Backyard patio/BBQ finally finished

[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.