Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - exterior fireplace/ grill

I would like to build a fireplace grill constructed from cinderblock ,however, faced with fabricated stone to complement our lilac flagstone patio.

I think you should.

I had a similar idea, my only problem (other then lack of skills) :rolleyes: i have some of that stuff in the front of my house and my concern it's porosity and how brittle it is. I treated it after the installation twice and just 3 years later it soaks up the water like a sponge. What will happen with grease etc.... I am afraid it's going to look like doo-doo the first month i use it heavily. I live in SO Cal. so do use it heavily. :D

mix up a slurry of portland cement and fine sand and spread it out over the surface of the blocks this will fill the pores in the blocks and help to stop the water infiltration. or you can use a product called drylock. it works also.

murphy was an optimist

It should be sealed with a penetrating sealer, Newb, similar to Chemprobe's Prime-a-Pell 200.

Cool, but how ofter this should/has to be done? I soaked that stuff with some penetrating sealer don't recall the name, but that's what was recommended by the stone retailer. It worked great after first two applications and probably lasted a year....
BTW - do you guys have a link or two to a BBQ building plans? I googled it a couple of time but there is so much comes up I don't know what really works. I don't need anything fancy - just functional and easy to keep clean :coffee: