Okay, so, I wanted to build a brick barbecue grill in my backyard. I mean, who doesn’t love a good barbecue, right? And having a permanent brick grill just seemed like the ultimate backyard upgrade.
First things first, I decided on a spot in my backyard. You want it far enough from the house for safety, but not so far that you’re running a marathon every time you need to check the food. Also, I made sure there were no overhanging branches or anything that could catch fire.
Materials and tools
Now, I’m not exactly a pro builder, but I figured, how hard could it be? So, I did some digging around the internet. Most websites said I’d need around 100 to 150 bricks. I thought, “Better to have more than not enough,” so I got about 150 bricks from the local hardware store. Also grabbed some high-heat resistant mortar, and a grilling set with a tray for coals and a couple of grills.
Construction process
I started by laying out the base. I just arranged the bricks in a rectangle to get an idea of the size. Once I was happy with that, I mixed up the mortar. It was a bit messy, but kind of fun, like making mud pies as a kid. Then, I started laying the bricks, one by one, with a layer of mortar in between. I kept checking with a spirit level to make sure everything was, well, level. Slowly but surely, the walls started to take shape. It was actually pretty satisfying seeing it come together.
After a few rows, I placed the coal tray supports. These were just some extra bricks turned sideways to create a ledge. Then, I continued building up the walls until it was the height I wanted. Lastly, I put the grill grates in place.
Final touches
Once the mortar was dry, which took a couple of days, I fired it up. I started with a small fire, just to test it out. Everything seemed to be working fine. The next day, I invited some friends over for the inaugural barbecue. We grilled up some burgers, some sausages, and it was awesome! The food tasted great, and everyone was impressed with my handiwork.
Building the grill was a bit of a challenge, but it was totally worth it. It’s not perfect, but it’s mine, and I built it with my own two hands. Now, every time I fire it up, I get a little sense of pride, along with some delicious barbecue. If you’re thinking about doing something similar, I’d say go for it! Just be prepared to get your hands dirty and have a lot of fun in the process.
