BBQ Shack

Spring is in full swing here in New England. The gardens are coming alive with color and the trees are loaded with beautiful little pollen-bearing buds.

This is the time of the year when I really start getting anxious about being outside but there is just not enough for me to do yet and I don't like being cold or wet; we've had a lot of rain. What's a girl to do then?

Me, I am a planner. What kind of fun things can we be doing when the weather gets warmer? I can come up with a hundred things to do and barbecues are always on the list. Mister loves to make ribs and pulled pork, beer can chicken and bacon wrapped stuffed jalapenos. Last year we decided we should have something a little more permanent for his equipment which includes a Smokey Joe, Weber charcoal grill, Weber gas grill and a Weber smoker, chimney starters, and all the accoutrements. (No, we are not being sponsored by Weber...Weber call me!) In years past the grills and smoker just sat behind the house and got moved around as needed. The miscellaneous paraphernalia was taking up valuable space in my kitchen.

Our youngest graduated last year and the party at our house afterward convinced us both that it was time to make some changes.

If you're longing for summer months or maybe starting to plan some of your own projects perhaps this will inspire you.

Mister is not a planner. He jumps in once he's decided that he is going to do a project. Because of that I often do not get the beginning photos.

First we had to clear some ground. (Actually, there was no "we" involved in that-it was all Mister.) To be totally honest, mainly...I just took pictures.) This was totally his baby.

There is a small cluster of trees right next to where we decided our shack should be so clearing away roots and leveling out the ground was a rough job. I was not home for that so there are no pictures. Mister purchased a bunch of 12x12" cement squares for the floor/pad. Not gonna lie, it is hard work and I was glad that it was not me doing it!

He dug holes with a post hole digger and inserted 4x4" posts, cementing them in with quick set. (Ok, this is where I helped! I held the posts plumb while he poured the quick set.) He framed out the top, giving the roof an angle that sloped away from the house. (I held one end while he screwed in the other. Could have done it without me but would have required and extra step.)

I helped Mister put the corrugated metal roof on top and that was about the extent of my input here. (I prefer to think that my design abilities were invaluable in this process- more so than my physical assistance.)

To protect the grills from snow and weather a knee wall was built on three sides.

Slatted walls on two sides provide room to hang pots, bbq decor and necessities.

There's that BBQ sign I made for him. You can find the instructions here.
A coat (or 3) of white paint opaque white stain (mister corrected me) on the outside make it look nice and clean.

Mister used some left over corrugated metal from the roof to slide behind the gas grill to act as a heat shield.

And that's about it so it's time to eat. First thing we made was not so exciting; just burgers.

And, because we try to keep it keto (low carbs) this is how I like my burgers these days.

We grill year round and this has served us well. And, after looking at all these photos and that burger I am desiring, even more, the lazy days of summer.

Thanks for stopping by and visiting with me. Oh, and let me know if you decide to build one of your own!

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                                                                 Have a great summer!

                                   Jolena 

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