Alright, folks, let’s talk about something near and dear to my heart – a good ol’ brick grill. Now, I ain’t no professional, but I love a good BBQ, and I’ve always wanted a sturdy, permanent grill in my backyard. So, I rolled up my sleeves and decided to build one myself.
Getting Started
First things first, I needed to figure out how many bricks I’d need. I figured about 100 to 150 bricks would do the trick, depending on how fancy I wanted to get with it. I also picked up a basic grilling set, complete with a coal tray and a couple of grates – one for cooking and maybe another for keeping things warm.
Planning it Out
I ain’t one for just winging it, so I sketched out a simple design. Nothing too complicated, just a solid, rectangular structure with enough space for the grill and some room to work. I also thought about the budget. I didn’t want to break the bank, but I also didn’t want to use cheap stuff that wouldn’t last. I figured I could do it for around $500, give or take.
Laying the Foundation
Before I started stacking bricks, I made sure I had a level base. I dug out a shallow area and filled it with gravel and sand, tamping it down real good to make a solid foundation. This is important, you don’t want your grill leaning like the Tower of Pisa!
Building it Up
Once the foundation was set, I started laying the bricks. I mixed up some mortar – just your basic cement, sand, and water mixture – and got to work. I laid each brick carefully, making sure it was level and tapping it into place with the handle of my trowel. I took my time, no need to rush this part.
Adding the Grill
As I built up the walls, I left spaces for the coal tray and grill grates. I made sure they fit snugly but could still be removed for cleaning. I also added a few extra bricks here and there to create a little shelf for my grilling tools.
Finishing Touches
Once the main structure was done, I let the mortar cure for a few days. Then, I went back and filled in any gaps and smoothed out the edges. I wanted it to look nice, not like some slapped-together mess.
Firing it Up
Finally, the moment of truth! I placed a few bricks at the bottom of the grill to create good airflow, put the charcoal grate on top and filled it with charcoal. I lit that baby up, waited for the coals to get nice and ashy, and threw on some burgers. Let me tell you, they tasted amazing! There’s just something special about cooking on a grill you built yourself.
Lessons Learned
Building a brick grill was a fun and rewarding project. It wasn’t always easy, but I learned a lot along the way. And now, I have a solid, permanent grill that’ll last for years. Plus, I get to brag to all my buddies that I built it myself! If you’re thinking about building one, I say go for it! Just take your time, do your research, and don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty.
- Enjoy the process!
- Be patient and methodical.
- Measure twice, cut once – or in this case, lay once!
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna go fire up the grill and cook up some more deliciousness. Happy grilling, everyone!