Braziers for summer cottages: a variety of types and self-construction

What could be tastier than charcoal grilled meat? This is perhaps the oldest dish in the history of mankind. The principle of its preparation has not changed for many, many centuries, but the methods of frying have undergone significant changes. Improved barbecues, grills and barbecues have thoroughly entered our life and are an indispensable attribute of a full-fledged outdoor recreation.

The homeland of the barbecue, as, in fact, of the barbecue itself, is the territory of the Caucasus. In literal translation "brazier" means "basket of coal", and this definition very accurately reflects the essence of the device. To date, stores offer the widest selection of barbecues of various shapes and configurations. They are made of metal, stone or brick, but the basic principle of meat processing remains the same - the products are pickled and then strung on metal or wooden skewers and fried, turning over steaming coals. Under the influence of high temperature, the workpiece is baked from all sides and covered with a juicy aromatic crust.

Barbecue ovens are more commonly found in Central America. They use a grate for cooking, which is placed on top of the coals at an insignificant height. The blanks are not pre-marinated, however, they are poured with a special sauce before frying.

Compared to a barbecue, a barbecue installation gives more scope for culinary imagination and allows you to cook a wide variety of dishes - not only meat and fish preparations, but also vegetables and minced meat products are fried well on a metal grill. If the structure is equipped with a lid, then you can even bake the whole chicken.

There is another difference between the two types of braziers - this is fuel. When working with a barbecue, charcoal and firewood are suitable, and the barbecue can be operated directly from gas. And although this option is more often used in cafes and restaurants where the use of open fire is prohibited, such options are increasingly gaining popularity among summer residents and owners of country houses. The owners of the barbecue do not store firewood and do not subsequently clean the brazier from coal. All they need is to connect the unit to the gas supply system. By the way, gas makes it possible to regulate the temperature inside the structure, thereby ensuring uniform roasting of meat or other products.

Barbecues are considered safer as no sparks are generated when the gas burns and no fire hazard occurs.

However, those who like to sit in a warm company in nature prefer a barbecue, because cooking a barbecue is not only a cooking technology, it is also a kind of sacrament that brings people together and creates a unique atmosphere of warmth, comfort and friendship.

Let's dwell in more detail on the types of barbecues and barbecues.

Before purchasing a brazier, you must be extremely responsible in choosing the right model.It depends on a number of factors: the availability of free space on the site, the ability to transport and move the barbecue from place to place, the size of the brazier, the range of dishes that are planned to be cooked on it.

It is customary to distinguish three main types of barbecues for summer cottages: stationary, portable and combined.

The mobile grill can be carried from place to place. Its distinctive features are light weight, ease of assembly and disassembly, and compactness. When assembled, they can easily fit into a suitcase or fit into the trunk of a car. However, for the manufacture of mobile barbecues, as a rule, a thin sheet of galvanized steel is used, and such products do not differ in strength, quickly burn out, become cracked, deformed and have a short service life.

The mobile grill visually looks like a brazier on wheels. This model is made from steel sheets of medium thickness and is a kind of compromise between mobility and strength. Such products are usually equipped with a countertop and have a special compartment for storing firewood and coal. Forged barbecues on wheels look very stylish and aesthetically pleasing. They embody the idea of ​​luxury and can be a stylish decoration for any landscape design.

The stationary barbecue can be called a kind of architectural form of the local area. This is an overall structure, which is traditionally built of brick or stone, although it can also be made of metal. Such a brazier implies the construction of a foundation, so it cannot move, hence its name is stationary.

Barbecues are also distinguished by a wide variety of models, depending on their functionality and user characteristics. Portable and stationary installations in a wide price range are widely available on free sale.

The main element of any barbecue is a brazier with a metal grate on which the workpieces are laid out. There are models where, in addition to these parts, there is nothing else, however, products with legs and a special shield that protect the flame from strong winds are more popular. There are also more complex mechanisms, including all kinds of shelves, lids, pans, as well as a grill and much, much more.

Consider the main barbecue modifications.

Disposable represent a tin pallet with a thin lattice placed on it. It is installed on a refractory base, and after use is thrown out, since the metal burns out and deforms.

Portable BBQ - a folding mechanism that is easy to assemble and fits into a small suitcase. The product is a grate with a brazier. It can be mounted in two different positions. Such models are very popular for relaxing with friends in nature.

BBQ cauldron - a design characterized by a more complex mechanism. It has a domed lid and if you close it, the roaster operates in the oven mode, which keeps heat for a long time and serves as an ideal device for cooking chicken or rather large pieces of meat.

BBQ cart - another complicated installation, which has a folding surface, and wheels, with which the model can be transported from one place to another.

Stationary barbecue, as a rule, it is made of natural stone or brick. They have devices for the preliminary preparation of products, as well as a countertop for guests. Basically, they are installed under a canopy or in a large gazebo.

The acquisition of a barbecue is not an easy task, it is necessary to take into account the most various design parameters: both material, and dimensions, and mobility.

