Interesting design ideas and rules for making do-it-yourself barbecues
It is difficult to imagine life in the countryside without cooking over an open fire or coals. On weekends, many go to the dacha to make barbecue, and those who have their own plot can cook poultry and meat in the yard at any time. For these purposes, a brazier or grill serves, which you can either buy or make yourself.
How the grill works
Before starting construction, carefully study the principle of construction. A simple grill consists of 5 parts:
- Firebox. These are the inner walls that directly contact the fire. It is best to make the cladding of refractory bricks. Pulling the inner wall forward relative to the outer wall allows easy access to the grill grate.
- Grill grate. It can be either cast iron or stainless steel. Lies on corner strips screwed into bricks.
- Foundation. It consists of a layer of concrete on top of compacted rubble and holds the entire structure.
- External walls. They surround the firebox on one side, protect against flying sparks, and also significantly reduce the consumption of firewood. Often they act as a firebox if there are no internal walls.
- Ash pan. It is a metal sheet on which fuel burns. Placed under the grate at a distance of about 30 cm.
Choice of materials
The most budgetary material is concrete blocks. It is recommended to lay them inside with refractory bricks.
The exterior is usually made of natural stone. This natural material is non-toxic and keeps warm well. It takes a lot of time to install, however, the result is worth the effort.
Ceramic brick is the most popular material. It looks beautiful, is not afraid of open fire and retains heat perfectly. We recommend that you first read about the basics of brickwork in order to avoid mistakes in building a structure.
Where to place the brazier and how to heat it
During installation, basic fire safety rules must be observed. Do not place the grill near wooden fences and walls of the house. It is best to choose an open area with no low hanging tree branches. Check the wind rose - the smoke and smell of food should not fly towards the house or recreation area.
Never eat charred meat. This increases the risk of developing cancer.
If they grow on the site fruit treesthen you already have the ideal kindling material. Dry firewood stored after trimming will add a pleasant aroma to all dishes. You can use purchased ready-made coals, but the taste of food from them may not change for the better.
Provide a compartment for firewood in the design, where they will be easily accessible.
Barbecue improvements
To expand the functionality of your stove and give it an original design, you can add several modifications:
- the spit will cook a large piece of meat evenly;
- the chimney removes harmful combustion products away from the dining area;
- brazier fireplace is a stylish and grandiose structure, where the grill grate is located inside a homemade fireplace.
Allow to cool for at least 48 hours before discarding used coals. Even if they seem cold, they can stay warm for up to several days.
Tips for handling barbecue
Several recommendations will make it easier for you to interact with the barbecue and help you use it more efficiently.
We recommend getting long tongs that can stir up the coals and move the grate. Forget about the short sticks and pokers that are often used when working with small prefabricated barbecues.
Always use gloves, best of all special for the barbecue, which do not burn well. Read: how to make a bbq barbecue!
Use a steel brush to clean the grate. It removes carbon deposits and food debris well. When the rods are cool, sprinkle them with sunflower oil to prevent rust. Do not be lazy to always remove ash - it accumulates odors that negatively affect the taste of food.
Do not install the grill in closed rooms. A high concentration of carbon monoxide, even with ventilation, can end in failure.
The barbecue area will become a cozy place where you can gather in the evening, look at the fire and eat meat with a smoke. By choosing a home-made option instead of a purchased one, you can implement all design and functional ideas for the full use of the structure. Do not be afraid to experiment, because any idea can be brought to life.