Okay, so, I’ve always wanted a proper place to grill, you know? Like, not just those portable grills you take camping, but a real, solid, permanent spot in my backyard. I finally got around to it and built a BBQ brick grill. Let me tell you, it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. I’m no construction worker, but I managed to pull it off.
First thing I did was to pick a spot. I found a nice, level area in my backyard, away from the house and any overhanging trees. Safety first, right? Then, I went to the hardware store. I ended up buying a bunch of bricks, some concrete mix, and a few other supplies. I have to admit, I felt a little out of my element, but the guy at the store was super helpful. He gave me some good tips and even drew a basic diagram for me.
Back home, I marked out the area where the grill was going to be. I just used some string and stakes. Then came the fun part – digging! I dug a shallow foundation, about six inches deep. Not going to lie, my back was pretty sore by the end of that day. I am not a person who works out a lot!
Next, I mixed the concrete. I just followed the instructions on the bag. It was like making a giant batch of lumpy, gray cake batter. I poured the concrete into the foundation and let it set overnight. Patience is key in these types of projects.
The next day, I started laying bricks. This was actually kind of therapeutic. I started with the base, making sure everything was level. Then I slowly built up the walls, one row at a time. I used a trowel to spread the mortar, which is basically like brick glue. It was messy work, but satisfying.
- Laying the first row was the most crucial. I made sure it was perfectly level and straight.
- After that, it was just a matter of repeating the process, row by row.
- I left some gaps in the walls for airflow. You know, so the fire can breathe.
Once the walls were up, I added a metal grate for the charcoal. I found one at the hardware store that fit perfectly. Then I built a little chimney on top. That was a bit tricky, but I figured it out.
Finally, after a few days of work, it was done! It is just a simple brick grill but it turned out better than I expected. I let it cure for a couple more days, just to be safe, and then it was time for the inaugural cookout. I fired it up, threw some burgers and hot dogs on the grill, and man, did they taste good. All in all, it was a fun and rewarding experience.
My takeaway?
Don’t be afraid to try something new. Even if you’re not a pro, you can still build something cool with your own two hands. Plus, everything tastes better when it’s cooked on a grill you built yourself.
