Hey everyone, it’s your boy back again with another one of my DIY projects. Today, we’re diving into something I’ve been wanting to do for ages – building a brick wood grill. You know, those setups that just scream outdoor cooking and good times? Yeah, that’s what we’re making.
So, first things first, I started by gathering all my materials. I mean, you can’t build anything without the right stuff, right? I hit up the local hardware store and grabbed a bunch of bricks, some mortar, and a few other bits and bobs. I also made sure I had all my tools ready – trowel, level, the whole nine yards.
Next up, I had to decide on the design. I’ve always liked the look of those combined grill and oven setups, so I sketched out a rough plan. It wasn’t anything fancy, just something that would look good in my backyard and be practical for cooking. Once I had the basic idea down, I started laying the foundation. I dug out a small area in my yard, filled it with gravel, and made sure everything was level. This is super important because you don’t want your grill to be all wonky, right?
Building the Base
With the foundation sorted, I began laying the bricks. I mixed up the mortar according to the instructions – not too wet, not too dry – and started building the base of the grill. I’m no bricklayer, but I took my time and made sure each brick was level and secure. It was a bit of a slow process, but I wanted to get it right.
Once the base was done, I started working on the walls. I decided to go for a simple rectangular design, with an opening at the front for the fire. As I built up the walls, I left spaces for the grill grates and the oven compartment. This part was a bit tricky, but I managed to figure it out by just eyeballing it and making adjustments as I went. You can use some kind of temporary supports to hold the bricks in place while the mortar dries, which helps a lot.
- Mixing the mortar just right is key.
- Laying each brick level keeps the structure sound.
- Using temporary supports can help a ton while the mortar sets.
Adding the Oven
Now, for the oven part, I wanted something that would give that awesome brick-oven flavor to pizzas and bread. So, I built a separate compartment next to the grill area, with a domed roof. I’ve seen a few videos online on how to do this, and it seemed doable. I used a mix of regular bricks and firebricks for the oven, because firebricks can handle higher temperatures. Building the dome was definitely the hardest part – I had to cut some bricks into wedges and fit them together carefully. It took a while, but I eventually got it to look pretty good.
Finishing Touches
After all the brickwork was done, I let the mortar cure for a few days. Then, I cleaned off any excess mortar and made sure everything looked tidy. I also added a few finishing touches, like a small chimney for the oven and a metal door for the grill opening. These little details really make a difference in the overall look and functionality.
Finally, the moment of truth – firing up the grill for the first time. I loaded up some wood and charcoal, lit it up, and waited for it to heat up. The first thing I cooked was some steaks, and let me tell you, they turned out amazing. The grill marks were perfect, and the flavor was just incredible. It’s that smoky, wood-fired taste that you just can’t get from a gas grill.
And the oven? Man, it’s a game-changer. I baked a pizza in there, and it came out with a crispy crust and that authentic brick-oven flavor. I was so stoked with how it all turned out. It was a lot of work, but totally worth it. There’s just something special about cooking with a grill and oven that you built yourself.
So yeah, that’s my brick wood grill project. It’s been a blast building it and even more fun using it. If you’re thinking about doing something like this, I say go for it. It’s a great way to enhance your outdoor space and take your cooking to the next level. Trust me, you won’t regret it. Catch you guys in the next one!
