I never would have thought that Kuya Obet and his helper King could have done that much work on the grill in one day (Last week’s part I), if they were working on a contract, I’d understand, but a daily salary? It was fascinating to watch them work, with such a high degree of skill, using tools we would have thrown away years ago.
They were using a saw for a straight edge, when I would have wasted a lot of time, looking for one. A hammer welded to a steel pipe that they used to bend rebar with the handle. Such talent, we could learn so much by watching and not opening our mouth. I’ve learned long ago that if the guy is good at his job, it’s best to just let him do it.
June 23rd, the grill has been built; Zaldy my metal fabricator was by today to measure and plan out the grill and rotisserie parts of the grill. This was made easy due to the photos of Bob’s grill, that he was kind enough to send to me (Thank you Bob.)
The pace is much slower today as all the bricks must be fitted and some cut and or trimmed to fit. This is the part of the job that just can’t be rushed. So while we all wait, this would be a good time to go over the cost of the grill so far.
Labor: P 2,500.00 (plus a Zippo Lighter for the helper)
Fire Brick: P 3,200.00
Assorted Other Materials: P 3,702.00
Ship’s wheel: P 2,500.00
Metal Fabrication Materials: P 3,308.00
Metal Fabrication Labor: P 2,000.00
Total: P 16,402.00
I am pleased with the cost, since after pricing the cost of a new 42inch Weber BBQ Grill at over $200.00 and that’s without a rotisserie. And as Bob had pointed out the cost of a gas grill here is cost prohibitive. I found a big Gas Grill, U.S. Brand (But not made there) was close to $700.00 and the store had no idea what a lava rock was.
Due to Kuya Obet and Mrs. Thompson, many changes were added to the basic grill that I wanted; they decided to make the entire grill out of brick, the tile was extra we had left over from another project and my wife and Kuya Obet decided they would look good.
The Weber Grill I had, died a noble death around Christmas time after 12 years of dutiful service to clan Thompson. Directly beside the new “Mindanao Bob’s Deluxe BBQ Grill” I’ve hung the old Weber’s grill, in fitting memory to the old work horse.
If all things align, and the world is in harmony, the grill will be ready by this July Forth (ahead of time), rain or shine, hell or high water, it will be lit off, meat will be cooked (Okay, fish also.) Vast amounts of canned consumables will be consumed. While it’s true that most members of my family, will not fully understand why, the forth is important to me, they have a finely tuned sense, of what a good party is all about. Yes, the Damnable Singing Machine will rear its ugly head! But the first thing I’ll cook using the “Rotisserie Wheel” will be a multitude of chickens, to test it out, what better way could I celebrate America’s 234th Birthday?
Liempo will be cooked on 13 July, as my birthday happens to fall on that very date every year.
So that’s the story of how it came about, the making of a copy, of “The Mindanao Bob’s Deluxe BBQ Grill”. Let me know what you think about it. If you would like to see all the pictures I took while the construction was going on, they are in the LiP Photo Gallery. But it’s not mandatory to go there and look.
There were some extra labor costs not involved (or included) with building the grill, as Kuya Obet re-screened my man-cave, and filled in a tree frame, after the tree died. Now it’s a table for the kids.
Paul
Wow that is one very nice BBQ set up.
It looks like they use their version of “Yankee Inginuity” in the Philippines to get the job done.
Neal;
“Yankee Ingenuity” that’s a term not heard by me in a very long time, mostly it was “Yankee Go Home”. But it does exist here; we call it “Pinoy Ingenuity”. And it always gets the job done.
I hope you got in your BBQing on the fourth. Coals here are extremely expensive, but being the 4th I broke down, and bought a bag. From here in the anchorage we could see fireworks with The Bridge of the Americas in the background. Eating grilled burgers, sausages, and COLD Panama beers with new friends from the anchorage.
BEST WISHES on your upcoming Liempo day. Hopefully by then I will be taking another shot at the Pacific…….i2f
Hi Paul, Love the new grill ! Your story about the friends you have working with you to make your grill put a smile on my face. One of the main reasons i want to move to the islands.
(THE PEOPLE)
The people are great with there hands & make things happen with bubble gum & sticks. I love that kind of ability, to make something out of nothing. HAPPY BIRTHDAY coming up.
Thanks Scott
Hello Scott;
After I saw Bob’s Grill I knew that was the answer to my search, so I can’t take any credit for that. But the two guys that build it, I’ll heap praise upon. They and their families were by the house to eat the food, as that was only fair.
99.9% of those I’ve encounter here are fair and honest people, with big hearts and a ready smile. The other .01% isn’t worth the time to talk about; those types of people live everywhere on Earth.
The three of us were sitting in the yard, having a cold one when they were done. I noticed that Kuya Obet had a very old well kept Zippo lighter that a retired Navy guy gave to him. Young king, his helper had none, so since I have more than a hundred in my collection I gave him one so he’d be like us. You would have thought I’d given him a car!
Hi Paul, Those who have everything value nothing.
Those who have nothing value everything.
I need to restate the Main reason to move to another country is there people. If you do not like the culture, why are you there. I really would rather be around happy down to earth people rather than arrogant rich people. Keep writing i enjoy your stories. Scott
Hi Scott;
Rich arrogant people need love too! As one of them told me, “You can’t buy happiness, but you can rent it.” (lol)
I’ll keep writing as long as Bob want to publish my take on living here. Not all view it the same way, and that’s what makes LiP fun to read, the diversity is interesting.
My friend and our wives are taking a “Road Trip” Monday, north to Vigan for a few days next week that was inspired by an article written by Paul Keating awhile back, so I too learn a lot here on LiP.
Imagine;
On the 4th the chickens did not die in vain, nor the fish. Hamburgers were kept to a minimum, but old SMB’s were not. A good day was had by all.
