OK, here is a blog post about my experience building a brick barbecue grill:
So, I decided to build a brick barbecue grill in my backyard. I mean, who doesn’t love the smoky flavor of grilled food? And let’s be honest, those store-bought grills just don’t cut it sometimes. Plus, it adds a cool feature to the yard, you know? It’s like a centerpiece, not just another piece of equipment cluttering up the space.
First off, I gathered all the stuff I needed. I went with regular bricks ’cause they’re tough and can handle the weather. But here’s the key: I used a special mortar that can handle high heat, not just regular mortar. There’s this brand, Sakrete, that makes a high heat resistant one. That’s the one you want. You can find firebricks, too, at building supply stores, usually two bucks each. Half firebricks are probably the best.
I started by laying out the base. I dug a shallow pit and filled it with some gravel for drainage. Then, I made a simple wooden frame to help shape the concrete foundation. Once the concrete was poured and set, I started laying the bricks. I’m not gonna lie, this part was a bit tricky. Getting those rows even takes some patience.
I built up the walls, leaving a space at the front for the firebox and another at the top for the grill. I used some metal rods to support the bricks over these openings. It’s important to make sure these supports are solid because they’re gonna hold a lot of weight.
- Step 1: Gather materials (bricks, heat-resistant mortar, gravel, wood for forms, metal rods).
- Step 2: Prepare the foundation (dig pit, add gravel, pour concrete with wooden form).
- Step 3: Lay the bricks, starting with the base and building up the walls.
- Step 4: Leave openings for the firebox and grill, using metal rods for support.
After the walls were up, I let the mortar dry for a few days. I mean, you don’t want this thing falling apart the first time you fire it up, right? I’m not sure if this step is necessary, but I’m going to do it just in case.
Once everything was dry, I built a small fire in the firebox to test it out. I gradually increased the heat to make sure the bricks and mortar could handle it. And, it worked! The grill heated up nicely, and there were no cracks or anything.
The Final Touch
I added a metal grill grate on top, and boom, I had a fully functional brick barbecue grill. The first thing I cooked on it was some burgers, and man, they tasted amazing. That smoky flavor from the bricks really makes a difference. A Masonry BBQ is the best alternative to a traditional outdoor grill, in my opinion.
Building this grill was definitely a challenge, but it was totally worth it. It’s not just a grill; it’s a piece of outdoor furniture that I built myself. Plus, I’ve saved a bunch of money compared to buying one of those fancy grills from the store. If you’re thinking about doing this yourself, I say go for it. Just make sure you use the right materials and take your time. It’s a fun project, and the results are delicious!
