Okay, folks, let’s talk about my weekend project: building a brick grill. I’ve always wanted a proper, permanent grill in my backyard, something more substantial than those flimsy metal ones. So, I finally decided to take the plunge and build one myself.
Getting Started
First things first, I picked a spot in the yard. You want it far enough from the house, trees, anything that could catch fire, obviously. I also made sure it wasn’t going to be in the way of anything else.
Then, I did some sketching. Nothing fancy, just a basic rectangular shape. I looked at some pictures online for inspiration, but mostly I just winged it. I figured out roughly how big I wanted it, and that gave me an idea of how many bricks I’d need.
Gathering Supplies
Next up, a trip to the hardware store. I grabbed a bunch of regular red bricks – the cheap kind, nothing special. I also picked up some mortar mix, a trowel, a level, a shovel, and some gravel for the base. Oh, and some metal grates for the actual grilling surface. I am not expert, just bought what I thought will need.
Laying the Foundation
I dug out a shallow pit where the grill was going to be. Maybe six inches deep, roughly the size of my grill’s footprint. Then I dumped in a layer of gravel and tamped it down real good to make a solid base. This is important, you don’t want your grill settling and cracking later on.
Building the Walls
Now for the fun part – laying bricks! I mixed up the mortar according to the instructions on the bag. It’s basically like making cement, just add water and stir until it’s the consistency of peanut butter. Not too runny, not too stiff.
I started with the bottom layer, spreading a layer of mortar on the gravel, then setting the bricks in place. I used the level to make sure everything was, well, level. It wasn’t perfect, but hey, it’s a grill, not a skyscraper.
I kept adding layers, staggering the bricks like you’re supposed to. You know, so the seams don’t line up. I put mortar between the bricks too, not just underneath. It was messy, but kind of satisfying.
I built up the walls to about waist height. I left some gaps in the front for airflow, and I also left out a couple of bricks on one side to create a little shelf for setting down tools and stuff.
Adding the Grates
Once the walls were up, I set the metal grates in place. I just rested them on top of the bricks. I figured I could always adjust them later if needed. I got two grates, one for the charcoal and one for the food.
Letting it Cure
The mortar needed time to dry and harden, so I left the whole thing alone for a couple of days. I covered it with a tarp to protect it from the rain, just in case.
First Grill!
Finally, it was time to fire it up! I loaded it up with charcoal, lit it up, and threw on some burgers and hot dogs. It worked great! The bricks held the heat really well, and the food cooked evenly.
It’s not the prettiest grill in the world, but I built it myself, and that’s what matters. It’s solid, it works, and it’s going to be the centerpiece of many backyard barbecues to come. And that, my friends, is how you build a brick grill.
