What do a wok, concrete bricks and a metal drum have in common? They can all be turned into a do-it-yourself barbecue.
Outdoor barbecues are great in the summer. You can cook a relaxed meal outdoors, enjoy the full smoky flavors of the grill, and catch up with friends and family in the cool of the summer evening. While there are plenty of barbecues available for purchase, many are quite costly. If you are an avid do-it-yourselfer, there is no fun in just purchasing a barbecue. Why not utilize those do-it-yourself skills to make your own outdoor barbecue? Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Recycled Wok Barbecue
1. Find a large wok, either salvaged from a thrift or bargain store, or one from your kitchen.
2. Place the grill plate over the wok opening. The coals will sit inside the wok and your food will cook on the grill plate. An old oven rack or cake rack can substitute for a grill plate.
3. Sit the wok on top of the metal cart so that it has a fire-proof base. Metal carts, such as tea carts, can be found at thrift stores and most kitchen stores.
Cemented Outdoor Barbecue
4. Place the grill plate on a concreted or paved surface, such as a patio, where you want your barbecue. Dry set a row of concrete blocks around three sides of the grill plate, with the front side left open.
5. Dry lay the concrete blocks, staggering the joints, so that you have a three-walled barbecue about 35 inches high.
6. Mix the surface bonding cement as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Cover the entire concrete block walls with a half-inch thickness of the cement, smoothing it over with the trowel. Cover about six inches of the surrounding surface with the cement as well. Let cure for three days.
7. Lay a base of firebricks inside the walls of the barbecue, then line the walls to about 30 inches with firebricks, just dry-setting them one on top of the other to form an insulated fire box. Place the grill plate on top of the firebrick walls to finish your outdoor barbecue. You can build a fire on the firebrick base of the barbecue, or alternatively inset a second grill plate at around 20 inches height on the firebrick wall to place the coals on, before continuing building the wall to the full 30 inches high.
Metal Drum Barbecue
8. Cut the drum in half lengthwise with the metal saw, then rasp the edges of one half to remove any jagged edges. The other half can be disposed of, used to make a second barbecue, or even reattached later with hinges for a lid if desired.
9. Center the drum, open side upwards, on top of the metal cart. Drill four holes through the drum into the cart, and bolt the drum down onto the cart. Drill another four or five smaller holes around the base of the drum for ventilation.
10. Place the grill plate over the top of the drum opening. The fire or coals for the barbecue will go inside the drum, and the food will be cooked on the grill plate on top.
Tags: grill plate, Place grill, Place grill plate, about inches, your outdoor barbecue, cart Drill, concrete blocks