Advice on casting concrete for a barbeque

[nlhatcher]

I'm currently building a brick barbeque and have planned to cast a concrete bed, approx 1m x 50cm x 7cm, on which to burn the charcoal. It will be supportd on an 'E' shaped brick base.

I have planned to use standard pre-blended concrete(for use in casting) with chicken wire and 8mm rebar for reinforcement.

So apart from any general advice on this project, my main question is do I have to be concerned about the heat of burning charcoal cracking the concrete?

 

[masona]

You will need a metal base plate between the charcoal and concrete

 

[nlhatcher]

Thanks masona, but what kind of base plate do you mean? what thickness?

Can I also ask why this is neccessary?, I've seen pre-cast concrete barbeques for sale where you have the charcoal directly on the concrete, are these made from some special concrete?

Thanks again for the help.

 

[WabbitPoo]

Thanks masona, but what kind of base plate do you mean? what thickness?

Can I also ask why this is neccessary?, I've seen pre-cast concrete barbeques for sale where you have the charcoal directly on the concrete, are these made from some special concrete?

Thanks again for the help.

Apart from anything else, you could remove a steel plate and clean it of all grease that falls onto it.

 

[masona]

Can I also ask why this is neccessary?

As Wappitpoo pointed out, it's the same in the oven with trays etc and any fats drip onto it will protect the concrete etc

Even a right size metal tray will do.

 

[nlhatcher]

Apart from anything else, you could remove a steel plate and clean it of all grease that falls onto it.

Ah, but you see I was hoping the fire & rain would take care of that automagically!

But seriously, without a plate do you think the concrete is at risk of cracking?

 

[WabbitPoo]

Apart from anything else, you could remove a steel plate and clean it of all grease that falls onto it.

Ah, but you see I was hoping the fire & rain would take care of that automagically!

But seriously, without a plate do you think the concrete is at risk of cracking?

no

 

[nstreet]

Apart from anything else, you could remove a steel plate and clean it of all grease that falls onto it.

Ah, but you see I was hoping the fire & rain would take care of that automagically!

But seriously, without a plate do you think the concrete is at risk of cracking?

Hot charcoal on concrete, followed by a hefty downpour of cold rain, lots of stress on the concrete, good chance of fracture.