Outdoor fireplace.

[Headbanger]

The plan is to build an outdoor fire in my BBQ area, So far I have removed the cobble stones and laid down a slab of concrete, Next stage is to lay a rectangle of bricks, about 5 bricks high, Then 1/3 fill with shingle, then a layer of rocks, and then the wood to be burned goes on top, as it burns down it reduces to ashes exposing the rocks which will be glowing and radiating heat.Much like in a hangi.

That's the plan anyway.

The question, will regular red bricks be up to the task?

Does the general plan sound plausible or doomed to failure?

[McDuck]

The plan is to build an outdoor fire in my BBQ area, So far I have removed the cobble stones and laid down a slab of concrete, Next stage is to lay a rectangle of bricks, about 5 bricks high, Then 1/3 fill with shingle, then a layer of rocks, and then the wood to be burned goes on top, as it burns down it reduces to ashes exposing the rocks which will be glowing and radiating heat.Much like in a hangi.

That's the plan anyway.

The question, will regular red bricks be up to the task?

Does the general plan sound plausible or doomed to failure?

Sounds cool, i get the feeling how ever that you will cook with the fire tho, it would take a while for the fire to get the rocks hot enough then let the fire die down.


I want to build somthing like this when i have my own house, post pics etc. I dont know abut bricks BTW

[98tls]

Have plans to build something for outdoor cooking myself,original plan was just to take the burners/plates etc out of my old bbq and build a brick structure around em,like the sound of this and if its a go any chance you could post up some progress pics?

[BiK3RChiK]

I think you'll need fire bricks.. I think the standard brick will break up and crumble. Also, you may need to have the correct stones, cause some stones explode when heated.

Google might be your friend here. I love this sort of thing. Keep us posted :)

[Blossom]

we built something similar at our last house. Laid a big hexagonal area of pavers with seating built right round the edge and gardens and decking beyond this.

in the middle was a bare area we placed big rocks around that were spaced to hold a big bbq plate. We would cook on the bbq plate then once the cooking was over take it off and crank the fire right up.

made a fantastic atmosphere for social gatherings. The stones don't give off enough heat by themselves.............you need to keep the fire going.

have also used bricks for a home built bbq and they work just fine.

good luck with your project..........well worth the effort

[paulmac]

have a look at www.killdawabbit.com

[Ocean1]

Refractory bricks. They're not real heavy and not as strong as your standard red brick, so they're usually used as a liner inside a structural brick wall.

Be good as the base too, won't hold as much energy as, say granite rocks but they won't explode and shower the neighbourhood with dinner either.

I've had an idea for some time about finding or making one of those hugeous Argo-type cast iron farm house ovens. Be just the business outside of an evening...

[98tls]

Refractory bricks. They're not real heavy and not as strong as your standard red brick, so they're usually used as a liner inside a structural brick wall.

Be good as the base too, won't hold as much energy as, say granite rocks but they won't explode and shower the neighbourhood with dinner either.

I've had an idea for some time about finding or making one of those hugeous Argo-type cast iron farm house ovens. Be just the business outside of an evening... Do you have a pic of said farm house oven?

[CookMySock]

Suggest you find an existing respected design on the internet, and copy it.

Steve

[Chooky]

Cheapest and best way to build an outdoor fireplace is get an old 44 gallon drum, cut the top out, cut some air holes about a foot from the bottom with an axe, 20 liters of JetA1, 1 match and bingo.
Best outdoor fireplace you can get....

I know this..:beer:

[cowpoos]

The plan is to build an outdoor fire in my BBQ area, So far I have removed the cobble stones and laid down a slab of concrete, Next stage is to lay a rectangle of bricks, about 5 bricks high, Then 1/3 fill with shingle, then a layer of rocks, and then the wood to be burned goes on top, as it burns down it reduces to ashes exposing the rocks which will be glowing and radiating heat.Much like in a hangi.

That's the plan anyway.

The question, will regular red bricks be up to the task?

Does the general plan sound plausible or doomed to failure?
some bricks will some won't....get a heap of bricks second hand...and light a healthy fire with the bricks in it. get em real hot...then once everythings cooled down...give them a tap with the hammer while you hold them from the other end...the ones the break are no good :)

[Headbanger]

Cheapest and best way to build an outdoor fireplace is get an old 44 gallon drum, cut the top out, cut some air holes about a foot from the bottom with an axe, 20 liters of JetA1, 1 match and bingo.
Best outdoor fireplace you can get....

