Okay, so I decided to build a brick grill in my backyard. I’ve always wanted a proper place to barbecue, and I figured, why not just do it myself? How hard could it be, right?
Getting Started
First things first, I needed a plan. I drew up some rough sketches, nothing fancy, just a basic box shape. I measured out the space in my yard where I wanted it to go, making sure there was plenty of room around it.
Then, I went to the hardware store and loaded up on supplies. I got a bunch of bricks – the regular red kind, nothing special – some mortar mix, and a few tools I didn’t already have, like a trowel and a level.
Laying the Foundation
The first real step was laying the foundation. I dug out a shallow pit, about the size of the grill base, and filled it with gravel. I tamped that down real good to make sure it was solid and level. This part was a bit of a workout, I’m not gonna lie.
Building the Walls
Next up, I started laying the bricks. I mixed up the mortar according to the instructions on the bag – it’s basically like making cement. I spread a layer of mortar on the gravel base, then placed the first row of bricks. I used the level to make sure everything was straight and even.
I kept going like that, row by row, spreading mortar, placing bricks, and checking the level. It was slow going, and my back started to ache, but I kept at it. I made sure to stagger the joints between the bricks, like you’re supposed to, for extra strength.
The Grill Grate
Once the walls were up to the height I wanted, I left some spaces for the grill grate to sit on. I just skipped a brick here and there on a couple of rows. Simple enough.
Finishing Up
After the main structure was done, I let the mortar dry for a couple of days. Then I went back and filled in any gaps with extra mortar, just to make it look a bit neater. I found a metal grate at a scrap yard that fit perfectly, cleaned it up, and placed it in the slots I’d made.
The Result
And that’s it! My very own brick grill. It’s not perfect, a little rough around the edges, but I built it myself. I fired it up last weekend and cooked some burgers and they were delicious. It’s pretty satisfying to cook on something you’ve made with your own hands. Now I just need to invite the all friends for next time!
