My wife was nagging me for about a year about building a braai in order that we might entertain al fresco once I finally gathered the energy to get it done. Don't misunderstand me, it's not that I don't wish to entertain friends; it's simply that daily life has been so hectic recently that I haven't really felt like doing the effort it would take to build a barbeque. What is more I didn't actually have a distinct plan as to how to make it.
Luckily, one of my good pals happens to be a do-it-yourself type of guy and he still possessed the directions he used when constructing a braai. He was kind enough to give me some tips which I am now about to transfer to you. First of all, pick your location. Put your braai and entertainment space in a location that will possess shade in summer and sunlight in the winter season and never construct your braai against a boundary wall. When you build the braai, attempt to make the chimney as high as feasible to ensure that smoke will not transfer to you and your neighbors' house via the windows.
Next, select masonry which can carry the high temperature and smoke that a braai fire will produce and don't prepare the cement blend stronger than about 6:1 or it will crack. The braai itself need only be a steel grille fixed into the surrounding brickwork with sufficient space below it to be able to build a fire. You can affix metal rails to the inside surfaces on either side so that you will be able to slip the grille in and out in order to wash it. When literally laying the bricks make use of a spirit level and proper bricklaying techniques so that the outcome is going to be appealing and professional.
It's also a good idea while constructing a braai to install a work area next to it at the same time to avoid needing to juggle tongs and serving pans whilst you're braaing. Moreover, make sure to tile the work area so it is going to be easy to wash. You'll want to allow the concrete dry properly before you use the braai which means don't plan that celebration prior to it being completely ready.