Pick Your Materials: Brick
Price: $$
Brick is a good choice because it’s handsome, it retains heat well, and, as a fire-hardened material, it doesn’t readily break down when exposed to the elements. Look for “facing bricks,” which are both a structural and a finish material the ones shown here have recesses that hold mortar. Achieving uniform courses may require above-average DIY skill.
Recipe: Route 66 Burgers
1 ripe beefsteak tomato, about 6 oz., cut crosswise into 4 slices
1. Combine the sauce ingredients.
2. Mix the patty ingredients and gently form four patties of equal size, each about inch to 1 inch thick. With your thumb or the back of a spoon, make a shallow indentation about 1 inch wide in the center of the patties to prevent them from forming a dome as they cook. Refrigerate the patties until ready to grill.
3. Prepare the grill for direct cooking over medium-high heat.
4. Grill the patties for 10 to 12 minutes over direct medium-high heat until cooked to medium doneness, turning once. During the last 30 seconds to 1 minute of grilling time, place a slice of cheese on each patty to melt, and toast the buns, cut-side down, over direct heat.
5. Build each burger on a bun with sauce, a lettuce leaf, a tomato slice, and a patty. Serve warm.
History In The Americas
Grilling has existed in the Americas since pre-Colonial times. The Arawak people of South America roasted meat on a wooden structure called a barbacoa in Spanish. For centuries, the term barbacoa referred to the wooden structure and not the act of grilling, but it was eventually modified to “barbecue”. It was also applied to the pit-style cooking techniques now frequently used in the southeastern United States. Barbecue was originally used to slow-cook hogs however, different ways of preparing food led to regional variations. Over time, other foods were cooked in a similar fashion, with hamburgers and hot dogs being recent additions.
Edward G. Kingsford invented the modern charcoal briquette. Kingsford was a relative of Henry Ford who assigned him the task of establishing a Ford auto parts plant and sawmill in northern Michigan, a challenge that Kingsford embraced. The local community grew and was named Kingsford in his honor. Kingsford noticed that Ford’s Model T production lines were generating a large amount of wood scraps that were being discarded. He suggested to Ford that a charcoal manufacturing facility be established next to the assembly line to process and sell charcoal under the Ford name at Ford dealerships. Several years after Kingsford’s death, the chemical company was sold to local businessmen and renamed the Kingsford Chemical Company.
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Upcycled Wood And Brick Outdoor Kitchen
If youre feeling like a wonderful space to set cooking tools, fill pots, and everything else you need to fashion a fantastic BBQ, this amazing DIY outdoor kitchen is what you are looking for.
With the leftover wooden posts and old bricks, this outdoor kitchen can perfectly surround your grill. Besides, a durable concrete countertop and a convenient outdoor sink, give you even more options for storage and serving.
Will You Have Room For Storage
Before you purchase the first storage cabinet for your outdoor kitchen, think about the grill and the sink. Both of these appliances will need lines ran to them for them to work. Oftentimes, water or gas lines take up more real estate than is expected, leaving you with an area underneath that cannot be used for storage.
If this is the case, your only option may be access doors that will allow you to access the area underneath.
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How Will You Use It
As with any major home improvement project, you need to sit down and work out what you want to achieve at the end. There’s a big difference between cooking basic barbecues and producing a range of foods in a variety of styles using state of the art equipment.
Are you cooking for your family, small gatherings of friends or large groups? Deciding these things early on will help you pick the size and extent of your equipment. Do you just need a barbecue and fridge? Or, do you want outdoor preparation surfaces, an oven and storage space? Do you want a fire pit surrounded by lots of seating, comfy outdoor sofas for drinks or a chic outdoor dining table?
Top tip! Whatever you decide, do try to install a sink. It makes food prep and cleaning up a whole lot easier.
Do You Want It To Connect To Your Current Kitchen
If the answer if yes, consider a design that allows the two to merge seamlessly to create one large, awesome entertaining space when you open the doors. This is a great way to make your house seem bigger too.
You could create clean lines by having your counter-top and work surfaces continue from inside.
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Building The Perfect Backyard
This often ranks pretty high on most people’s wish lists. It’s hard to beat a day spent outdoors with cold drinks on tap and the smell of steaks sizzling away. Who wants to be stuck inside the whole time anyway?
It’s no secret that the best back yards go the extra mile by having amazing outdoor kitchens. More and more homeowners are investing in having one of these modern setups built in their garden.
