Chimney & Fireplaces/Outdoor BBQ

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Expert: - 2/12/2009


Question
Randy,

Help!  I'm building an outdoor barbeque on a 3x5 slab of Durock (with exterior grade plywood underneath) supported by cinder blocks.  I've been told NOT to use firebrick as that will be exposed to the elements and high heat can cause the bricks to "pop".  
    All I want is a 2'x 26" coal base (covered with a metal pan) and some leeway to throw a few logs on it to enjoy a fire.
    Why do I have to worry when the fire would not be very close to the edge where the firebrick is?
    I'm at my wit's end with all sorts of conflicting advice...how could they build the old standard brick grills and not have to worry about exploding brick?  Thanks very much for your time and if you need more info, please advise...Sam

Answer
Sam,

I'll apologize in advance for outdoor grills being out of my area of expertise. With that said, your local building authority will have precise rules and requirements for this type of construction in your area.

Fire brick is used outside quite frequently in my area and I have not heard of any exploding units. I may also recommend that you pick up a how to book at Lowes, Home Depot, or others. There is also free info about building these units found simply by Googeling. I hope this helps a little.

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Randy Brooks

Expertise

Inspection of Masonry, Pre-cast Tilt-up, and Factory Built Fireplaces as well as Free Standing & Insert, Gas, and Wood Appliances. We also provide Hearth Fire Loss Investigations, Litigation Support, Consulting Services, Flue Sweeping, Installation and Repair. Additionally, I’ve been a chimney sweep for 23 years, service and install hearth appliances as well as being recognized by the Superior Court of California as an expert witness.

Experience

Brooks Chimney Sweeping Since 1989 Ojai, CA Owner / President www.brooks-hearth.com

Organizations
NCSG, MEMBER,(National Chimney Sweep Guild), Member since 1990, Board of Directors representing Region 6, (CA, NV, AZ, UT, OR, WA, ID, WY, MT, AK and HI,) 2004-2011, ethics committee chair, 2004-2005, executive committee member, Vice President, 2006-2008, President, 2008-2011. CSIA, BOD (Chimney Safety Institute of America,) Board of Directors, ethics committee chair, 2004-2005, executive committee member, Secretary, 2005-2006, Vice President, 2006-2008, President, 2008-2011. HPBA, MEMBER, (Hearth, Patio, & BBQ Association,) since 2002. NFPA Member, (National Fire Protection Association) Since 2009. Technical Committee member for the 211 Standard.

Education/Credentials
California State Licensed Contractor, C61-D34, #750710. http://www2.cslb.ca.gov C.S.I.A., (Chimney Safety Institute of America,) Certified Chimney Sweep, #2580. Held since 1990 re-certified in ‘93, ‘96, ‘99, ‘02, ‘05, '08,'11. http://www.csia.org F.I.R.E. (Fireplace Investigation, Research & Education Service,) Certified Inspector, #FP-006. Held since 2000, re-certified in ’03, ‘06. http://www.f-i-r-e-service.com Fireplace Investigation, Research & Education Service,) Advance Expert Consulting & Witness, certificate, ’05 N.F.I. (National Fireplace Institute,) Certified Gas & Wood-Burning Specialist, #133851. Held since 2002, re-certified in '05,‘08. http://nficertified.org

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