Okay, let’s talk about my little project: building a brick grill in my backyard. I’ve always wanted a nice spot to grill, and a brick one just seemed like it would look awesome and last forever.
Getting Started
First, I spent a bunch of time looking at pictures online, trying to figure out what kind of design I liked. There are so many options! Some were simple, some were super fancy with all kinds of built-in stuff. I decided to go with something in the middle – nice looking but not too complicated.
Planning and Measuring
Next, I drew up some plans. This took a while because I had to measure everything out super carefully. I wanted to make sure it would fit right in the spot I had picked out in my yard. I also had to figure out how many bricks I’d need. Let me tell you, there’s a lot of math involved in this kind of project!
Laying the Foundation
Once I had my plan, I started digging. I dug out a shallow area and filled it with gravel, then I poured a concrete slab for the foundation. This was probably the hardest part, physically. Concrete is heavy! I made sure it was level, though, because you definitely don’t want a wonky grill.
Building the Walls
After the foundation was all set, I started laying bricks. I’d never done this before, so it was a learning experience. I mixed up mortar and started putting the bricks down, one by one. It was slow going, but I took my time to make sure each brick was straight and level. I used a level constantly to check my work.
- Laid the first course of bricks carefully, making sure it was perfectly level.
- Continued laying bricks, using mortar to hold them together.
- Checked each row with a level to keep everything straight.
Adding the Details
Once the main walls were up, I added some details. I built in a little shelf for setting things down and left a space for the grill grates. This part was kind of fun because I could get a little creative.
Finishing Up
Finally, I let the whole thing cure for a few days. Then, I cleaned up any extra mortar and fired up the grill for the first time! It was so satisfying to cook on something I built myself.
It was a lot of work, but I’m really happy with how it turned out. It looks great in my backyard, and it’s going to be perfect for summer barbecues. If you’re thinking about building one yourself, I’d say go for it! Just be prepared to put in some time and effort.
