Okay, let’s talk about building an outdoor fireplace with bricks.
Choosing the Right Bricks
First off, I knew I couldn’t just use any old bricks for this project. I mean, we’re talking about something that’s gonna be dealing with some serious heat. So, I did a bit of digging around and found out that fire bricks, also known as refractory bricks, are the way to go. These bad boys are denser and go through a special kiln process that makes them tough as nails against high temperatures. Plus, they’re bigger and thicker than regular bricks, which is exactly what I needed.
Getting Started
I started by figuring out where I wanted this fireplace to be in my backyard. Once I had the spot picked out, I made sure the ground was level. A solid foundation is key, you know? Then, I started laying out the base with the fire bricks. I made a simple rectangular shape, but you can get creative here if you want.
Laying the Bricks
Now, this is where the real work began. I mixed up some mortar – basically a cement-like paste – and started laying the bricks one by one. I made sure to stagger the joints, like you see on most brick walls. This makes the whole thing stronger. I used a trowel to spread the mortar and a level to make sure each brick was, well, level. It was a bit slow going at first, but I got the hang of it.
Building Up
I just kept adding layers of bricks, building up the walls of the fireplace. I made sure to leave an opening in the front, obviously, for the fire itself. I also had to build a firebox, which is basically the inside part where the fire burns. This part was a little tricky, but I managed.
Adding the Chimney
Once the main part of the fireplace was built, I started on the chimney. This is important for letting the smoke out. I continued laying bricks, making the chimney narrower as it went up. It’s kind of like building a tower, but with a hole in the middle.
Finishing Touches
After the chimney was done, I let the whole thing dry for a few days. Then, I went back and cleaned up any excess mortar. I also added a little cap on top of the chimney to keep rain out. And that’s pretty much it!
The Result
Now I’ve got a sweet outdoor fireplace made of brick. It looks pretty darn good, if I do say so myself. And it’s perfect for those chilly evenings when you want to sit outside and enjoy a fire. It was a lot of work, but totally worth it. I learned a ton in the process and I’ll show you.
- I chose fire bricks due to their density and special kiln process to withstand high temperatures.
- Leveled the ground and laid out the base with fire bricks, forming a simple rectangular shape.
- Mixed mortar, laid bricks one by one, staggering the joints for strength.
- Built up the walls, leaving an opening for the fire, and constructed the firebox.
- Constructed the chimney, narrowing it as it went up, similar to building a tower with a hole.
- Let the structure dry for a few days, cleaned up excess mortar, and added a cap on the chimney.
- Now have a functional and aesthetically pleasing outdoor brick fireplace, perfect for chilly evenings.
I hope this was helpful! Let me know if you have any questions, and happy building!
