Okay, here’s my blog post about building a BBQ pit with bricks.
So, I’ve always wanted a nice little BBQ pit in my backyard, you know? Something simple, but sturdy. And I’ve always been a bit of a hands-on guy, so I figured, why not build it myself? Plus, it’s way cheaper than getting someone else to do it. I did a bit of looking around online and finally settled on a basic brick design. It seemed straightforward enough, even for a DIY newbie like me.
First things first, I gathered all the stuff I needed. This meant a trip to the local hardware store. I picked up a bunch of regular old bricks – nothing fancy, just the standard red ones. Also grabbed some mortar mix, a trowel, a level, and a few other bits and pieces. Oh, and I borrowed a wheelbarrow from my neighbor, which was a lifesaver.
Next up, I had to prep the area. I picked a spot in my backyard that was a good distance from the house and any trees. Then I marked out a rectangular area for the base of the pit, using some string and stakes. I made sure it was level, because that’s super important. I dug out the area to a depth of about 6 inches, just to give it a solid foundation.
Now for the fun part – actually laying the bricks. I mixed up the mortar according to the instructions on the bag. It was kind of like making a giant batch of really thick, gritty cake batter. Then, starting at one corner of the base, I started laying down the bricks. I spread a layer of mortar on the ground, placed a brick on top, and tapped it into place with the trowel handle. Rinse and repeat.
Building up the walls
- Keep it level: I used the level constantly to make sure each brick was level and that the rows were straight. This part was a little tricky, but I got the hang of it after a while.
- Stagger the joints: This is important for stability, just like building a Lego tower!
- Take breaks: My back started to ache after a while, so I took breaks to stretch and rest.
Slowly but surely, I built up the walls of the pit, row by row. I left an opening at the front for adding charcoal and wood later on. Once the walls were the height I wanted, I let the whole thing dry for a couple of days. The mortar needed time to cure and harden up.
After it was all dry, I cleaned off any excess mortar with a wire brush. Then, I threw in some charcoal and wood, lit it up, and grilled some burgers to celebrate! It wasn’t perfect, a little wonky in places, but it was mine, and it worked great. The burgers tasted amazing, maybe it was just the satisfaction of cooking on something I built myself. All in all, it was a fun little project, and I’d definitely recommend giving it a try if you’re feeling handy and want a cheap way to get your grill on.
And the best thing is that when my friends came over for the first time to have a barbecue and saw my homemade BBQ pit, they all asked, “Wow, did you make this?” I proudly said, “Yeah, I did.” That feeling of accomplishment? Priceless.
So, yeah, that’s my story. It’s not rocket science, but it’s a good way to spend a weekend and end up with something cool and useful. Plus, you get bragging rights, which is always a bonus!
