Okay, so I’ve always wanted a proper BBQ pit in my backyard. I mean, who doesn’t love a good cookout? I’ve been using one of those flimsy metal grills for years, and it was finally time for an upgrade. I decided to go all-in and build a brick BBQ pit. It seemed like a fun project, and honestly, how hard could it be, right?
Getting Started
First, I sketched out a rough idea of what I wanted. Nothing fancy, just a basic rectangular pit. I figured about 3 feet wide, 2 feet deep, and maybe 2.5 feet high would be good. Then I went and bought a ton of bricks, not gonna lie I buy too much bricks, i always think they are not enough.I also grabbed some mortar mix, a trowel, a level, and a few other basic tools from the hardware store.
The Build
I started by laying out the first layer of bricks on the ground, just to get a feel for the size and make sure I had enough space. I didn’t use any mortar at first, just dry-fitting everything. This part was actually kind of fun, like playing with giant LEGOs.
Once I was happy with the layout, I mixed up the mortar. This was messier than I expected! It’s like making really thick, gritty pancake batter. Then I started laying the first course of bricks, using the mortar to hold them together. I used the level constantly to make sure everything was straight and even. This was crucial, because if the first layer is wonky, the whole thing will be messed up.
- Spread the mortar on the ground where the first brick would go.
- Place the brick on top, pressing down firmly.
- Tap it gently with the trowel handle to level it.
- Check with the level, both horizontally and vertically.
- Repeat for the rest of the bricks in the first course.
I kept building up the walls, layer by layer. It was slow going, and my back started to ache after a while. But it was also pretty satisfying to see the pit taking shape. Between each layer, I made sure to stagger the bricks, like you see on a regular brick wall. This makes the whole structure stronger.
The Grilling Surface
Once the walls were up to the height I wanted, I needed to create a surface to hold the charcoal and the grill grate. I laid some bricks sideways across the inside of the pit, leaving gaps for airflow. I also threw in some scrap metal pieces that I found around, to support the grill grate at two different heights. It’s so coooool!
Finishing Touches (and Mistakes!)
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 or uneven spots with extra mortar. I made a few mistakes along the way, for sure. There were a couple of places where the bricks weren’t perfectly level, and I had to do some creative patching. But hey, it’s a DIY project, it doesn’t have to be perfect!
Finally, I threw some charcoal in, placed the grill grate on top, and fired it up! The first BBQ was a success. It felt amazing to cook on something I built myself. It’s not the prettiest BBQ pit in the world, but it’s solid, it works great, and I made it with my own two hands. That’s what counts, right?
