Okay, here’s my blog post about building a brick gas grill:
Man, I’ve always wanted a serious grill in my backyard. Not one of those flimsy metal things, but a real, solid, brick beast. So, I finally decided to just go for it. Here’s how the whole thing went down.
Planning and Prep
First, I spent some time sketching out what I wanted. Nothing fancy, just a basic rectangular shape with a space for the gas grill insert and a bit of counter space on either side. I figured out the dimensions based on the size of the grill I bought and how much room I had in my yard.
Then came the fun part – gathering materials. I hit up the local home improvement store and loaded up on bricks, mortar, sand, and gravel. I also made sure I had all the tools: a trowel, level, shovel, wheelbarrow, and a rubber mallet. Safety first, so I also got some gloves and safety glasses.
Laying the Foundation
I started by digging out the area where the grill was going to sit. I went down about six inches and made sure the ground was level. Then, I dumped in a layer of gravel and tamped it down really well. This was to help with drainage. Next, I added a layer of sand and leveled that out too. This gave me a nice, solid base for the bricks.
Building the Walls
This was the real workout. I mixed the mortar according to the instructions on the bag – not too wet, not too dry. Then, I started laying the first course of bricks, making sure to use the level to keep everything straight and even. I used the trowel to apply a layer of mortar to the foundation and to the sides of each brick before setting it in place. It’s kinda like Legos, but way heavier and messier!
I kept building up the walls, course by course, staggering the joints for strength. I made sure to leave the opening for the grill insert, using some scrap wood to support the bricks above it until the mortar dried. I also left some small gaps at the bottom of the back wall for ventilation.
Adding the Grill and Finishing Touches
Once the walls were up and the mortar had a few days to dry, I carefully slid the gas grill insert into place. It fit like a glove! Then, I built up the counter areas on either side, using some larger paving stones for the top surface. These were just laid in place, no mortar needed, so I could easily remove them if I ever needed to access the grill.
Finally, I cleaned everything *, I took that rubber mallet and tapped some of the bricks, make them looked great.
The Result
It took a few weekends of hard work, but man, it was worth it. I’ve got a killer brick gas grill that’s going to last for years. And the best part? I built it myself! Now, who’s ready for some burgers?
