Okay, folks, let’s talk about my latest backyard project: a brick grill. I’ve always wanted one of those fancy outdoor kitchens, but, you know, money. So I thought, “Why not just build a simple brick grill myself?” Seemed like a good idea at the time.
Getting Started
First thing’s first, I had to figure out what I wanted this thing to look like. I browsed some pictures online, saw a bunch of cool designs, and just kinda winged it from there. No real plans, just a vague idea of a rectangular shape with a grill on top.
Gathering Supplies
Off to the hardware store I went. I picked up a bunch of bricks – the regular red kind, nothing fancy. I also grabbed some concrete mix, some wooden boards for a makeshift frame, and a metal grate for the actual grilling surface. Oh, and a trowel, because apparently, that’s what you use to spread mortar. Who knew?
Building the Base
- I started by digging a shallow pit where I wanted the grill to be.
- Then, I built a rough wooden frame to hold the shape of the base.
- Mixed up some concrete and poured it into the frame. This was messy. Really messy.
- I let the concrete set for a couple of days. It looked… well, it looked like concrete.
Laying Bricks
This is where things got interesting. I mixed up some mortar – which is basically just sticky sand, as far as I can tell – and started laying bricks around the concrete base. I tried to make them straight, I really did. But bricks are heavy, and mortar is slippery, and let’s just say my grill ended up with a bit of a “rustic” look.
Adding the Grill
Once the brick walls were high enough (about waist-high, give or take), I put the metal grate on top. It fit! Mostly. I had to use a few extra bricks to prop it up on one side, but hey, it worked.
The First Cookout
Finally, it was time to test it out. I threw some charcoal in the bottom, lit it up, and waited for the magic to happen. And you know what? It actually worked! I grilled some burgers and hot dogs, and they tasted… well, they tasted like they were cooked on a grill I built myself. Which is to say, pretty darn good.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it. My homemade brick grill. It’s not perfect, it’s a little wonky, but it’s mine. And honestly, I’m pretty proud of it. If I can build one, anyone can. Just be prepared for a bit of a mess, and maybe don’t expect it to look like the ones in the magazines. But hey, where’s the fun in that, right?
Next project I might try to make a patio around it. Stay tuned.
