Okay, so I decided to build a wood stove out of bricks, right? Sounds simple enough, but let me tell you, it was a whole thing. First off, I started gathering all the stuff I needed. This meant a bunch of bricks, some clay, and some sand. I figured, you know, how hard could it be? It’s just stacking bricks, right?
I found a spot in my backyard, cleared it out, and started laying down the first layer of bricks. This was going to be the base. I made a simple rectangle shape. Not bad, not bad. I was feeling pretty good about myself at this point. I just randomly picked it because it gets a good mix of sun and shade. Nice spot I think.
Then came the tricky part. I had to mix the clay and sand to make the mortar. I didn’t really know the right ratio, so I just kind of eyeballed it. It was messy, let me tell you. Getting the consistency right was a pain. Too watery, too crumbly – I went through a couple of batches before I got something that seemed to work. I put some water in a bucket and started mixing like a madman.
Building the Walls
- Layer after layer, I started building up the walls. This is where my “engineering” skills were really put to the test. Keeping the walls straight and level? Way harder than it looks.
- I used some scrap wood to prop things up, but those bricks had a mind of their own. They kept wanting to lean and tumble. I felt like I was fighting with them.
- After a lot of sweat and, I’ll admit, a few choice words, I managed to get the walls up. Not perfect, but standing. I think it was about four or five layers high. I lost count, to be honest.
Then I had to make the firebox, which is basically the space where the wood goes. I made a little door by leaving a gap in the bricks. I used a piece of metal I found in my garage as the door. It’s a bit makeshift, but it does the job.
Next up was the chimney. Now, I’m no expert, but I figured the smoke has to go somewhere, right? So, I started stacking bricks to make a narrow column. It was a bit wobbly, but I reinforced it with extra mortar. Seemed to do the trick.
Finally, I let the whole thing dry for a few days. I was itching to try it out. Then came the big moment. I put some wood in the firebox, lit it up, and waited. There was smoke, a lot of it at first, but then, it started drawing up the chimney. Success! It actually worked!
It’s not the prettiest thing, and it’s definitely not something you’d see in a fancy home magazine. But it throws off heat, and it’s kind of cool to say I built it myself. Plus, it’s a great way to get rid of scrap wood. All in all, I’d say it was a successful project. Would I do it again? Maybe. But I’d probably invest in a level next time. And maybe some gloves. My hands took a beating.
