Hey, folks! I’ve been wanting to build a brick BBQ grill in my backyard for a while now, and I finally did it! It was a fun project, and I thought I’d share my experience with y’all. I’m no expert, but I managed to pull it off, and if I can do it, you can too!
Planning
First things first, I had to figure out what I wanted. After some rough sketching, I decided on a simple design that would fit well in my yard. I made a rough drawing, nothing fancy, just enough to give me an idea of what I was aiming for.
Gathering Supplies
Next up was getting all the stuff I needed. I went with regular clay bricks, about 200 of them to be safe. You know, better safe than sorry, especially since I figured I’d mess up a few cuts. Oh, and for the mortar, I picked up some high heat resistant stuff, just to make sure it can take the heat.
Building the Base
I started by laying down a concrete slab for the base. I mixed the concrete myself, poured it, and then waited for what felt like forever for it to dry. Patience is key, folks!
Laying the Bricks
Once the base was solid, I started laying the bricks. I mixed the mortar, which was kind of like making a giant mud pie, and then got to work. I took my time with this, making sure each brick was level and the mortar joints were about 10mm. It was slow going, but pretty satisfying to see it taking shape.
Cutting Bricks
I had to cut some bricks to fit the design. This was a bit tricky, and I definitely broke a few before I got the hang of it. A good brick chisel and some patience are your best friends here. I cut some in half, some in three-quarter lengths, just like the plan.
Building Up
Layer by layer, the grill started to rise. I kept checking the level and making sure everything was aligned. It was like building with giant LEGOs, but way more rewarding. I left some gaps in the brickwork to hold the grill grates, which I thought was a pretty clever move.
Adding the Grates
Once the walls were up, I placed the grill grates in the gaps I had left. They fit perfectly, which was a huge relief. I also added a charcoal tray at the bottom, so I wouldn’t have to put the coals directly on the bricks.
Finishing Touches
After the main structure was done, I went over the whole thing and cleaned up any excess mortar. I wanted it to look nice and neat, you know? It’s all about those finishing touches.
First Cookout
Finally, the moment of truth! I let the mortar cure for a few days, then I fired it up for the first time. I grilled some burgers and hot dogs, and let me tell you, they tasted amazing. There’s just something special about food cooked on a grill you built yourself.
It cost me around $500 in total, which isn’t bad considering what I ended up with. It took some time and effort, but it was totally worth it. Now I’ve got a sweet brick BBQ grill in my backyard, and I can’t wait to have many more cookouts on it.
So, that’s my DIY brick BBQ grill story. It was a fun project, and I learned a lot along the way. If you’re thinking about building one yourself, I say go for it! Just be prepared to put in some work, and don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. Happy grilling, everyone!