Albeit I’ve sailed under the “Bridge of the Americas” a few times I’ve yet to drive across it. Check the coins you get in change, as I’d found some from the 20’s and 30’s. and one 20 dollar gold certificate. I have many fond memories of Panama City.
Sounds like a good time for all, and Liempo coming soon – happy early B-Day!!
BTW, I looked thru the pictures and didn’t notice one of you in front of the Damnable Singing Machine with a mic in your hand (lol).
Gary;
By the time I’m ready to sing, I’m asleep. Saved by the bell, (SMB’s).
Hey Paul,
It looks as if things turned out well. You talked about putting chickens on the spit, But the chickens I’ve seen over there are no Foster farm birds ha ha 🙂 I think the chickens there have died from malnutrition. I usually marinate my chicken in beer overnight to give it that special flavor.
I gave my brother-in-law there some cheap Taiwan tools. He thought he died and went to heaven. He’s still thanking me for them…just wait til they break on him.
He also wants me to send him some more flints for the zippo I gave him…There must be someplace in Davao where they sell them.
Hi Hudson;
I bought some 45 day chickens that I think they were really 30 day. About 1½ pounds each, not the biggest bird in the hen house. My wife won’t let me use beer (As I drink it too fast) as a marinade, so for years I’ve added white wine without her knowing it, since we were married, and have never told her. She loves it!
If you really want to be worshiped, give them a Stanley Hammer, I did and they built a shrine to me.
I can buy flints for my Zippo’s here, (in Olongapo) but you must call them stones, or they have no idea what you’re asking for. I learned that the hard way.
Hi Paul- Hate to rain on your parade but my bog standard garden BBQ brick built with stone facing with double variable cooking grills costing approx Peso 1,000.00 and very little to go wrong or clean is a better choice than you and Bob’s preference in my humble opinion.
After we have finished cooking the wildlife that abounds cleans our cooking grills along with the odd shower so its more user and eco friendly. We can get more supping done rather that bother shining the stainless steel Rolls Royce models you both have made. Additionally our cooking grills rust which adds more flavour to whatever we BBQ.
So apart from it taking a day and an afternoon to bild and much less in spend we can replace anytime should it collapse.
Ha!Ha!Ha!
Jim.
Jim;
Remember, this is all in fun!
Now that it’s the rainy season, my parade stays constantly rained on. But, I have no buyer’s remorse. No doubt your grill is better than my grill and my dogs bigger than your dog.
Rust as a condiment is something I can live without, but my main question is, “Where do you put the wheel?”(lol)
It was the part on when it “collapses” that caught my eye, if it’s brick and stone, why would it fall down?
Who shines stainless steel? Coat it with cooking oil before and after use, and it’s easy to clean, just like a Roll Royce, albeit it’s much harder to get that mechanic that’s required to ride with you, to shower daily.(lol)
Very nice grill, You guys have inspired me to look for plans for a smoker built out of brick I can have built there. I figure it will be a nice addition to the restaurant to have slow smoked BBQ on special days,,, (mainly for me tehehe) If all else fails Ill use the terricotta version I see floating around the internet thought up by a chef on a TV food network here.
My only problem will be finding the wood :/ But any citrus wood will work so I’m keeping my fingers crossed. Im pretty sure palm trees wont tast very good :/
Jack;
Building a smoker is a can do job, you tell the guys how you want it and it will appear.
I’m with you on burning palm, as it does smoke and smell bad.
Senior,
Grill looks good and the stainless adds class. If Jim wants to chew on rust to get him iron and some wildlife leftovers you no what I mean 🙂 more power to him.
Paul ever think about putting up a small overhead so you can bbq all year long rain or shine?
Bruce, go to LiP Photo Gallery and see all my grill pictures, it’s under an overhang. and it did rain the first time I used it.
Senior;
Seen your pics and It’s a fine work of art and ready for all occasions.
Bruce;
Check out Jame’s Post on his house up-date, great lookin’ grill also.
Good looking grill Paul. I guess you could call it ‘BDG Mk2’, lol. Kuya looks like a very skilled artisan which we know there is no shortage of in the Phils, one of the many reasons I love it there. By the way anyone who puts ketchup on a hotdog is probably a Yankee fan anway. There aren’t many hotdogs down Samar way, I don’t really miss them though when I’m there; the five inch long shrimp make up for them and would taste just fine with a little bbq sauce on the grill!
Mark;
The Yankees have fans? I also love to BBQ Shrimp, yet we have many great non red Hot Dogs here in my area. Kuya Obet is a class guy, who can build anything; I keep him on speed dial for sure. My Wife was born in Samar, but we like Bataan/
Hi Paul, I thought that I remembered in a past post that you mentioned that Mayang was originally from Samar, but it didn’t resgister to me at the time. Did she grow up there? I was just curious if she had lived there long enough to remember her Bisaya language…
Grill came out great by the way. I like mustard and relish on my hotdogs…
Hi Queeniebee;
Yes she speaks the language, but she left there when she was age 3, and grew up in Olongapo City.
Good looking grill Paul. I guess you could call it ‘BDG Mk2’, lol. Kuya looks like a very skilled artisan which we know there is no shortage of in the Phils, one of the many reasons I love it there. By the way anyone who puts ketchup on a hotdog is probably a Yankee fan anway. There aren’t many hotdogs down Samar way, I don’t really miss them though when I’m there; the five inch long shrimp make up for them and would taste just fine with a little bbq sauce on the grill!
Sorry for the double post. Internet connection issues here in ‘Beautiful Downtown Cleveland’ (another 3rd world city…) Maybe Bob can clean it up for me? :-p
Hell I almost answered it!(lol)