Okay, here’s my blog post about building that brick BBQ grill, written in a casual, conversational tone:
So, I finally got around to building that brick BBQ grill I’ve been talking about. You know, the one I’ve been dreaming of for those perfect summer cookouts? It was a bit of a project, I won’t lie, but totally worth it. Let me walk you through it.
Planning and Gathering
First things first, I sketched out a rough design. Nothing fancy, just a basic box shape. I wanted something simple and functional, not a bricklaying masterpiece. Then, it was time to hit the home improvement store. I grabbed a bunch of bricks – the regular kind, not the fancy firebricks, since I was going for budget-friendly. I also picked up some mortar mix, a trowel, a level, a shovel, and some gravel for the base.
Laying the Foundation
I started by digging a shallow pit, about the size of my planned grill. I dumped in a layer of gravel, making sure it was nice and level. This is super important, or your whole grill will be wonky. You can tamp it down with something heavy.
Building the Walls
Then came the fun part – or the frustrating part, depending on how you look at it. I mixed up the mortar according to the instructions on the bag. It’s kinda like making a really thick, gritty pancake batter. Then, I started laying the bricks, one row at a time. I used the trowel to slap some mortar on each brick, then placed it on the previous row, making sure to stagger the joints like a real brick wall. I used the level constantly to make sure everything was straight and even.
I did one row then wait for it to dry and be solid,then did the next layer.
Adding the Grill Grates
This is a litte tricky,I left some gaps between the bricks on one of the upper rows. These gaps were just wide enough to hold the metal grill grates I’d bought. You could also use some metal rods or angle iron for this, but I just went with the simple brick gap method.
Finishing Touches
Once the mortar was completely dry (which took a couple of days), I gave the whole thing a good scrub with a wire brush to get rid of any loose bits. And that was it! My very own, homemade brick BBQ grill.
First Cookout!
I couldn’t wait to try it out. I fired up some charcoal, threw on some burgers and hot dogs, and… perfection! The grill worked great, and the food tasted amazing. There’s just something special about cooking on a grill you built yourself.
It’s not perfect, mind you. There are a few wonky bricks here and there, and the mortar job isn’t exactly professional. But it’s mine, and I’m pretty proud of it. If you’re thinking of building your own, I say go for it! Just be prepared for a bit of work, and don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty.
