnel, which will zing round your head as if you were taking part in a western.
I don't know what the correct bricks and mortar would be to use, but I used the wrong ones!
After two seasons use the shrapnel BBQ was square outside and almost spherical inside, where all the bits of brick had shot off. I was pretty pig headed about it, and would light the fire and retire indoors until the shooting had died down.
ETA, given the weather this winter, porous bricks could suffer from terrible spalling as well...
Edited by nomisesor on Friday 11th February 21:44
nomisesor said:
Isn't that the ideal BBQ? Wild, outdoorsman hunts meat (ahem, riding his metal steed to Tesco's) and cooks it outdoors. The frisson of danger from shrapnel would heighten the primaeval fleshlust that a BBQ should evoke.
You're missing a trick there. Light the BBQ as the herd stampedes towards you, brick shrapnel rips through the herd killing some, then you cook them. dav123a said:
Spalling ?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spallhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freeze_thaw_weatherin...
ETA - of course both would be thermal spalling - inside from water being turned to steam, blowing off the face of the brick, and, in the winter, outside, water being turned to ice, doing the same.
Edited by nomisesor on Saturday 12th February 20:14
OP - going through a similar thought process myself
I'm going for a full on outdoor kitchen with BBQ & pizza oven
This is the way forward:-
http://www.fire-magic.co.uk/outdoor_kitchens_proje...
I'm going for a full on outdoor kitchen with BBQ & pizza oven
This is the way forward:-
http://www.fire-magic.co.uk/outdoor_kitchens_proje...
This is the best thing I've ever bought for the home!

We had 2 metal BBQ's both of which were crap. This one was cheaper than a decent gas one and does a much much better job.
Really easy to clean and it doesn't matter if it rains on it
You can get them from Teracotta Warehouse in Manchester (think they do mail order too).
http://www.terracottawarehouse.co.uk/masonry.html
Hope this helps!
Rick.

We had 2 metal BBQ's both of which were crap. This one was cheaper than a decent gas one and does a much much better job.
Really easy to clean and it doesn't matter if it rains on it

You can get them from Teracotta Warehouse in Manchester (think they do mail order too).
http://www.terracottawarehouse.co.uk/masonry.html
Hope this helps!
Rick.
Edited by RJD223 on Sunday 13th February 16:07
My Dad made a brick BBQ, great piece of work, but they are crap. He stopped using it and went back to a wheeled BBQ.
The person cooking always ends up stuck at the BBQ cooking, whereas the people are sitting down or milling around by the table, so the person cooking feels left out.
Also no hood so you can't do Beer Can Chicken or smoke ribs.
There is only one BBQ worth buying and it is the best BBQ bar none.
A Weber Kettle. Can be used for everything, is used by those that know i.e those that refer to it as a Braai.
Awesome bit of kit. Lasts for ever, cooks everything. Cooks everything perfectly (if you have a clue).

p.s Gas is ghey, it is for ghey's and although ghey men will try to tell you that Gas is ok for cooking meat, they are only really asking you if they can fondle your plums.
p.p.s No really....it is ghey.
The person cooking always ends up stuck at the BBQ cooking, whereas the people are sitting down or milling around by the table, so the person cooking feels left out.
Also no hood so you can't do Beer Can Chicken or smoke ribs.
There is only one BBQ worth buying and it is the best BBQ bar none.
A Weber Kettle. Can be used for everything, is used by those that know i.e those that refer to it as a Braai.
Awesome bit of kit. Lasts for ever, cooks everything. Cooks everything perfectly (if you have a clue).

