Okay, here we go, let’s talk about how I made a brick barbecue grill in my backyard.
Man, I’ve always wanted a proper barbecue setup, not just those flimsy metal grills you pick up at the store. I’m talking about a real, solid, brick barbecue grill. Something that says, “I take my grilling seriously.” So, I finally decided to just build one myself.
Planning it out
First things first, I had to figure out where to put this thing. I paced around my backyard for a good hour, imagining different spots. You gotta think about smoke, you know? Don’t want to be choking out my neighbors every time I fire it up. Finally, I settled on a corner spot that seemed to get good airflow. I used some spray paint that I found in the garage and marked an outline of the grill on the grass.
Gathering supplies
Next up, supplies. I needed bricks, and lots of ’em. I hit up a local building supply place and grabbed a bunch of standard red bricks. Nothing fancy, just your basic bricks. I also got some mortar mix, which is like the glue that holds the bricks together. Oh, and I picked up a metal grill grate, gotta have something to actually cook the food on!
Laying the foundation
Now, the real work begins. I dug out a shallow foundation where I marked the grass, just a few inches deep, and filled it with some gravel I had leftover from another project. This helps with drainage and keeps the grill stable. Then, I started mixing the mortar. It’s kinda like making a really thick, gritty pancake batter. You gotta get the consistency just right, not too watery, not too stiff.
Building it up
Once the foundation was set, I started laying bricks. I started with a simple rectangular base, laying the bricks in rows and slathering each one with mortar. I’m no bricklayer, that’s for sure, but I did my best to keep things level and even. It was slow going, but kinda therapeutic, you know? Like building with giant, heavy LEGOs. I kept building up, row by row, until the walls of the grill were about waist-high. I made sure to leave an opening at the bottom for air to flow through, and another opening near the top to set the grill grate in. I had to cut a couple bricks in half to make everything fit properly, which was a pain, but I managed.
Finishing touches
After the walls were up, I let the mortar dry for a couple of days. Then, I placed the grill grate in its spot. It fit perfectly! I also built a little side shelf out of some extra bricks, which is handy for holding plates and stuff. And that’s pretty much it! My very own, homemade brick barbecue grill.
The first cookout
Of course, I had to have a cookout to celebrate. I invited some friends over, fired up the grill, and threw on some burgers and hot dogs. The grill worked like a charm! It held the heat really well, and the food tasted amazing. There’s just something about cooking on a grill you built yourself that makes everything taste better.
It was a lot of work, no doubt. My back was killing me for days. But honestly, it was totally worth it. Now I’ve got a killer barbecue setup that’ll last for years. And the best part is, I can say I built it myself. If I can do it, anyone can. Just be prepared to get your hands dirty!
