So, I’ve been wanting to have a proper BBQ spot in my backyard for ages, right? I mean, who doesn’t love a good BBQ? Finally, I decided to just go for it. Build my own brick BBQ pit. Sounds kinda fancy, but it’s really just a lot of stacking and sticking bricks together.
First things first, I had to figure out what kind of bricks to get. You’d think a brick is just a brick, but nah. I learned that the hard way. You need firebricks, especially for the inside part where the fire’s gonna be all up close and personal. Regular bricks? They can’t handle that kind of heat. They’ll crack, or worse, explode! Not fun.
- Gathering Supplies
- Prepping the Area
- Laying the Foundation
- Building the Walls
- Adding the Grates
I went down to the local building supply store. They had a whole section just for firebricks. I asked the guy there for some advice, and he pointed me to these half firebricks. Said they’re perfect for BBQs. They were like two bucks each. Not bad, I thought.
Next, I had to prep the area in my backyard. Cleared out a nice spot, made sure it was level. You don’t want your BBQ pit leaning like the Tower of Pisa, do you?
I laid down a concrete slab for the base. Gotta have a solid foundation, you know? Let that dry for a day or two. Patience is key, even though I was itching to get grilling.
This was the fun part. Started stacking those firebricks, using mortar to stick ’em together. It was kinda like playing with LEGOs, but way heavier and messier. I built up the walls, leaving a space for the grill grates, of course.
Once the walls were high enough, I placed the grill grates on top. They fit perfectly! I even added a little side area for a charcoal chimney. Gotta have that for easy fire starting.
I also experimented a bit with the charcoal. I tried out lump charcoal, it burns hotter and cleaner. Lump charcoal usually has some character of whatever kind of wood it was made from. Some like Wicked Good are very neutral and won’t compete with any smoke wood you’re adding.
Finishing Touches
After everything was set, I let the mortar cure for a few days. Then, it was time for the first test run. Fired it up, threw on some burgers and hot dogs. Man, they tasted amazing! There’s just something about cooking on a grill you built yourself. It’s satisfying, you know?
So, that’s my BBQ pit story. It wasn’t too hard, honestly. Just a bit of planning, some heavy lifting, and a lot of patience. Now, I’ve got the perfect spot for summer BBQs. If you’re thinking about building one, I say go for it! Just remember, firebricks are your friends. Trust me on that one.
