So, I wanted to build a brick barbecue pit in my backyard. You know, the kind you see in those fancy outdoor cooking shows? Yeah, that’s the one. I’ve always loved the idea of having a permanent grill station right in my own backyard. No more hauling the old charcoal grill out of the shed every time I want to flip some burgers.
First things first, I needed a plan. I’m no architect, but I can sketch out a basic design. I measured out the space in my yard where I wanted the pit to go. It’s important to make sure you have enough room, not just for the pit itself, but also for a little workspace around it. You don’t want to be juggling hot dogs and spatulas with no elbow room.
Next up, materials. I hit up the local hardware store and loaded up on bricks. Regular old red bricks would do the trick. I also got some mortar mix. I had to borrow my brother’s pickup truck, we used it to bring all those bricks and mortar mix. I’m not gonna lie, it was a workout just loading and unloading all that stuff.
- Step one, dig a shallow pit. This is where the base of your barbecue will sit.
- Step two, start laying bricks. I’m not the best bricklayer, but hey, it’s my barbecue pit. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just make sure each brick is level and stable, slather on that mortar.
- Step three, build up the walls. Layer by layer, my pit started to take shape. I decided to go for a simple rectangular design, nothing too fancy.
After a few days of bricklaying, and a lot of sweat, my barbecue pit was standing. I’m pretty proud of it, even if it’s a little wonky in places. I built a metal grate to go on top, where the coals and food will go. For this I used some scrap metal my neighbor had lying around. I had to buy a special cover, I heard that it will help the pit last longer.
The First Cookout
Time for the inaugural cookout! I loaded up the pit with charcoal, got it nice and hot, and threw on some burgers and hot dogs. There’s something special about cooking on a grill you built yourself. The food tasted amazing, maybe it was just my imagination, but I swear it tasted better than usual.
Cleaning was a breeze, too. I just used a wet brick to scrub the grill surface. It worked like a charm, way easier than cleaning my old grill. All in all, building my own brick barbecue pit was a fun and rewarding project. If you’re thinking about it, I say go for it! Just be prepared to put in some elbow grease.