I know this..:beer:

Currently use 2 stainless steel bins that were used down the local works for rejected meat, we stack em solid with timber, soak them in petrol, then launch burning items into them, pretty damn spectacular when they go......BOOMFA.

Originally I was going to cut these bins open, join them together and use them in the new fireplace.

[doc]

Thought this was cool at the Cold Duck. Needs to be river stones and heaps of lime in the cement.

[Headbanger]

Thought this was cool at the Cold Duck. Needs to be river stones and heaps of lime in the cement.

Very cool. I was told not to use rocks from a river as they hold water, when they are in a fire the water expands causing the rock to explode.

Myth?

[Ocean1]

Do you have a pic of said farm house oven?

The ones I had in mind were often found in west coast pubs, at a time when trees and coal was available and electricity wasn't. The name I mis-remembered was Aga, but I'm not sure that's right either, still looking for pic's.

In the meantime, some ideas: http://www.traditionaloven.com/ovens.html

[soundbeltfarm]

Very cool. I was told not to use rocks from a river as they hold water, when they are in a fire the water expands causing the rock to explode.

Myth?

not really a myth.
i have done a shitload of hangis now and i sometimes have a rock break but not explode and that is only when i pour some water over them to get some steam happening.


i always use river rocks and i also have a couple of railway irons cut up as they hold the heat so well.
get the river rocks that are dense.
you will know what i mean as they are the heavier than others the same size.
they are also smooth and dont have any pitting on the outside of them.

[98tls]

Cheers O,some great stuff in there.:2thumbsup

[peasea]

The plan is to build an outdoor fire in my BBQ area, So far I have removed the cobble stones and laid down a slab of concrete, Next stage is to lay a rectangle of bricks, about 5 bricks high, Then 1/3 fill with shingle, then a layer of rocks, and then the wood to be burned goes on top, as it burns down it reduces to ashes exposing the rocks which will be glowing and radiating heat.Much like in a hangi.

That's the plan anyway.

The question, will regular red bricks be up to the task?

Does the general plan sound plausible or doomed to failure?

Sounds cool mate. We have some friends round the corner with an outdoor fireplace and it rocks! I have also seen one with about four short lengths of railway iron for the base. When the fire burns down they're still running hot.

Fire bricks only dude.

[peasea]

get the river rocks that are dense.

Are you suggesting that coastal rocks are smarter?

[Max Preload]

not really a myth.
i have done a shitload of hangis now and i sometimes have a rock break but not explode and that is only when i pour some water over them to get some steam happening.

and that's only because of the temperature gradient through the cross-section and the expansion of the core and the outer being cooled rapidly.

[soundbeltfarm]

and that's only because of the temperature gradient through the cross-section and the expansion of the core and the outer being cooled rapidly.

why is it only the odd rock and not alot of them.

[Jez]

I was thinking of building a frame from railway irons, then making a "facade" out of river stone to surround the iron frame. Idea being the frame, and stone absorb alot of the heat, and you basically have a large radiator for everyone to sit around.

Would look alot like the pic Doc posted from Cold Duck, but with a "hood" to catch and channel the smoke away.

[Headbanger]

Heaps of good info. I'm going to pick and choose what suits :lol: So I'll have a crack with the normal bricks and see if she holds up. I figure its not going to be anywhere as hot as an oven so we shall see.

I'm not intending to cook with the fire as I built a brick BBQ over Christmas.......well, I mounted my bbq on a brick base.

Can't provide pics as my work is so shit.

[geoffm]

What a bout a pizza oven? I have a hankering for one, although our back yard and house layout doesn't really suit that sort of thing.
I blmae Hinny for this pizza addiction.
Geoff

[doc]

and that's only because of the temperature gradient through the cross-section and the expansion of the core and the outer being cooled rapidly.

Yes I thought so.....:gob:

[soundbeltfarm]

i reckon it will be hot as an oven man maybe hotter.

[Headbanger]

hmmm....The cold air will be sucking the heat out of the fire, An oven traps the heat in so the temp keeps rising and rising.

[Ocean1]

This is what I'd like to get my hands on...