How to Build BBQ Grilling Station
How to Build BBQ Grilling Station

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Additional Grill DimensionsGrill Dimensions
Grill out more often with an attractive and functional BBQ Grilling Station. Learn here just how easy it is to build. This project demonstrates how to build on a hard,level surface, such as concrete or pavers. To build on soil, you must create a foundation pad.

Step 1: Build the First Post/Pillar

Mark out the location of your grilling station. Draw an 87 in. (2.2 m) minimum guideline where the back of the BBQ grilling station will be constructed.

Place the first Corner Block on the guideline where you want to begin. Then place 3 more Corner blocks and 2 AB York blocks (Figure 1).

Figure 1: First Post/Pillar Base Course Pattern

Figure 1: First Post/Pillar Base Course Pattern

Use a square to line up the blocks to ensure your post/pillar is square. Remove the raised ring on one of the AB York Blocks using a hammer and chisel. This will provide a flat surface for the next course of blocks. On the second course, place 4 Corner blocks so that they offset the blocks beneath them. Split an AB Dublin end-split block and place the large piece with the raised rings facing down and the split side against the Corner block (Figure 2). Save the smaller piece to be used at the end of the wall panel.

Figure 2: First Post/Pillar 2nd Course Pattern

Figure 2: First Post/Pillar 2nd Course Pattern




Mark out the location of your grilling station
Mark the Location

Place the first Corner Block on the guideline
Place the First Corner Block

Align the Blocks with a Square
Align the Blocks with a Square

Remove the Raised Rings
Remove the Raised Rings

Finish with an AB Dublin End-Split Block
Finish with an AB Dublin
End-Split Block

Step 2: Build the Wall Panel

Begin the wall panel by installing the first 2 courses at the same time, using the patterns shown (Figure 3), or one you have chosen. In this example we are alternating between AB Dublin and AB York blocks. Building the first 2 courses at the same time will ensure that the blocks line up properly. End the base course of the wall panel with a Corner block. End the second course of the wall panel with the remaining small piece of the AB Dublin end-split block used on the post/pillar (Figure 3).

Figure 3: Wall Panel Course Patterns

Figure 3: Wall Panel Course Patterns






Build Wall Panel 2 Courses at a Time
Build Wall Panel

Step 3: Build the Second Post/Pillar

Continue building the second post/pillar by placing 3 additional Corner Blocks and 1 AB York block as shown (Figure 4).


Figure 4: 2nd Post/Pillar Base Course Pattern

Figure 4: 2nd Post/Pillar Base Course Pattern

Use a square to position the blocks. Remove the raised ring on the AB York block with a hammer and chisel. Build the second course of the post/pillar by placing 4 Corner blocks starting with the first Corner block against the small piece of the AB Dublin end-split block (Figure 5).


Figure 5: 2nd Post/Pillar 2nd Course Pattern

Figure 5: 2nd Post/Pillar 2nd Course Pattern




Start the Second Post/Pillar
Start the Second Post/Pillar

Remove Raised Rings & Build Second Course
Remove Raised Rings & Build Second Course

Step 4: Continue Building

Continue stacking courses by repeating Steps 1-3 until the desired height is achieved. This example uses a total of 5 courses, plus one additional course of 5 Corner blocks to each post/pillar. The wall panel is one course lower than the posts/pillars to allow for movement of the grill hood (Figure 6).

Figure 6: Hood Movement

Allow for Movement of the Grill Hood

Continue Stacking Blocks to the Desired Height
Continue Stacking Blocks to the Desired Height

Step 5: Finishing the BBQ Grilling Station

Place Wall Caps on top of the wall panel by alternating the caps to keep a straight line. Secure the caps in place with masonry adhesive (adhesive optional). Choose a countertop material to fit your design (Figure 7). Set your countertops in place and check for level. Shims may be used if adjustments are necessary. Secure the countertops in place with masonry adhesive, (adhesive optional) move the grill into place and you are ready to fire up the grill!

Figure 7: Countertops

Countertops




Set Wall Caps in Place
Set Wall Caps in Place

Add Countertops to Posts
Add Countertops to Posts

Materials Needed:

39 in(0.99 m) Grill
50 Corner Blocks
21 AB York Blocks
12 AB Dublin Blocks
5 Wall Caps
2 Outdoor Countertops
   24 in x 32 in
  (600 mm x 800 mm)
2 Tubes of Masonry Adhesive 		  

Tools Needed:

Square
Measuring Tape
String Line
Level
Hammer & Chisel
Safety Glasses & Work Gloves


The dimensions of this BBQ grilling station used in this example are 36 in. H x 36 in. D x 87 in. W (0.9 m H x 0.9 m D x 2.2 m W) using a 39 in. (1.0 m) wide grill. To build using a different size grill, see (Figure 8) for information on other grill widths.

Figure 8: Block Counts for Common Grill Widths*

Block Type 30 in.
(762 mm)		 39 in.
(0.99 m)		 48 in.
(1.2 m)
AB York 26 21 26
AB Dublin 7 12 12
Wall Caps 4 5 6
Corner Blocks 50 50 50




Completed Allan Block Courtyard Grilling Station
And You Did It!
A Finished BBQ Grilling Station





Want to see more on this project?

Click here to check out our extended video as seen on HGTV.