Okay, here’s my attempt at a blog post about building a brick barbecue grill, written in a casual, first-person style, and using basic HTML tags for formatting:
So, I decided it was finally time to build that brick barbecue grill I’d been dreaming about. You know, the kind that looks like it’s been there forever and just screams “summer cookout”? Yeah, that’s what I wanted.
First, I cleared out a nice, level spot in the yard. I didn’t want any leaning tower of BBQ action going on. I got rid of all the grass and weeds, and then I used a tamper to really pack down the dirt. Gotta have a solid foundation, right?
Getting Started
Next up, the fun part – playing with bricks! Well, sort of. I laid out a dry run of the base layer, just to get a feel for the size and shape. It’s way easier to make changes before you start mortaring everything together. Trust me on this one. I used some string and stakes to make sure my lines were straight. Measure twice, cut once, or something like that. But with bricks.
Then came the mixing the mortar. Man, that stuff is messy. I got a big tub, dumped in the mortar mix, and added water slowly, mixing it with a hoe. It should be kind of like peanut butter – not too runny, not too stiff. You want it to hold its shape, but still be workable.
Brick Laying Time!
- Spread Mortar
- First Brick!
- Checking,Checking
Laying the bricks was the real test. I spread a layer of mortar on the ground, then carefully placed my first brick. I tapped it down with the handle of my trowel to get it nice and snug. Then, I used a level to make sure it was, well, level. Both ways! This is super important, or your whole grill will be wonky.
I kept going, one brick at a time, spreading mortar on the bottom and sides of each brick before placing it next to the previous one. I used a trowel to scrape off any excess mortar that squeezed out. You gotta keep checking that level, too. Every brick, every course. It’s tedious, but so worth it.
I built up the walls layer by layer, staggering the joints like you’re supposed to. It looks better, and it’s stronger that way. Every few rows, I checked the overall dimensions again, just to make sure I wasn’t drifting off course.
Final Steps!
Once the main structure was done, I added the grill grates. I’d picked up some heavy-duty ones from the hardware store. I left some gaps between the bricks in a couple of places to support the grates. I just mortared up to the supports, and then added the grill grates, making sure that they were all level, before continuing the build upwards.
The last step was to let the whole thing cure. I covered it with plastic sheeting to keep the rain off and let the mortar set up properly. This took a few days, but patience is key. You don’t want your grill falling apart the first time you use it!
And there you have it! My very own brick barbecue grill. It took some time and effort, but it was totally worth it. Now, who’s ready for some burgers?