Whether you want to master a pizza oven, become an expert on the power burners or a maestro at the searing stations, it’s not too late to make your dream backyard dining setup a reality.
In fact, 3 out of 4 households in the US already own a grill and use it on average at least 5 times a month. So why not take your alfresco eating and entertaining to the next level?
Here is 8 ideas to consider when building your outdoor kitchen:
Lay Bricks End To End Around Perimeter Of Slab
Pour the Concrete Slab
Using metal grill grates as a guide, determine the size and placement of the brick barbecue. If you desire a barbecue with walls thicker than one course of bricks, account for that now. Mark off the area and clear away all grass and debris from the site. Excavate the area to a depth of 8. Use tamper to level and compact the ground. Add pea gravel to a height of 3 then compact and level with tamper.
Mix fast-drying cement according to manufacturer’s directions. Pour on top of gravel until the hole is filled to ground level. Smooth and level the cement pad using a trowel. Allow cement to cure for 24-48 hours.
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Lay First Brick By Pressing It Gently Into Mortar
Lay the First Course
Prepare premixed mortar according to manufacturer’s directions. Trowel a generous layer of mortar along the marked lines where the bricks will sit. Lay the first brick by pressing it gently into the mortar. Apply a layer of mortar to one end of the next brick before butting it against the first and pressing it into the mortar. Remove excess mortar as you work. Continue working in this fashion until the first course has been laid around the entire base of the barbecue. Check to make sure the course is square, plumb and level, adjusting a brick by tapping with trowel handle.
Homemade Grill Island Plans You Can Build Easily
Installing a grill island in your yard is a rewarding project that will give you a focal point for cooking and spending time with your family, and it can even add value to your home.
Furthermore, if you build it yourself, you can install something that suits your needs perfectly while also saving yourself plenty of cash and if you want to know how, here are 17 plans that will teach you everything you need to know.
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Full Weber Kettle Station
Longstanding fans of the Weber Kettle should jump at the chance to replicate this stripped back wood island for their beloved cooker. Full plans and how-to guide can be found a ladygoats.com.
Ginas design uses a cedar fence picket top but can be swapped for a concrete counter. The grill lip rests on the structures bolts, so doesnt carry any safety concerns around grill-to-wood contact.
Propane Or Natural Gas
Gas grills come in propane and natural gas varieties. If you are making a permanently mounted gas grill then you can forgo the changing of propane cylinders in favor of a natural gas grill. This means running a gas line from your house to your grill area. The gas line can be connected from anywhere after the main regulator to the location of your grill area. If you want to run this line yourself you will need to get your local gas utility to inspect the line before you cover it up. Contact your local gas company about gas line specifications in your area or hire a certified contractor to run the line for you.
If you choose to use refillable propane tanks on your gas grill you will need a ventilated place to store the tank. Propane tanks must be stored in a safe place that maintains a temperature below 125 F/50 C.
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Metal Parts For Charcoal Grills
Give the metal parts some thought when planning your charcoal grill. You might want a cooking grate that is adjustable to give you that extra level of cooking control. A crank-driven adjustment would allow you to change the level while cooking and give you the ability to sear close to the flame and rise up, away from the fire to finish foods off.
If you want to use a rotisserie, there are many units on the market, you need to make sure that you can mount it properly and that it is stable enough to spin any food you might want.
When it comes to the metal components you need to choose a metal that will last. Cast iron is great for cooking but will rust if not properly protected and cared for. For this reason, a cover or lid will be very beneficial. When looking into fabricated metal parts, ask about a stainless steel lid to cover the grilling area.
Diy Weber Grill Cart Bbq Station
If you love grilling and have a Green Egg, you should consider this free grill station plan for up-cycling an old Weber grill to use in a DIY grill cart.
It is a small but mighty grill cart.
Built from wood and comes with hooks, a towel bar, open shelving, this cart will give you even more options for serving and storage. Watch the full video of DIY Grill Station Cart and start DIY it now.
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- Location of the Concrete Cinder Block BBQ. Pick up a grill grate on Amazon. Choose a spot with good drainage and accessibility including access to water for cooking and cleaning.
- Build the Base. Dig a depth of 10 to 12 inches of dirt from the area you’ve just marked off. Build a frame that you’ll use to build the base. Create a mix of 1/2 gravel and 1/2 sand in a wheelbarrow and shovel this mix into the bottom of the trench.
