DIY: How To Build A Braai

Step 1

Make a wooden frame to act as a template guide to the dimensions of the grill kit. Lay the bricks out dry (without mortar) to enable the correct brickwork bond to be determined. Bed the bricks on a bed of mortar made up of 5 parts soft building sand to one part of cement, with plasticizer added to keep the mix supple.

Step 2

Use a spirit level to ensure the brickwork is level and plumb. Use a paving slab to act as a tabletop. Lay the slab down as a guide to the independent leg position. You can use a 1 x 0,6m paving slab, or a 0,6 x 0,6m slab.

Step 3

To get the brickwork bond correct, it is necessary to cut half bricks. Cut these on a soft surface with a bolster chisel and club hammer. Wear protective clothing for this operation.

Step 4

When you have built the brickwork to the correct height for the slab table, turn some of the bricks, so that they act as corbels (supports) for the table and the grate. Ensure that you measure the width of the grate so that you will be sure of a good fit once the grate is in place in the finished barbeque.

Step 5

Repeat the corbels two courses up to support the braai grid. Again, measure the position of these carefully.

Step 6

Two more courses of bricks are required to complete the barbeque. Option: Push four metal pins into the mortar below the top course of brickwork to support a warming griddle shelf.

Step 7

Set the paving slab on a bed of mortar to make a tabletop alongside the main body of the barbeque. Leave the brickwork to cure for a couple of hours. The area under the slab can be used to store wood/charcoal.

Note: Visit Gansbaai Build It and purchase a solid metal base that will fit into the brick supports. This will be used to build the fire on. Also, purchase a metal grid that is placed on the upper level of brick supports that the food is placed on for cooking. A second solid metal base can be placed on the metal pegs above the cooking grid that can be used to keep cooked food warm.

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