How to Build an Outdoor Barbecue

By building an outdoor barbecue you will add a decorative element to your yard and will also give yourself another cooking option. Grilling can give you flavors that ovens can't produce. Follow these procedures for building your outdoor barbecue.

Things You'll Need

• Cement
• Mortar
• Wood
• Pencil
• Trowel
• Bricks

Instructions

1. Pick a good location for you barbecue. You will want it to be easily accessible, so put it near your house. Also, pay attention to the way that the wind blows in this area. You might want to build the barbecue so that you are facing the house or another wall when you are cooking. This will prevent the smoke from blowing back at you.

2. Build the base. Dig a 4-foot by 4-foot hole that is about 4 inches deep. Line the hole's walls with 6-inch tall pieces of wood. Mix some concrete and pour it into the box that you just made in the hole. Allow the barbecue time to dry.

3. Lay the first two layers of bricks, but don't use any mortar on them. Use a pencil to draw the outline of the bricks on the cement so that you will know exactly where the bricks will go.

4. Lay the first layer of bricks with mortar. You will want to put about half an inch of mortar between the bricks.

5. Add more levels to the barbecue. You will want to scrape off any excess mortar as you go along. It will be a lot easier to get off now than it will after it has started drying. Also check the level of the barbecue every few levels to make sure that its level.

Tips & Warnings

• When you are building the cement platform for your barbecue, leave the top at a slight slant. This will prevent water from building up.

• Don't build the barbecue under any trees or ceilings.