Okay, here is my blog post about building a small brick outdoor fireplace:
Man, I’ve always wanted a little spot in my backyard where I could just chill by a fire, you know? So, I finally did it. I built a small brick outdoor fireplace, and let me tell you, it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be.
First, I looked up some designs online, just to get an idea of what I was getting into. I decided on a simple, kinda square-ish design. Nothing too fancy, just something that looked nice and would get the job done.
Then came the fun part – getting the materials. I headed down to the local hardware store and picked up a bunch of bricks, some mortar mix, and a few other things like a level and a trowel. I think I spent about $100 in total, which wasn’t too bad.
Before I started laying bricks, I marked out the area where the fireplace was going to go. I used some string and stakes to make sure everything was straight and level. This part took a little while, but it was worth it to get it right.
Laying the Foundation
- I dug a shallow hole, about 6 inches deep, for the base.
- Then I filled it with some gravel and tamped it down real good.
- After that, I mixed up some mortar and started laying the first layer of bricks.
The first few rows were a little tricky. I had to make sure everything was level and that the corners were square. I used my level a lot, I can tell you that much! I kept checking and double-checking, ’cause I didn’t want this thing to be all wonky.
Once I got the hang of it, it went pretty smoothly. I just kept laying bricks, one row at a time, making sure to stagger the joints. I added more mortar, slapped on more bricks, and leveled it all out. It was actually kind of therapeutic, you know? Just me, the bricks, and the mortar.
Building It Up
- Used a trowel to apply mortar to each brick.
- Carefully placed each brick, tapping it gently with the trowel handle to set it in place.
- Checked the level frequently to ensure each row was straight.
- Continued laying bricks, row by row, until the fireplace reached the desired height.
I built it up to about waist height, which seemed like a good size. I also left an opening in the front for the firebox, obviously. I mean, you gotta have a place for the fire, right? I built a little archway over the opening, just to make it look a little nicer, and for some structural stability.
After all the bricks were laid, I let the mortar dry for a few days. It was tough to wait, I wanted to try it right away. Once it was all set, I cleaned up any excess mortar with a brush and some water. And then finally, it was time for the moment of truth.
I built a small fire in the firebox, and it worked perfectly! It was such a great feeling to see it all come together. Now I have a sweet little spot in my backyard where I can relax by the fire, roast some marshmallows, and just enjoy the outdoors. Best $100 I ever spent! Seriously, if I can do it, anyone can.
It took some time and effort, but it was totally worth it. Now I’ve got a sweet little fireplace in my backyard that I built with my own two hands.