Masonry barbecue question

danlojo

We're about to erect a masonry barbecue.

Could any builder or anyone in the know explain what we use to put between the heavy pieces to stop the cement splodging (my technical term ) out when we add a heavy piece on top.

Any ideas where do we get them from?

Thank you, oh fountain of knowledge people xx :beer:

keystone

You make your mix so it doesn't. If it does its far too wet.

Cheers

cyclonebri1

He's right, an any competent diyer would have little problem with that, but I have seen spacers that you are talking about sold for rank beginners.

The only problem is the mortar joint is there to take up the natural discrepancies in the size of the brick, they have a tolerance and are not all exactly the same size.

The other thing that springs to mind if you try to do it the way you are proposing is that mortar shrinks as it dries, I wouldn't think the spacer could accommodate that, the joint would probably crack.

Factor in thermal expansion, as this is a barbeque, and well, stick to plain mortar joints.;);)

And remember as my old man taught me;
"The gobbo is there to keep the bricks apart, not stick 'em together" ;)

danlojo

Thanks for your replies.

The bottom 2 parts are heavy as hell and we think that it would 'splodge' out.

Maybe we should ask a local builder to have a look?

cyclonebri1

danlojo wrote: »

Thanks for your replies.

The bottom 2 parts are heavy as hell and we think that it would 'splodge' out.

Maybe we should ask a local builder to have a look?

You've had the answer, ie, mix the mortar stiffer for the areathat you have problems with.

I'll give you tip that may help. Lay the stiffer mortar normally, then at the corners drop in a handful of wet sand, as wet as if you were making a sand castle. This needs to be centred so it doesn't show.
Not having cement in those bits they will act like support piers but you will still be able to level the slab or whatever it is.

This is about the easiest diy brick laying job there is, plus it's non structural so not a problem if it ain't perfect.

The other option as many do is to lay the bricks dry, ie, don't use mortar. Design may have to change a little but it's an option.

Don't bother a builder, it's too simple and would make good practice for you if nothing else.