Okay, here’s my blog post about building my own brick barbecue grill:
So, I’ve always wanted a proper barbecue grill in my backyard. I mean, those flimsy metal ones you buy at the store? They just don’t cut it. I wanted something solid, something that would last, and something I could proudly say I built myself. That’s when I decided to tackle a homemade brick barbecue grill.
Getting Started
First things first, I sketched out a rough plan. Nothing fancy, just a basic rectangular shape with a firebox and a grilling area. I wanted it to be big enough to cook for a crowd, but not so massive it took over the whole yard.
Next up was gathering materials. I hit up the local home improvement store and loaded up on:
- Bricks – and lots of ’em! I went with standard red clay bricks.
- Mortar mix – this is the “glue” that holds the bricks together.
- Some firebricks for the firebox area.
- A couple of steel grates for the cooking surface.
- Basic tools: trowel, level, shovel, a bucket for mixing mortar.
The Build
I started by digging out a shallow foundation and tamping down the soil. Made a good solid and levelled area. Then, I mixed up a batch of mortar – think of it like making really thick, gritty pancake batter. The key is to get the consistency right: not too runny, not too stiff.
I started laying the first course of bricks, spreading a layer of mortar on the bottom and sides of each brick before placing it. This was the slow part, making sure everything was level and straight. I used a level constantly, tapping the bricks gently with the trowel handle to adjust them.
Slowly but surely, the walls started to rise. I staggered the joints between the bricks, like you see on a regular brick wall – this makes the whole structure stronger. When I got to the firebox area, I switched to firebricks, which can handle higher temperatures.
Once the main structure was up, I built in some supports for the steel grates. I just left some gaps between the bricks at the right height, so the grates could rest snugly on them.
Finishing Touches
After the mortar had dried for a few days (very important!), I fired it up for the first time. I started with a small fire, just to let the whole thing cure properly. Then, I gradually built it up to cooking temperature.
The first cookout was a triumph! Burgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob – everything tasted amazing with that smoky barbecue flavor. And the best part? I could look at that grill and say, “I built that!”
It wasn’t a super-fast project, and it definitely took some elbow grease. But honestly, building my own brick barbecue grill was one of the most satisfying DIY projects I’ve ever done. It looks great, it works great, and it’ll probably outlast me! If you’re even a little bit handy, I highly recommend giving it a shot.