Many gardeners are attracted by barbecues, which can be removed for winter storage. In this case, it is worth giving preference to models with a simple assembly and disassembly system, where there are no loops and clips for skewers - they quickly deteriorate and make it difficult to fold the mechanism.

And, of course, when purchasing a structure, you should pay attention to its geometric parameters. Experts advise purchasing barbecues with slots from the bottom - they contribute to the flow of air and maintain combustion. However, more and more users are rejecting such models, believing that the holes are absolutely meaningless, and sometimes even harmful. If they are located on the sides, then the meat is fried for a very long time, and if the blowing is formed from below, then this often causes the appearance of a flame, which can not only spoil the product, but also lead to burns.

The optimal height of the barbecue also causes a lot of controversy. Many users believe that the minimum that ensures the preparation of delicious barbecue and fuel economy is 13-14 cm.If this parameter is higher, then you will need too many coals that will burn and smoke for a long time, and meat processed in this way will be more likely , dried rather than fried.

Equipment with a cover makes the unit easier to use, but adds additional weight to the structure.

Particular attention should be paid to the material from which the structure is made. Cast iron is considered the most suitable - it retains heat for a long time and saves the consumption of coal and logs. It is a very durable product that retains its high performance characteristics for decades. However, such models are very heavy, so they are not suitable for moving and using on hikes and trips.

Brick barbecues are more popular. They are also practical and durable, do not crack under the influence of temperatures and retain heat for a long time. However, they are susceptible to the damaging effects of moisture, therefore, they can only be installed under a canopy.

The operational characteristics of metal braziers completely depend on the thickness of the walls - durable, but heavy with thick walls and light, but flimsy - with thin ones.

Thus, we will designate the main parameters that you should pay attention to when choosing a barbecue or barbecue:

• full set;
• safety of use;
• practicality;
• ergonomics;
• durability;
• optimal dimensions and weight.

Also, many need additional functions, which are provided only for certain models of barbecues, namely:

• skewer and grill included;
• the ability to transform into a portable suitcase;
• the presence of a cover;
• special cover;
• stand for products;
• compartment for storing coal, firewood or gas cylinders;
• wheels for moving the barbecue;
• chimney.

Some models come with a variety of accessories:

• thermometer probe;
• poker;
• scoop;
• a shovel for blowing up coals;
• forks, shoulder blades and tongs;
• stand and holder of the cauldron;
• a special baking sheet for frying small pieces;
• heat resistant and much more.

Nowadays, the selection of barbecues and barbecues is huge. Models differ in purpose, technical parameters and performance characteristics. Each one is presented in a wide range of prices, therefore, if desired, any consumer can purchase what is beneficial for him.

A brazier built of brick or stone is more than just a brazier. This is a multifunctional structure that, depending on the owner's wishes, can be used as a grill or barbecue.

Before proceeding with the construction of the installation, it is necessary to purchase all the required consumables.

Give preference to fireclay bricks, and use a sand-clay mixture as a binder solution. In places where the brickwork does not come into direct contact with fire, you can replace the fire-resistant stone with ordinary red brick.

A brazier needs a tray and a suitable metal grate. Metal products will certainly be required: latches, grilles, corners and sheet metal.

It is best to buy natural stone on the countertop, and it is worth trying to make the sashes of the pedestals in wooden, plastic, iron or glass versions.

The following tools will greatly facilitate the work:

• Master OK;
• construction level;
• shovel;
• circulation saw;
• small concrete mixer;
• zinc trough.

The stone grill can be called the "heart" of the site. It is he who unites friends around him and promotes a warm and friendly atmosphere. In order for such gatherings to be more emotional, it is necessary to choose and arrange the working area correctly, that is, to choose a place for the barbecue.

Here you should remember some of the nuances:

• This structure is considered fire hazardous, so it cannot be placed near wooden buildings and wood storage areas, which are available in absolutely any yard.
• It is not necessary to mount the structure in such a way that the smoke from the fire enters the windows of the living quarters. If you are laying the foundation of a brick barbecue near the house, then let it be the blind side without windows, doors and other openings.
• The wind rose must be taken into account. In the case when the winds of a particular direction prevail on the terrain, then try to place the installation in such a way that the heat does not carry to the windows of your neighbors.

The stationary grill is a solid installation, therefore, to believe that for its installation it is enough to simply tamp the site and fill it with rubble is fundamentally wrong. A heavy structure certainly requires a solid foundation, only in this case it will be protected from the negative effects of all kinds of climatic and geodetic problems.

The procedure is as follows:

• thoroughly clear the site and rid it of construction and other debris;
• the cleared area should be marked with pegs and a rope in accordance with the drawings;
• a pit is dug along the lines;
• the bottom of the pit is laid with rubble mixed with rubble stone;
• along the borders, a wooden formwork is mounted, then the foundation pit is filled with a cement-sand composition mixed in a ratio of 1 to 3.