- Lay the Chimney. Use the 7 chimney blocs to lay the chimney. Position the smoke inlet opening close the where you’ll be installing the metal grate for maximum airflow.
- Build the BBQ. Lay the first row of concrete cinder blocks on the foundation to build the sides of the fireplace. Keep building upon the rows making sure each row is level before working on the next one.
- Install the Grate. Insert the grate. If it doesn’t fit, you may need to stack concrete blocks inside the pit. The height of 3 blocks all around should work fine.
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How To Work With A Contractor To Build A Grill Island
When in doubt, work with an expert. Find a contractor with experience whos familiar with outdoor kitchens. Many contractors will also have CAD capabilities which can be helpful for visualizing the final layout of your space before the building process begins.
As we mentioned earlier, its easy to jump to design, finish options and layout, but we recommend starting with the basics first.
- How will you get power, gas and water to the grill location?
- What local codes will you need to consider?
- Will your outdoor kitchen be properly protected from the elements?
A good contractor will know to take these details into consideration, but it never hurts for you to keep these tips in mind when working with them.
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Diy Patio Cooler Cart
This DIY project made out of cart wood has a cooler box and a BBQ cart in one. It lets you have a bit more counter space to work with when grilling as well as storage space for grill accessories. It also uses cedar to withstand the elements and enhance the nice look.
This Patio Cooler Cart shared by Brad is simple to DIY. With only five steps, you can work out something that can serve as a patio as well as a grill cart:
- Build the cooler base
- Make grill storage bay and shelf
- Build the patio cooler lid
- Install the cooler drain and lower shelf
- Finish and add hardware
Too Much Counter Space What Have I Done Said Nobody Ever
Half the fun of any new outdoor kitchen is stocking it far and wide with crafty new toys . Better pump those brakes in all the excitement of designing a dream outdoor kitchen, many clients forget the importance of empty counter space. Where else will you prepare and serve food, store overflow trays for grilled grub, or keep favored utensils in reach? While planning that patio paradise, ensure you leave ample counter space for easy and convenient outdoor cooking biased or not, Future You is already toasting to your eternal wisdom.
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Super Easy 10 Step Diy Outdoor Kitchen
You can build your own outdoor kitchen in just 10 steps! And, the steps are all pretty simple. This one has a wooden base, that you make from plywood and you can easily adjust the plans to make it larger or smaller to meet your space and cooking needs. Add a rinsing sink and a mini fridge and you have everything you need for outdoor entertaining.
Plans: ronhazelton
Portable Terra Cotta Pot Grill
This little grill can be made with an inexpensive terra cotta pot and its perfect if you want something that fits right on the table. You can make it whatever size you want, depending of course on the size of your terra cotta pot. Aside from the pot, you just need a rack for holding your food and if you are using a rather large pot, you can add some old bricks to the bottom to help fill up the base and hold in heat. Add a non electrical refrigerator using terra cotta pots and you have your own little outdoor kitchen.
Tutorial: thekitchn
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Diy Poured Concrete Outdoor Kitchen Countertops
With just a few bags of concrete, you can construct your own little outdoor kitchen. This project only takes a couple of days including drying time for the concrete. Once you have the countertops completed, you just add your grill and other outdoor kitchen appliances. The concrete is perfect for outdoors because it wont rust, crack or otherwise succumb to the weather.
Plans: homedepot
Choosing Design Before Considering Function
When it comes to designing your outdoor kitchen, you most likely have a long wish list of features and appliances you want in your outdoor island, as part of your plan to make this space the ideal entertainment and cooking setting. However, you also need to consider the practical aspects of building an outdoor grill island, including what you really need in terms of features and functionality and the space you have to build in. Choosing design and accessories over functionality and practicality may mean that you end up with an inappropriately sized outdoor island thats difficult to cook in and enjoy, or a kitchen island that doesnt have all the features you really need. If youre short on space but big on ideas, its worth speaking to a professional outdoor BBQ island designer to make sure you fit in all your features without sacrificing functionality.
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Diy Stone Grill Station
This amazing DIY project uses ProBond Advanced to upgrade the movable grill to a stone-covered grilling station. It features a simple built-in look full of gray and white bricks and looks like a very fancy outdoor kitchen.
You can start by building a frame to fit under the two sides of the grill and then attaching a stone veneer. Be careful to measure the dimensions correctly and make sure to add middle support for more stability.
It is also a nice thing to hear that you can build this beautiful stone grill station for around only $150.
