Okay, so I’ve been wanting a proper grill for ages, but those fancy ones are crazy expensive. Then I stumbled upon this idea of building one with bricks – sounds pretty straightforward, right? Turns out, it kinda is! Let me walk you through what I did.
Gathering the Goods
First things first, I needed bricks. I found a local place selling used ones – way cheaper than buying new, and they have that cool, weathered look. I grabbed about, hmm, maybe 60? Better to have extra than not enough. Also snagged some sand, gravel, and a couple of metal grates for the actual grilling surface. Oh, and some heavy-duty gloves, ’cause those bricks are rough.
Picking the Spot
Next up, location, location, location. I wanted it close enough to the patio for easy access, but not so close that smoke would be billowing into the house. Found a nice level spot in the corner of the yard, cleared out the grass and weeds – that was a workout in itself!
Laying the Foundation
This part was crucial. I dug a shallow pit, maybe 6 inches deep, and filled it with a layer of gravel for drainage. Then, I topped that with a layer of sand, making sure it was all nice and level. This is what the bricks would sit on, so I took my time getting it right.
Building the Walls
Now for the fun part – stacking bricks! I started with the base layer, dry-fitting them first to get the shape and size I wanted. It’s basically a rectangular box, open at the top and with a smaller opening at the front for airflow. Once I was happy with the layout, I started mortaring the bricks together. Okay, “mortaring” might be a strong word – I just used a simple mix of sand and cement, slapping it on with a trowel. Definitely not a professional job, but it got the job done!
I built up the walls layer by layer, staggering the joints for extra strength. It’s like playing with giant LEGOs, except messier. Left a couple of gaps near the bottom of the front wall – those are important for letting air in to feed the fire.
Adding the Grates
Once the walls were high enough (about waist-high for me), I placed the metal grates on top. One grate sits lower down, closer to the fire, for searing. The other one sits higher up, for slower cooking or keeping things warm. I just rested them on the bricks, no fancy attachments needed.
The First Cookout!
After letting the mortar dry for a couple of days (patience is not my strong suit), it was time for the inaugural cookout! I built a fire in the bottom, let it burn down to hot coals, and threw on some burgers and hot dogs. Success! They cooked perfectly, and that smoky flavor was amazing.
Things I Learned:
- Measure twice, cut once (or in this case, lay once). Double-check your layout before you start mortaring.
- Used bricks are your friend. Cheaper and they look cooler.
- Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. This is a messy project, but it’s worth it.
- Simple is good. You don’t need fancy tools or techniques to build a functional grill.
Overall, I’m super happy with how it turned out. It’s not perfect, but it’s mine, and it makes some darn good food. Plus, I saved a ton of money by doing it myself. If you’re looking for a fun and rewarding project, I definitely recommend giving this a try!
