BBQ DIY Pizza Oven Parts · Example build guide

How to Build a Turkish-Style Charcoal BBQ

This example shows a compact masonry charcoal BBQ in the open-front mangal style, sized for family outdoor cooking. It explains where The Stove Wizard’s fire bricks, refractory clay and stove gloves are used, and which parts you need to source elsewhere.

Example BBQ dimensions

The example cooking chamber is a rectangle wide enough for family grilling, with an open front for airflow and access. The charcoal sits in a fire-brick-lined bed beneath a grill grate. Working height is an example standing height, not a required measurement.

Example dimensions

Internal grill width
900 mm (35.4 in)
Internal grill depth
450 mm (17.7 in)
Charcoal / firebed area
900 × 400 mm (35.4 × 15.7 in), set toward the back of the chamber
Working grill height
850 mm (33.5 in) from ground to grate — example standing height
Fire-brick lining height
Three courses of 114 mm bricks ≈ 342 mm (13.5 in)
Approximate refractory lining area
Firebed plus two sides, back wall and a low front kerb, using 25 mm fire bricks

These example dimensions are for this guide only. They are not a mandatory BBQ size.

Front view
Front view of the example Turkish-style charcoal BBQ Open-front masonry BBQ with side walls, charcoal bed, grill grate at 850 millimetres working height, and 900 millimetre internal cooking width. Stand / base — source separately Charcoal / fire bed Grill grate Cooking area Open front for access and airflow Internal width 900 mm (35.4 in) 850 mm (33.5 in)

Masonry side walls enclose an open-front cooking chamber. The grill grate sits above the charcoal bed at the example working height of 850 mm.

How to read the front view

  • Internal cooking width: 900 mm (35.4 in)
  • Grill grate above the charcoal / fire bed
  • Open front for loading fuel, turning food and airflow
  • Outer masonry and stand are sourced separately
Top view
Top view of the example Turkish-style charcoal BBQ Rectangular 900 by 450 millimetre cooking chamber with charcoal area toward the back, grill grate over the bed, and an open front. Charcoal area 900 × 400 mm Grill grate Open front Internal width 900 mm 450 mm depth

The rectangular cooking area is 900 × 450 mm internally. Charcoal occupies most of the depth; the front remains open for airflow and access.

How to read the top view

  • Internal grill depth: 450 mm (17.7 in)
  • Charcoal / firebed: about 900 × 400 mm
  • Grill grate over the firebed
  • Open-front mangal-style airflow — not a closed oven
Cross-section
Side cutaway of the example Turkish-style charcoal BBQ Layers from the foundation up through supporting structure, fire-brick lining, charcoal bed, grill grate and outer masonry. Open front at the left. Open front 1 2 3 4 5 6

Fire bricks line the charcoal bed and chamber. They are not a substitute for the supporting structure or the grill grate.

Cross-section key

  1. Outer masonry / weatherproof finish — source separately
  2. Grill grate — source separately
  3. Charcoal bed
  4. Fire-brick lining / firebed — available from The Stove Wizard
  5. Supporting structure — source separately
  6. Foundation / stand — source separately

This open charcoal BBQ example does not use ceramic fibre blanket or calcium silicate board. Those products are for other high-temperature constructions, such as pizza oven insulation, where the listing supports that use.

Materials available from The Stove Wizard

Only products that have a legitimate use in this example fire area are quantified below. Insulation boards and ceramic fibre are omitted because this open mangal-style BBQ does not need them.

Premium clay fire bricks

Listed size: 230 mm × 114 mm × 25 mm. Pack options: 10, 12, 15, 20 or 100. Listed for pizza ovens, BBQs and cooking applications, and food safe.

  1. Firebed 900 × 450 mm using the 230 × 114 mm face: about 16 bricks.
  2. Two side walls, three 114 mm courses on a 450 mm depth: about 12 bricks.
  3. Back wall, three courses on a 900 mm width: about 12 bricks.
  4. Low open-front kerb, one course: about 4 bricks.

Estimated bricks: 44. Wastage allowance (about 20%): 9. Approximate total: 53.

Recommended approximate order: 60 bricks — three 20-brick packs — to cover cuts and breakage.

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Refractory powdered fire clay

Listed use: mix with water for bedding, joining and pointing fire bricks, and as a gap filler or refractory repair mortar. Sold as a 25 kg bag. It is not a brick substitute.

Approximate kg required: not stated. The product listing does not give a coverage rate, so a responsible bag count cannot be calculated from the available data.

Existing bag size: 25 kg. Confirm the amount from your proven design and a test mix.

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Stove gloves

The Stove Wizard Stove Gloves are listed for BBQ use, as well as pizza ovens, stoves and fire pits. They help when loading charcoal or handling tools around a hot grill. They are not for prolonged contact with extremely hot surfaces or direct flame.

