Okay, so I’ve always wanted a proper brick BBQ in my backyard. You know, the kind you see in movies, with a chimney and everything. I finally got around to building one, and let me tell you, it was a journey! Here’s how it went down.
Gathering Supplies
First things first, I needed to get all my stuff together. I made a list and it looked kinda like this:


- Bricks: Lots of ’em. I went for regular red bricks. They look good and don’t cost a fortune.
- Cement: This is what holds the bricks together. I got a few bags, just to be safe.
- Sand: You mix this with the cement to make mortar.
- Trowel: For spreading the mortar.
- Level: To make sure everything is, well, level.
- String and stakes: For marking out the area.
- Gravel: For the foundation.
- Metal Grate: You know, for cooking, and some other metal parts for the chimney.
Prepping the Area
Next up, I had to prepare the ground. I picked a spot in my backyard that was far enough from the house (safety first!), and I marked out a square using stakes and string. Then came the digging. I dug out the area about 6 inches deep to make a foundation. It was tough work, but I got it done. I poured a layer of gravel into the hole and made sure it was nice and level. This is super important, or your BBQ will be all wonky.
Laying the Foundation
With the gravel in place, I started mixing the cement and sand to make mortar. It’s like making a really thick, gritty paste. I spread a layer of this mortar on the gravel and started laying the first row of bricks. I used my level to make sure they were straight and even. This part took some time, but I wanted it to be perfect.
Building the Walls
Once the foundation was set, I started building up the walls. I kept laying bricks, row by row, spreading mortar in between each one. I staggered the bricks like you see in walls, so they’d be stronger. It was kinda like playing with giant LEGOs. I kept checking the level as I went, making small adjustments here and there.
Creating the Grill Area
When the walls were about waist-high, I started to create the area for the grill. I left a space in the middle where I could put in the metal grate. I also added some supports on the sides so the grate wouldn’t fall through. I made sure it was wide enough to fit a good amount of food.
Building the Chimney
Now for the chimney. This part was a bit tricky. I kept building up the walls, but I started narrowing them in as I went higher, to create a funnel shape. I added some metal parts inside to help with the structure and to guide the smoke upwards. It took some figuring out, but I finally got it to a shape I was happy with.
Finishing Touches
Once the structure was done, I let the mortar dry for a few days. This was the hardest part because I was so eager to try it out! After it was dry, I cleaned up any excess mortar and made sure everything looked good.


First Cookout!
Finally, the moment of truth! I put some charcoal in the grill, lit it up, and waited for it to get hot. Then I threw on some burgers and hot dogs. Let me tell you, they tasted amazing! There’s just something special about food cooked on a BBQ you built yourself. All my friends are really impressed, and some of them even ask me to help build one for them. It was a lot of work, but it was totally worth it. Now I have a sweet brick BBQ that’ll last for years. And you know what? I’m darn proud of it.