Today, I wanna talk about building a barbecue grill with bricks. I’ve been wanting to up my backyard grilling game for a while, and I figured a proper brick barbecue pit would be just the thing. Plus, I like getting my hands dirty with a good DIY project. So, I decided to give it a go and build one myself. Here’s how it all went down.
First off, I did some research online. Not a ton, just enough to get the basic idea. I looked up what kind of bricks to use and how to lay them out. Most folks seemed to agree that firebricks are the best for the inside because they can handle the heat. For the outside, regular bricks are fine. I also needed to figure out the mortar mix. A mix of 6 parts sand, 1 part cement, and 1 part lime seemed to be the way to go, with some mortar plasticizer mixed in with water. Sounded simple enough.
Next, I went to the local DIY store to grab all the materials. I got a bunch of firebricks and regular bricks, bags of sand, cement, and lime. I also picked up the mortar plasticizer and some basic tools like a trowel, a level, and a bucket for mixing. I already had a good spot picked out in the backyard—flat and away from anything that could catch fire.
With everything ready, I started by marking out the area for the grill. I decided on a 700mm x 400mm grill set, which seemed like a good size for my needs. I laid down a layer of gravel for drainage and then poured a concrete base. I let that set for a couple of days to make sure it was solid.
Once the base was ready, I started mixing the mortar. I followed the 6:1:1 ratio, adding the plasticizer to a bucket of water and mixing it all up. It was a bit of a workout, but I got it to a nice, smooth consistency. Then came the fun part—laying the bricks. I started with the outer walls, using regular bricks. I laid them out in a simple pattern, making sure to check the level every now and then. It wasn’t perfect, but it was starting to look like a barbecue.
After the outer walls were a few layers high, I started on the inner firebox with the firebricks. I took my time with these, making sure they were snug and secure. This is where the heat would be, so I wanted it to be solid. I built up the walls, leaving space for the grill grates and an opening at the bottom for airflow.
- Mixing the mortar: Getting the right consistency was key.
- Laying the bricks: Keeping them level and even took some patience.
- Building the firebox: Making sure it could handle the heat.
Once the main structure was done, I added a few finishing touches. I built a small chimney at the back to help with smoke and added some metal brackets to hold the grill grates. I let the whole thing cure for about a week, giving the mortar time to set properly.
The First Cookout
Finally, the day came to fire it up. I was a bit nervous, not gonna lie. I started a small fire to test it out, and it worked like a charm. The smoke went up the chimney, and the heat was nice and even. For the first real cookout, I did some slow-cooked brisket. It took all day, but man, was it worth it. The flavor was incredible, and everyone loved it.
Building the brick barbecue was a fun project. It took some time and effort, but it was totally worth it. Now I have a solid, good-looking grill in my backyard that’s perfect for all kinds of barbecue. If you’re thinking about doing something similar, I say go for it. Just take your time, do a bit of research, and don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty.