p.s Gas is ghey, it is for ghey's and although ghey men will try to tell you that Gas is ok for cooking meat, they are only really asking you if they can fondle your plums.
p.p.s No really....it is ghey.
Edited by Zaxxon on Tuesday 15th February 17:15
I'd never go back to a charcoal BBQ.
I prefer the quick heat up time and adjustability of gas. Provided there's a layer of lava rock to catch the fat and smoke it back into the food, the results are as good as charcoal and easier to do.
I am keen on my cooking, I cook every day (but not on a BBQ!) and am very keen on taste. Call me names if you like, but I did have a Webber ( not a copy) and I know what I prefer. My BBQ is gas with lava rocks, cast iron griddles and a cast aluminium hood.
I prefer the quick heat up time and adjustability of gas. Provided there's a layer of lava rock to catch the fat and smoke it back into the food, the results are as good as charcoal and easier to do.
I am keen on my cooking, I cook every day (but not on a BBQ!) and am very keen on taste. Call me names if you like, but I did have a Webber ( not a copy) and I know what I prefer. My BBQ is gas with lava rocks, cast iron griddles and a cast aluminium hood.
dav123a said:
Mmmm Interesting 
I am only an our or so away from Manchester.Does it come in one piece ? Does it need to cemented down ?
It comes in several bits and needs assembling/motaring (sp) together then painting.
I am only an our or so away from Manchester.Does it come in one piece ? Does it need to cemented down ?
The taste of the food cooked on it, IMHO, is worlds apart from gas.
Get the packs of charcoal from Costco and it's really easy to get going.
There's nothing that'll compare

Paul Drawmer said:
I'd never go back to a charcoal BBQ.
I prefer the quick heat up time and adjustability of gas. Provided there's a layer of lava rock to catch the fat and smoke it back into the food, the results are as good as charcoal and easier to do.
I am keen on my cooking, I cook every day (but not on a BBQ!) and am very keen on taste. Call me names if you like, but I did have a Webber ( not a copy) and I know what I prefer. My BBQ is gas with lava rocks, cast iron griddles and a cast aluminium hood.
With a starter chimney you can be cooking in 20 minutes on a weber, and you can adjust the heat just as well using th eairvents on the bottom and the top. It also brings out the skill in Braai'ing. Cooking on gas doesn't give anywhere near the great taste of CharcoalI prefer the quick heat up time and adjustability of gas. Provided there's a layer of lava rock to catch the fat and smoke it back into the food, the results are as good as charcoal and easier to do.
I am keen on my cooking, I cook every day (but not on a BBQ!) and am very keen on taste. Call me names if you like, but I did have a Webber ( not a copy) and I know what I prefer. My BBQ is gas with lava rocks, cast iron griddles and a cast aluminium hood.
Zaxxon said:
My Dad made a brick BBQ, great piece of work, but they are crap. He stopped using it and went back to a wheeled BBQ.
The person cooking always ends up stuck at the BBQ cooking, whereas the people are sitting down or milling around by the table, so the person cooking feels left out.
Also no hood so you can't do Beer Can Chicken or smoke ribs.
There is only one BBQ worth buying and it is the best BBQ bar none.
A Weber Kettle. Can be used for everything, is used by those that know i.e those that refer to it as a Braai.
Awesome bit of kit. Lasts for ever, cooks everything. Cooks everything perfectly (if you have a clue).

p.s Gas is ghey, it is for ghey's and although ghey men will try to tell you that Gas is ok for cooking meat, they are only really asking you if they can fondle your plums.
p.p.s No really....it is ghey.
The person cooking always ends up stuck at the BBQ cooking, whereas the people are sitting down or milling around by the table, so the person cooking feels left out.
Also no hood so you can't do Beer Can Chicken or smoke ribs.
There is only one BBQ worth buying and it is the best BBQ bar none.
A Weber Kettle. Can be used for everything, is used by those that know i.e those that refer to it as a Braai.
Awesome bit of kit. Lasts for ever, cooks everything. Cooks everything perfectly (if you have a clue).

p.s Gas is ghey, it is for ghey's and although ghey men will try to tell you that Gas is ok for cooking meat, they are only really asking you if they can fondle your plums.
p.p.s No really....it is ghey.

There is only one other type of barbeque worth having as a man:

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