[dropcap]I[/dropcap]f you love enjoying life outdoors with your friends, building an outdoor grill or buying the best portable charcoal grill could be one of the most amazing things to do. DIY outdoor grills are not only valuable but also inexpensive and functional and learning how to build one in a few easy ways could be the best step towards realizing your goals. As you start learning how to build, the first thing should be to understand the components of the unit as this is always the best way you are assured of success. Here are some seven steps to help you build your outdoor cooking station.
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Determine the desired location and size
The first step towards building an outdoor grill easily is to determine the size that you need. This will basically be determined by a number of factors including your available space and how you intend to be using your grill. If your available space is small and limiting, then you’ll need a small BBQ grill or still see whether you could settle for the best portable charcoal grill and only build a slab for it. Whichever the case, level the ground and then build a concrete base.
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Go for fire-resistant mortar
There are different kinds of mortars available and when making a selection, you will need to go for a fire-resistant one. Considering that you outdoor grill will be generating a lot of heat while cooking, you need to ensure that the fire is safe and no chance of having it go out of control.
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Look for grill inserts that are ceramic-coated
With different kinds of grills, you will need to look at the pros and cons of each and in this case, ceramic-coated ones are always better. Despite the fact that ceramic coated grills are a bit pricey, the truth of the matter is that they’ll serve you for long and won’t rust. Ceramic coated grill inserts do not need to be replaced after every now and then plus they do not wear out easily.
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Keep the sides perpendicular
As you build the sides using either bricks or stones, it is important to ensure that all sides are perpendicular. As such, you will need to keep checking the level to ensure that no one side is higher or lower than the other. If the walls are not aligned and level with each other, your outdoor grill will suffer damage at some point due to the tilt and growing pressure. It will also look odd
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Leave some air space
Air circulation is very important when cooking and as such, you need to leave some space below the area where your grill pan will be placed. A space of 2-3 inches is ideal especially when dealing with charcoal grills. Proper airflow allows your charcoal to burn longer without messing up with your cooking.
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Employ some creativity and use the right bricks
Bricks are available in different sizes, colors and designs but even in this, it will be good to choose quality over aesthetic appeal. You will need to strike a good balance between looks and quality and make sure your end product is appealing and durable. Always look for bricks that are specially designed for building outdoor grills as these can handle heat well.
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Give your grill time before firing
Once you finish building your grill, it is important to give it some time to cure and harden. I know you’ll be looking forward to hitting the road with a great outdoor experience but giving the grill a few days (7-10 days) will be necessary as it’ll allow it to harden and the joints to become firmer. Once it’s cured, you will enjoy it for many years with minimal maintenance.
With these simple steps, it is easy to build the best outdoor electric grill for yourself and save a lot of money in the process. Try is and enjoy a great experience.
