Okay, so I’ve always wanted a nice brick barbecue in my backyard. I mean, who doesn’t? Store-bought ones are okay, but they’re either flimsy or super expensive. So, I thought, “Why not build one myself?” I’m no expert, but I’m pretty handy, and I figured I could handle it. Spoiler alert: I did, and it was a blast!
Getting Started: The Plan (and the Mess)
First things first, I needed a plan. I sketched out a basic design on a piece of paper – nothing fancy, just a rectangular box with a grill area and a small space for charcoal. I watched a few videos online, just to get a general idea of the process. I knew it would not that easy like drawing,haha!
Then came the fun part (not really): clearing the space. My chosen spot was a bit overgrown, so I spent a good afternoon hacking away at weeds and leveling the ground. It was sweaty work, and I definitely pulled a muscle or two, but hey, gotta prep the area, right?
Laying the Foundation: Concrete Jungle
Next up, the foundation. I dug a shallow trench, maybe about 6 inches deep, and filled it with concrete. I mixed the concrete myself in a wheelbarrow – talk about a workout! I made sure it was level (super important!) and let it dry for a couple of days. This part was a bit boring, to be honest, but it’s the base of everything, so it had to be done right.
Building the Walls: Brick by Brick
Now for the actual bricklaying! I bought a bunch of standard red bricks and some mortar mix. I’d never laid bricks before, so this was a learning experience. I started by spreading a layer of mortar on the concrete foundation, then carefully placing the first brick. I used a level and a trowel to make sure everything was straight and even. It was slow going at first, and my first few rows were definitely a bit wobbly, but I got the hang of it eventually.
I built the walls up layer by layer, making sure to stagger the joints (like a real bricklayer, haha!). I left a space at the front for the grill and a smaller opening at the bottom for airflow to the charcoal. It took a few weekends, but seeing those walls rise was incredibly satisfying.
The Grill and Finishing Touches: Almost There!
Once the walls were up to the right height, I placed a metal grill grate across the top of the cooking area. I found a grate that fit perfectly at a local hardware store. I also added a few firebricks inside the barbecue to help retain heat.
Then, I used a pointing trowel to fill in any gaps between the bricks with mortar. This made it look a lot neater and also helped to strengthen the structure. I did make a little bit of a mess with the mortar. It’s very sticky!
The First Cookout: Success!
After letting the mortar dry for a week, it was finally time for the first cookout! I loaded it up with charcoal, got the fire going, and threw on some burgers and hot dogs. And guess what? It worked perfectly! The food cooked evenly, and the barbecue itself held up great. My friends can not believe I built it all by myself, pretty cool, huh?
Building my own brick barbecue was definitely a challenge, but it was also incredibly rewarding. It wasn’t always easy, and there were definitely moments of frustration, but seeing the finished product and knowing I built it myself? That’s a pretty awesome feeling. Plus, now I have a killer barbecue for all my summer cookouts!