Okay, so I’ve been wanting to build an outdoor grill for a while now. I finally decided to just go for it, and I picked up a bunch of bricks to make it happen. It was way more fun than I thought it would be!
Getting Started
First, I cleared a spot in my backyard. I wanted it to be near the patio, but not too close to the house. I dug out a little bit of the grass and dirt to make a level surface. This took a bit of time, making sure it was pretty flat.
Laying the Foundation
Next, I laid down some gravel for a base. I didn’t want the bricks sitting directly on the dirt. I poured the gravel out and spread it around evenly. Then, I used a tamper to really pack it down. It was kind of like making a giant sandbox, but way more solid.
Building the Walls
This is where the bricks came in! I started stacking them, staggering the joints like you’re supposed to. I’m no bricklayer, that’s for sure, but it was pretty straightforward. No mortar! Just stack ’em up. I decided to go with the dry-stack method. I placed each brick carefully, trying to keep everything level and straight. I kept checking with a level to make sure it wasn’t leaning.
- Grab your bricks
- Make a plan
- Stack the bricks
Creating the Grill Space
I left an opening in the front for where the coals would go. And another opening on top for placing the grill gates. The grill grate I just rested on top of the bricks. I figured I could adjust the height later if I needed to. I had to fiddle with it a bit to get it to sit right, but it eventually worked out.
The Final Touches
After I was happy with the shape, I just cleaned up the area around the grill. I swept away any loose dirt and gravel. Then, I threw some charcoal in and fired it up! The first thing I cooked was some burgers, and they turned out amazing.
It’s not perfect, but it’s my own brick grill, and I built it myself! It’s super satisfying to cook on something you made with your own two hands. I’m already planning my next cookout!