Picture this big, spacious fireplace in your favorite lawn or garden spot with perhaps lawn chairs and picnic table nearby Jt would provide a lot of entertainment as well as good barbecue foods. It’s a very popular design that can be built at surprisingly little cost. And if you’d build it yourself, cost is still less. All needed materials are available from your local building supply dealer. See Page 58 for details on the OF-48-S Majestic Metal Unit. Caution: Block sizes vary in some localities be sure the blocks you get are the same as those listed here.
1 Model OF-48-S Majestic Unit
39 Blocks 8″ x 8″ x 16″ (Header
or Double Corner type)
14 Blocks 6″ x 8″ x 16″
2 Blocks 4″ x 8 x 16″
13 Blocks 2″ x8″ x 16″ (Note: It will be necessary for 3 of these to be split to 2″ x 6″ x 16″)
4 Chimney Blocks 8″ x 12″ (16″ x 21 ” overall size)
Blocks should be fire-resistant blocks. (Plus necessary sad, gravel and concrete for foundation and mortar. “Ready-Mixed” packages and ideal and usually sized for your requirements. Ask your material supply dealer.)
Select a suitable spot for the fireplace, giving thought to the notes on “Location” given on page 53. Mark off the desired size with stakes and string. The base should be at least 62″ x 38″, and should be larger if extension beyond the block walls is desired. Follow the directions for a floating slab foundation as listed on page 56.
Lay out the first course of blocks as shown in Fig. 1. Then start mortaring these blocks in place. It is probably best to start with the center blocks, which provide a solid floor for the metal
unit and the ashpit area. Be sure
that this is wide enough to accommodate the assembled metal unit. Cementing this area with a rich mixture will give a smoother cleaning area, Be sure to slope slightly to front of unit for drainage.
Now proceed with the construction, laying out each cours:1 of blocks as indicated by the drawings.
Be sure to provide proper allowance for metal parts to expand as the result of heating. This can be accomplished by placing sheets of corrugated paper between the metal unit and the blocks. When the first fire is built, this corrugated paper will bum away, leaving space for expansion. Lay the 8″ x 12″ (overall size 16″x21″) chimney blocks last, putting them in place with the front sides exactly flush, vertically, with the wall that encloses the back of the metal unit.
Now, with the Majestic metal unit installed, your fireplace is completed. But do not fire the unit for at least two days, giving the mortar and concrete ample time to set and harden. Use only small fires at first to cure fireplace mortar. If desired, the masonry may be finished in an attractive color, using any good paint or compound recommended for block surfaces.