Okay, so I decided to build a BBQ pit from bricks. I’ve always wanted a permanent BBQ setup in my backyard, something more substantial than those flimsy metal grills.
Getting Started
First, I cleared a spot in the yard. I wanted it away from the house, but not too far out in the boonies. It’s gotta be convenient, you know? Then I leveled the ground. This took a while, using a shovel, a level, and some good old-fashioned eyeballing.
Laying the Foundation
Next up, I laid down a base of gravel. Just dumped a few bags of the stuff and spread it around. After the gravel layer, I mixed some concrete and poured a small slab. This wasn’t super pretty, but it’s just the base, so who cares? I let that cure for a couple of days. Patience is key, my friends, though waiting is the hardest part.
Building the Walls
Now for the fun part – bricks! I got a bunch of regular old red bricks from the hardware store. Nothing fancy. I mixed up some mortar – that’s the sticky stuff that holds the bricks together – and started laying them. I’m no bricklayer, so it wasn’t perfect, but I took my time, checked the level every few bricks, and made sure it was reasonably straight. Layer by layer, this thing started to look like a real BBQ pit.
- Mix mortar.
- Lay first brick.
- Check level, adjust.
- Repeat, a LOT.
The Grill Grate
I left an opening at the top for the grill grate, I found it in my backyard. I simply placed this metal grate and it will rests on the bricks. Simple, but effective.
Finishing Touches (and Mistakes!)
I added a few extra bricks around the edges to make it look a little nicer, I thought about adding a chimney, but decided against it. It made the whole process more complicated. It’s my first brick BBQ, so I’m gonna make some mistakes, I am learning along the way!
The First Cookout!
Finally, it was time to fire it up! I threw some charcoal in, lit it up, and cooked some burgers and dogs. They tasted amazing! Probably because I was so proud of my handiwork. Seriously, food just tastes better when you cook it on something you built yourself.
It’s not perfect, but it’s mine. And it’s gonna be the scene of many delicious BBQs for years to come. Next time, I do some research before I start my project.
