Okay, so, I’ve always wanted a decent grill, but those fancy ones in the stores? Way too expensive. So I thought, “Why not build one myself?” And what’s better than a good old-fashioned brick grill? It’s sturdy, looks cool, and it’s a fun project. So, I decided to roll up my sleeves and get to work.
First thing’s first, I needed to figure out the money side of things. I did some digging around, and it looked like a basic brick BBQ would set me back around $500 for materials. I didn’t want anything too crazy, just something simple and functional. So, that was my rough budget.
Next, I had to get the bricks. Now, I wasn’t sure if regular bricks would be okay for a grill, what with all the heat and all. Turns out, they are fine, but you gotta use special mortar. Not the usual stuff. I found this heat-resistant mortar, I remember it called high heat resistant mortar, and also someone recommended this other one, Vitcas Outdoor Pizza Oven Cement. It’s supposed to be super strong and can handle the heat no problem.
Now for the fun part – building! I started by laying out the bricks where I wanted the grill to be. It took some time to get it just right, making sure everything was level and square. Once I was happy with the layout, I started mixing the mortar. It was a bit messy, but hey, that’s part of the fun, right?
- Mix the mortar: Follow the instructions on the bag, get a good consistency.
- Lay the first course: Start at the corners, make it level.
- Build up the walls: Brick by brick, course by course, keep it steady.
- Add the grill supports: These will hold the cooking grates.
- Let it cure: Give it time to dry and harden, be patient!
I carefully laid each brick, one by one, spreading the mortar evenly. It was slow going, but I wanted to make sure it was done right. I took my time, checking the level and making adjustments as needed. After a few days of work, the walls started to take shape. It was actually starting to look like a grill!
I let the whole thing dry for a good while. You can’t rush these things, you know? Once it was solid, I added the metal grates for the cooking surface. And that was it! My very own, homemade brick grill.
The First Cookout
I was so excited to try it out. I invited some friends over, got some burgers and hot dogs, and fired up the grill. It worked like a charm! The heat was even, the food cooked perfectly, and everyone loved it. There’s just something special about food cooked on a grill you built yourself.
Building this brick grill was definitely a challenge, but it was totally worth it. It wasn’t just about having a new grill, it was about the process, the learning, and the satisfaction of creating something with my own two hands. Plus, I saved a ton of money! If you’re thinking about building your own grill, I say go for it! Just be prepared to put in some work, and don’t forget that special heat-resistant mortar.