Filling should be done in layers, which alternate with a layer of reinforcement. Please note that the reinforcing mesh must not be laid directly on the bottom of the excavation.

When the foundation is ready, it should be covered with a waterproofing agent and left to "set". It may take 2 weeks or more depending on weather factors.

If the weather outside is too dry and dry, then it makes sense to slightly moisten the top layer of concrete, otherwise it can "break through".

The laying of bricks on the walls begins only after the final drying of the concreted base, and in order to avoid downtime in work, this time should be spent on the manufacture of clay mortar, it will be required when arranging the walls of the barbecue.

First, a basement is erected, its shape can be absolutely any, but usually it provides a compartment for storing firewood, as well as a place for cutting and directly a barbecue area.

Experts recommend taking into account the following features.

• The brazier should be located in relation to the windows at such a distance as to be slightly above the waist of the chief cook - this greatly facilitates the preparation of barbecue and reduces the laboriousness of the process.
• The most optimal dimensions for a brazier are: length - 100 cm, depth - 13-14 cm, and width - 30-45 cm.

• The first row of the base is laid according to the markings made in advance, the work is carried out in the direction from the corners to the middle. In this case, you should constantly check the horizontality and verticality of the masonry with a building level and a plumb line. Each subsequent one is laid in such a way that the joints are shifted by half a brick.
• Reinforcement should be laid on every third row.
• Next, you should proceed directly to the hearth. Here options are possible - either to make a surface using the technology of arranging a foundation from a heat-resistant solution, or to build in metal corners, and a removable mesh is already fixed on them.

• In the first option, protrusions for the metal grill should be laid in the sidewalls of the base. It is optimal if they are made at different heights so that the level of the supplied heat can be regulated. The bricks themselves in the hearth should be laid in such a way that there are gaps between them. This contributes to more efficient combustion.
• This is followed by the installation of the wind sidewalls and the conduction of the pipe. It should certainly be mounted on a solid base that will serve as a smoke collector. It is very important that the base of the pipes is wider than the top. To this end, it is necessary to fix the corners with a shelf of 5 cm on the edges of the masonry, and then proceed to the circular masonry, gradually narrowing it and moving the bricks by 1/3 of the width inward. Having finished with the smoke collector, you should proceed to the pipe itself. To do this, lay 4 bricks around the perimeter.

The construction has been completed, but the work does not stop there. First, you should heat the grill to test its strength and tightness. If the functionality is correct, then you can proceed to the decorative finish. Most often, plaster or ceramic tiles are used for this.

If the brazier is not built in a gazebo, then you should definitely equip a canopy. Its form can be any, only your imagination enters into restrictions. Metal pipes are used as supports.

So that you do not use metal products, brick columns or monolithic walls for the construction of the barbecue, the installation should be functional, and your stay in it should be comfortable. In addition, the overall structure must match the garden design and blend harmoniously with the surrounding landscape.

Ready-made original braziers and barbecue ovens are very popular with consumers, because it is much easier to purchase the desired model than to build it yourself or make it to order. It's no secret that building a brazier on your own is only at first glance easy and simple. In fact, everything is much more expensive and more difficult.

The main advantages of prefabricated structures are as follows:

• the price of models presented in stores is lower than those made to individual orders;
• factory-made braziers are made from certified high quality materials, they meet all fire and environmental safety requirements;
• the range of products is quite wide, so everyone can choose the model that is most optimal in design, functionality and cost.

The best-selling models in our country are the collapsible gazebos MM-20 and MM-26.

These are affordable and relatively inexpensive models. They are ideal for summer cottages. They are made of 3 mm thick sheet steel using a metal profile coated with heat-resistant paints. Disassembled for the roof, 4 racks, a table and a brazier stand. A screwdriver is used for assembly and disassembly.

Brazier and other types of braziers belong to products with a higher fire hazard class.

The handling of the unit requires compliance with safety regulations.

• The brazier must certainly be located in an area of ​​free air access. This will prevent poisoning by combustion products.
• In no case should you transfer the structure to a metal garage. In such rooms, carbon monoxide collects very quickly, and if its dosage becomes excessively high, it can cause loss of consciousness.
• The brazier should be installed at a distance of at least 3 m from any wood-burning buildings.

• It is not recommended for people with heart disease to work near the barbecue - significant overheating can provoke an attack and heatstroke.
• You should not wear clothes that have loose sleeves, scarves and shawls - a spark accidentally hitting them can instantly ignite the fabric.
• When working, hair should be taken into a bun, otherwise there is a risk of losing part of the hairstyle.
• Under no circumstances should you bend over the barbecue, even if it seems to you that the coals have already burned out - any gust of wind can revive the flame and cause burns to the face and eyes.

An interesting solution can be barbecues in the form of animals.

Forged designs look very stylish.

Models in the form of a ship or a pirate chest invariably attract the attention of friends and neighbors.

Well, and the eternal classics - barbecues made of stone, as if taking us into the fairy tales of different peoples of the world.

For information on how to make a brick brazier, see the next video.