Backyard patio/BBQ finally finished

[flusher]

Installed the gas grill and the smoker in the BBQ pit yesterday.
Will give the grill a test run this weekend if the rain stops (first rain since May).

 

[scott_vt]

Hey Flusher,
Very nice job !!! Kind of curious what type finish you used on the outside of your cinder block ?

Thanks for sharing your photos !

 

[EddieWalker]

Flusher,

Your pictures are too small to see anything. Anyway you could post the finished ones as single links?

Thanks,
Eddie

 

[flusher]

Hey Flusher,
Very nice job !!! Kind of curious what type finish you used on the outside of your cinder block ?

Thanks for sharing your photos !

The stone facing is just drain rock left over from installing the septic system leach field last year. Just used thinset mortar mixed with enough water to make it really sticky.

Don't know how that facing will weather, but winters are pretty mild up here in the North Valley (no freezing/thawing problems).

I originally planned to used that cultured stone stuff (concrete cast in moulds and colored to look like stone). It would have been easier and quicker that way, but a lot more expensive. The masonry pit has about 120 sq ft of surface area and that cultured stone stuff is about $4-5 per square foot. I figure I spent about $50 in materials doing it with single stones. It took about 5 days to install the facing working at my ususal slow pace. But I'm retired, so time wasn't a problem.

 

[flusher]

Flusher,

Your pictures are too small to see anything. Anyway you could post the finished ones as single links?

Thanks,
Eddie

Sorry 'bout that. Here're the big ones. Enjoy.

 

[Trahere]

Well, thats just great you used up all of the small rock in the world! Just like all of those lamps in Florida with she-shells! Git my drift?

 

[Timber]

Well, thats just great you used up all of the small rock in the world! Just like all of those lamps in Florida with she-shells! Git my drift?

Looks like one for the fire pit thread to me LOL, Nice job man looks sweet

 

[3RRL]

I'll tell ya flusher, that is one nice looking BBQ and the entire patio area looks great. Great job man. I like the drain rock finish on the BBQ, it's unique.

 

[BTDT]

I see your profile says your a retired engineer. You must have been one of the few hands on kind of guys. Nice job. Did you do the cinderblock work yourself? That's one thing I have never done was any kind of masonry, bricklaying, etc.

 

[rico304]

Very nice Flusher! I'm impressed with your vision to reality. I have never seen one like that. Looks awesome.

 

[EddieWalker]

Flusher,

Thanks for the bigger pictures.

The rocks sure give it a unique look. With the pavers and the tiles on the counter, you really got it to blend in real nice. Sort of like it belongs there.

Good job,
Eddie

 

[flusher]

I see your profile says your a retired engineer. You must have been one of the few hands on kind of guys. Nice job. Did you do the cinderblock work yourself? That's one thing I have never done was any kind of masonry, bricklaying, etc.

I'm not much of a bricklayer or mason, but cinderblocks are not too hard to set. Take your time and check the level and plumb frequently and you generally do OK.

Hardest parts for a senior citizen like myself is lugging the blocks around and mixing the mortar.

I spent a lot of time working in the General Engineering Labs at McDonnell Douglas during the days of Gemini, Apollo, Skylab and Space Shuttle. Had to be handy with hand tools, machine tools, welding/brazing/soldering, etc. Spent a lot of time coordinating the precision work in various machine shops around the facility. Wore workclothes like the union guys. Didn't start wearing an engineers uniform like Dilbert until I was about 15 years into my career when I left the labs and started working on big projects (laser weapons, fusion energy, Star Wars neutral particle beam weapons, etc.).

 

[flusher]

I'll tell ya flusher, that is one nice looking BBQ and the entire patio area looks great. Great job man. I like the drain rock finish on the BBQ, it's unique.

I checked out the patio kitchens at Barbeques Galore, Home Depot and Lowe's. Way beyond my budget and not really what I wanted. My aim was to use the drop-in idea you find in the patio kitchens but include the options for quick cooking with the gas grill and/or slow cooking with the smoker.

The gas grill comes from Home Depot (CharBroil) on sale for about $99.
The smoker comes from WallyMart for about $79.

The gas grill just has a couple of brackets attached to support it off the tile countertop. Ditto for the smoker.

Had to modify the smoker. Added a handle to work the vent on the small firebox on the left side of the smoker. Removed the elbow chimney on the right side of the smoker that comes with the unit and sealed that hole with a steel plate. Cut another 2" hole and used some 2" steel flex hose from McMaster Carr to carry the smoke from the cooking area to the chimney flue.
Probably should install a spark arrestor (wire mesh) on the output end of the chimney. We all worry about grass fires here in the North Valley.