Okay, here’s my blog post about building a brick barbecue with a chimney, written from a personal, hands-on perspective:
So, I’ve always wanted a proper brick barbecue in my backyard. Not one of those flimsy metal things, but a real, solid, permanent fixture. Something I could use for years to come and be proud of. I finally took the plunge and decided to build one myself, complete with a chimney! Here’s how it went down.
Planning and Prep
First, I sketched out a rough design. Nothing fancy, just a basic box shape for the fire pit and a taller section for the chimney. I figured out the dimensions I wanted, keeping in mind the size of my patio and the amount of cooking space I needed.
Next up was gathering materials. I hit up my local hardware store and loaded up on bricks – regular red bricks for the main structure and some firebricks for the inside of the fire pit, since they can handle higher temperatures. I also grabbed cement, mortar mix, some sand, and gravel for the foundation.
Laying the Foundation
This was probably the least exciting part, but super important. I dug out a rectangular area where the barbecue would sit, about 6 inches deep. Then I dumped in a layer of gravel, tamped it down real good, and added a layer of sand on top, making sure it was all level. I want this thing sturdy.
Building the Fire Pit
I started laying the bricks for the base of the fire pit. I mixed up the mortar according to the instructions (it’s like making a really thick, gritty cake batter) and spread it on each brick before setting it in place. I used a level constantly to make sure everything was straight and even. It’s so important! One uneven layer can mess it all.
- First layer down, I kept building up the walls, row by row.
- I left some gaps between the bricks on the bottom row for air circulation.
- For the inside of the fire pit, I used the firebricks, laying them in the same way.
Constructing the Chimney
Once the fire pit was the height I wanted, I started on the chimney. This was a bit trickier because it needed to taper inwards as it went up. I did this by slightly overlapping each row of bricks as I built upwards, creating a gradual slope.
I kept checking the alignment with my level and made small adjustments as needed. I made it! It looked like a real chimney.
Finishing Touches
After the mortar had fully dried (I gave it a few days to be safe), I went back and filled in any gaps with extra mortar, smoothing it out with a trowel. I am satified.
And that’s it! My very own brick barbecue with a chimney. It was a lot of work, but totally worth it. I’ve already fired it up a few times, and it cooks like a dream. There’s something so satisfying about building something with your own two hands and then actually using it. I enjoy my barbecue!
