Making a Barbecue

Step 2: Laying the bricks

Lay a course of bricks or other building materials around the edge, bedded on mortar below. A typical size would result in nine bricks in each course.
Lay a further four courses of bricks, overlapping as on a house wall, using half bricks to stagger the joints.
At all stages check regularly with a spirit level.

Step 3: Finishing off

The sixth course of bricks are laid sideways making a ledge in and outside the walls.
Lay a further course the right way round and check again that the charcoal tray will fit on the ledge.
Lay about four more courses with alternate layers sideways. This makes further shelves for the grilling tray to be raised higher or lower and to add a warming tray above.
In warm weather cover with plastic to keep damp until set.
Allow to dry for a week before use.
Tip: Line the steel try with aluminium foil for an easy clean out of charcoal.
If you wish, build a further small wall at one side and rest a slab across to a barbecue shelf to make a useful small table, or fit cupboard doors underneath for storage.