Do it Yourself BBQ Island

Check with your local municipality for building codes regarding the footing of your barbecue island. Excavate the ground based on the building codes and pour your concrete for the footing. Make sure your footing is exactly level and let the cement cure for several days before constructing the barbecue island pillars.

Outline a plan based on the dimensions you want your barbecue island to be. Draw a diagram of each section of the island---such as the side pillars and rear wall--based on the dimensions of the bricks, wall caps and tiles that you will use in the construction. Format your island so that it accommodates and surrounds the grill.

Mark the location of your barbecue island using chalk and a tape measure. Chalk out all sections of the barbecue island; this will include the rear wall and the pillars on both sides of the barbecue. This will also create a countertop space on either side of the grill.

Dry-fit the barbecue island by aligning a single course of bricks to form the basic outline of the structure. Place the bricks in succession with approximately half-inch space in between each brick, anticipating the space that the mortar will take up. Your outline should form the basis of two pillars connected by a rear wall, with sufficient space between the two pillars to place your grill. Pencil the design onto the slab.

Use a cold chisel or wet saw to cut your bricks if necessary before applying mortar. Mix the mortar and water in a wheelbarrow with a hoe until it resembles gray mud in texture. Apply your mortar to the slab along the pencil lines using a trowel.

Press the first brick into the mortar and apply mortar to the side where it will line up with another brick. Repeat this process until you have completed the first layer of bricks for the barbecue island. Scrape away excess mortar and use a level for each brick as you work.

Let your first layer of bricks dry for approximately 45 minutes before you begin the second layer. Use fresh mortar for each level.

Use a staggered pattern with your bricks as you mortar in each level. To do this you may need to make cuts to your bricks with a wet chisel. Make these cuts while the previous layers are drying. Place wall caps above each pillar once they reach the desired height to form countertops to either side of your barbecue.

Finish your barbecue island by adding tile or single countertops. Seal the countertops to the pillars with mortar adhesive. Place your barbecue in the open space between the two pillars and fire it up after the island has cured for several days.