Okay, so a few weeks ago, I decided I wanted to get into some serious grilling, and not just any grilling, but with a real brick charcoal grill. I’ve always loved the idea of building something with my own hands, and a brick grill seemed like the perfect weekend project. Plus, who doesn’t love the taste of food cooked over charcoal?
First things first, I started doing a bit of research. I found out that it’s really important to use the right kind of bricks. You want the hard, well-burned ones because they can handle the heat. They told me to go with clay bricks and avoid the wire-cut ones. I also learned that firebricks are the best for the inside of the grill since they are denser and can withstand really high temperatures. That makes sense, right? And it holds heat really well to help even out the temps when the fire isn’t constant.
I went down to the local building supply store and picked out some decent-looking facing bricks. These are good because they’re strong and they have those little indents for the mortar. A guy at the store said regular bricks and mortar would work just fine since the hot coals won’t be touching the bricks directly.
Gathering Tools and Materials
I made a list of all the tools and materials I’d need:
- Bricks – I got enough for the whole structure and some extra firebricks for the inside.
- Mortar mix – Just grabbed a few bags to be safe.
- Trowel – For spreading the mortar, obviously.
- Level – To make sure everything is straight.
- Measuring tape – Can’t build anything without it.
- Shovel – For mixing the mortar.
- Bucket – To mix the mortar in.
- Gloves – Didn’t want to ruin my hands.
- Safety glasses – You know, safety first.
- Grill grates – Picked out two grates that would fit my design.
Once I had everything, I started building. Laid out the base, mixed the mortar, and started stacking bricks. It was actually kind of therapeutic, like playing with adult LEGOs. I made sure each layer was level, ’cause you don’t want a wonky grill. I kept going until I had the height I wanted, then I let the mortar dry for a couple of days.
After the mortar was set, I placed the firebricks inside, creating a nice little pit for the charcoal. Then, I put the grill grates on top, and boom, I had myself a brick charcoal grill!
The first time I used it, I invited some friends over. We grilled up some burgers and hot dogs, and let me tell you, they tasted amazing. There’s just something about cooking on a grill you built yourself that makes the food taste even better. I was pretty proud of myself, not gonna lie.
Building a brick charcoal grill is totally doable, even if you’re not a pro. It takes a bit of time and effort, but it’s worth it in the end. If you’re thinking about it, I say go for it. Just make sure you do your research, get the right materials, and take your time. Happy grilling!
