Okay, so, I’ve always wanted a real nice brick BBQ grill in my backyard, you know? Something that says “I’m serious about grilling.” So, a few weeks back, I finally decided to just go for it and build one myself.
First things first, I needed to gather all the stuff I’d need. Bricks, obviously, are the main thing here. I did a bit of reading and found out that any type of brick will do the job for the grill structure, but it’s way better to use firebricks for the inside. They can handle the crazy high temperatures and hold onto the heat really well. I went to the local hardware store, picked out some nice-looking bricks, and also grabbed a bunch of firebricks. Also, I got some mortar mix, a trowel, a level, and a few other tools I thought I might need. They told me that brick is a good choice, which can stand with the heat and won’t fall apart. And brick comes in different colors, I could pick the one I like. They also told me that masonry BBQs are better than traditional ones. Sounded good!
Next up, I had to figure out where to put this thing. I picked a spot in my backyard that was far enough from the house and trees but still convenient to get to. Then, I started digging. I made a shallow foundation, about 6 inches deep, and filled it with gravel for drainage. After that, I mixed up the mortar according to the instructions on the bag. I’m no pro at this, but I managed to get it to a consistency that seemed right.
Now for the fun part – laying the bricks! I started with the base, making sure each brick was level and that I staggered the joints like I saw in some online tutorials. I’m not gonna lie, it was slow going at first. But I got the hang of it after a while. I just took my time, double-checked everything with the level, and before I knew it, I had the walls going up. I left some gaps for airflow at the bottom, which I figured was important for a good fire. When I reached the desired height, I had to start laying the firebricks for the cooking surface. This was a bit tricky because I wanted to make sure it was all even and sturdy. I used regular bricks to make a sort of shelf to hold the charcoal grate, too.
Once the main structure was done, I let it cure for a few days. The waiting was the hardest part! Finally, the day came to test it out. I placed some charcoal on the grate, lit it up, and waited for it to get nice and hot. The first thing I cooked was some burgers, and let me tell you, they were amazing! There’s just something about cooking on a grill you built yourself that makes the food taste even better. Someone said that “building a DIY brick BBQ in your backyard is a rewarding project that enhances your outdoor living space and adds tradition to your meals.” I totally agree. It makes a permanent cooking area in my yard. It’s just a great project.
The whole project took me a couple of weekends, and yeah, it was a lot of work. But it was totally worth it. I heard that DIY brick BBQ might cost about $500 for materials. I spent about that much, too. Now I’ve got a sweet brick BBQ grill that I’m super proud of. It’s not perfect, but it’s mine, and it makes some darn good food. I can enjoy those delicious meals with my family and friends. If you’re thinking about building one, I say go for it! Just be prepared to put in some elbow grease.