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Approximate materials for this example BBQ

Material Used for Approximate requirement Our pack size Approximate packs to buy
Premium Clay Fire Bricks Firebed, side, back and kerb lining About 53 bricks, order 60 10, 12, 15, 20 or 100 bricks; 230 × 114 × 25 mm 3 × 20-brick packs
Refractory Powdered Fire Clay Bedding, joining and pointing fire bricks Cannot be calculated from listed coverage data 25 kg bag Confirm from your design; do not guess a bag count
Stove Gloves Handling fuel and tools around a hot BBQ 1 pair as listed As sold on the product page 1

Quantities are approximate and depend on the final BBQ design, cuts, joints and construction method. Confirm your final design before ordering. Ceramic fibre blanket and calcium silicate board are not part of this example.

Materials and components you will need to source elsewhere

The Stove Wizard supplies the specialist refractory products listed above. We do not sell a complete Turkish BBQ kit.

Foundation / base

A suitable stable foundation or paving base for outdoor masonry work.

Structural masonry / blockwork

The outer walls, stand and any blockwork required by your chosen design.

Grill grate

A suitable cooking grate sized for the 900 × 450 mm example chamber, or for your own dimensions.

Charcoal tray / supports

Any metal tray, bars or grate supports specified by the design.

External finish

Render, cladding, weatherproof protection or a cover suitable for outdoor use.

Fixings, tools & PPE

Supports, fixings, masonry tools and protective equipment when cutting bricks.

What The Stove Wizard supplies — and what to source elsewhere
Split of Turkish BBQ materials from The Stove Wizard versus materials sourced elsewhere The Stove Wizard supplies fire bricks, refractory clay and stove gloves. Foundation, masonry, grill grate, metal supports, weatherproof finish and tools are sourced elsewhere. This is not a complete BBQ kit. From The Stove Wizard ✓ Fire bricks ✓ Refractory clay ✓ Stove gloves Not a complete BBQ kit Source elsewhere • Foundation / base materials • Structural masonry / blockwork • Grill grate and metal supports • Weatherproof finish • General building materials / tools

The Stove Wizard supplies fire bricks, refractory clay and stove gloves for this example. We do not sell a complete Turkish BBQ kit.

Example BBQ build sequence

  1. 01

    Plan dimensions

    Finalise the cooking width, depth, grate height and fire-brick lining using a proven outdoor BBQ design.

  2. 02

    Build foundation / base

    Construct a suitable stable foundation or paving base for the completed masonry BBQ.

  3. 03

    Build supporting structure

    Build the stand or supporting masonry required by the chosen design.

  4. 04

    Install the refractory / fire area

    Lay the fire-brick firebed with refractory clay according to the product guidance and the selected plan.

  5. 05

    Build side and back walls

    Line the chamber sides and back with fire bricks where the design requires a refractory lining.

  6. 06

    Fit grill supports

    Fit the metal supports or ledges that will carry the grill grate.

  7. 07

    Install the grill grate

    Place a grate sized for the chamber. Keep it removable for cleaning and for tending charcoal.

  8. 08

    Finish and weatherproof

    Complete appropriate external masonry and weather protection for outdoor use.

  9. 09

    Dry and cure

    Follow the drying and curing instructions for every material and the selected design before lighting a fire. Do not use a universal curing timetable.

  10. 10

    Use safely outdoors

    Use the BBQ only in a suitable outdoor location, on a complete, stable structure, following ordinary outdoor fire safety practice.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Turkish-style BBQ?

In this guide it means an open-front masonry charcoal grill, sometimes called a mangal-style BBQ: food cooks over charcoal on a grate rather than inside a closed oven. Designs vary; this page is one example only.

What size BBQ should I build?

This example uses a 900 × 450 mm internal cooking chamber for family outdoor cooking. Choose a proven design and confirm the size that suits your space and how you cook. These dimensions are not mandatory.

How many fire bricks do I need?

For this example lining, about 44 of the listed 230 × 114 × 25 mm bricks, plus wastage, leading to a recommended order of 60 bricks (three 20-brick packs). A different size changes the count.

Do I need refractory clay?

Use it to bed, join and point the fire bricks, as listed on the product. Bag coverage is not published, so we cannot quote a number of 25 kg bags from the available data.

Can I use ordinary bricks around the fire area?

The charcoal and heat-facing lining in this example uses the listed Premium Clay Fire Bricks. Ordinary facing or house bricks are not a substitute for those fire bricks in the fire area.

Do I need insulation?

This open charcoal BBQ example does not use ceramic fibre blanket or calcium silicate board. Those products are for other constructions, such as pizza oven insulation, where their listings support that use.

What height should the grill be?

This example uses 850 mm (33.5 in) from ground to grate as a comfortable standing height. Confirm a height that suits the people who will use the BBQ. It is not a universal specification.

What materials does The Stove Wizard supply?

For this example: Premium Clay Fire Bricks, Refractory Powdered Fire Clay and Stove Gloves. Foundation materials, structural masonry, the grill grate, metal supports, weatherproof finish and tools are sourced elsewhere. We do not sell a complete Turkish BBQ kit.