Nothing transforms a patio from average to high-end like a built-in barbecue grill. But if a full outdoor kitchen is not in your home improvement budget, you can build a grill surround with pavers to get the look.


Building Around the Grill

A common question I hear is, “Can I use a regular grill for a built-in?” Yes, you can! You don’t need the most expensive grill to have a built-in. But you will need a grill that’s fairly easy to build around.

Ideally, the grill shouldn’t have shelves that stick out. For this project, it’s best to use a grill that’s easy to build around by laying simple paver blocks that don’t require lots of cuts.

Creating a grill surround with Pavestone Rumblestone is simple and affordable. Rumblestone blocks come in dimensions that allow for infinite variations during assembly.

We’re using the Petry family’s old grill as a model for what the new built-in grill will need to look its best.

This gas grill on wheels needed an upgrade as we transformed a West Virginia home into a Backyard Paradise.

How to Build a Grill Surround

This project calls for large RumbleStone blocks that are 7-by-10-and-a-half inches and minis, which are 7-by-3-and-a-half inches.

  1. First, we remove the wheels from their gas grill and replace them with a base made of these blocks.
  2. Then, in lieu of a folding table on either side of the grill, we’re building a square column with the blocks. For the dimensions here, we’re alternating between one large block and two mini blocks as we work around the square.
  3. For this built-in grill’s next row, we separate the minis so there’s a single one on either side of the large blocks. This allows us to overlap the previous row’s seams, strengthening the structure as we build upward.
  4. That’s just one piece of this paver puzzle; next, we apply construction adhesive between each row to ensure that each block stays in place.
  5. When we reach the top of the grill, we use a thinner version of the large rectangle to cap the column and serve as a countertop.
  6. Finally, we stack several rectangles at an angle on the grill’s backside to create a series of vents for the grill’s heat.

With this grill surround complete, we’ve made an off-the-shelf grill look like a fancy built-in. Best of all? It’s both attractive and functional.

That’s all there is to it — watch the video above to see the entire process!


Further Reading

Editorial Contributors
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Danny Lipford

Founder

Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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