A question on the table

[Chuck in Charlotte]

I finally built a table for my LBGE. Got it up higher since I'm tall, made the work table collapsible since we don't have much room on the patio. It's a little over-built, but it sure is sturdy. But we need some help with a final detail. The base is stained, pressure-treated pine. The worktables are cypress, and removable since I know they'll get a lot of use. My wife and I have different color opinions. One of us thinks the contrast of the natural cypress looks better against the stained pine, the other thinks it would look better with the work tables the same color as the base. So, I'm trying a poll and we'll abide by the Pit's decision.
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Tonight's dinner, Peruvian chicken.

[treesmacker]

I think it looks just perfect the way in the pic!. Nice work, and what a terrific setup.

[Chuck in Charlotte]

Thanks very much, I'm liking the setup more with every cook.

[Red Man]

Looks great, but I think it’d look better if the colors matched.

[theroc]

Will the cypress darken with use and age?

[Chuck in Charlotte]

I don't think so, it's already got a clear outdoor finish.

[Steve B]

First off. Beautiful workmanship. 👊👊
I really like the contrast of colors and keeping the Cypress natural lets you use it as a cutting board if need be.
You can market that table. It that sweet.

[Chuck in Charlotte]

Thanks for the kind words, I don't plan on cutting on that surface, and I found out when I was in business for myself that I'm better at the production work than at the marketing part.

[Steve B]

I hear what you’re saying Chuck. I’m not a business kind of guy either.
But you do have some mad skills. 👊👍

[LA Pork Butt]

I think you will have difficulity getting the two different woods to match.

[Troutman]

I was going to say the same thing. You’ll never get a match staining different species of wood anyway and the cypress is so gorgeous!! Leave it alone I say !!!

[FireMan]

You ain’t sucking me in on this one, no sir. Cuz I’ll probubly vote with the "other" one & not you & you’ll be mad at me & stuff. You bein tall & everthing, well ther’ll be trouble.
Remarkable built table. Ya did mighty fine! 🕶

[Steve B]

He ain’t the only tall drink of water around here. 😂😳😬😜.
I know of a few others. 👍😁

[Chuck in Charlotte]

Neither of us have that much of an emotional investment. And me being taller than her doesn't seem to help me much either. Thanks, glad you like the table.

[Sweaty Paul]

That’s a beautiful table and certainly well designed. I’m sure many in The Pit who have BGEs love that table and would love to have one too. Well done.

[Sweaty Paul]

I favor unstained and two colors

[Chuck in Charlotte]

I had fun building it, thanks! It looks like the poll results favor leaving it unstained so I think that's what we'll do.

[Mr. Bones]

As a lifelong, an accomplished woodworker, Druidic by nature (ie, might jus have a Thing fer trees), my personal preference is to let each wood shine in its natchural state.

I never have stained oak to look like cherry, nor pine to look like walnut, etc., though I've sanded back through generations of such horseshite, to git back down to a beautiful, original wood finish.

[RonB]

I think stained would look better, but what do I know...

And you should at least oil if you decide to go unfinished.

[Chuck in Charlotte]

Thanks, it's already got a clear outdoor finish so I'm hoping it lasts at least a year or two of southern sun.

[JimLinebarger]

I noticed that you didn't state who's opinion was whose. There seems to be a reason why the Pit has an acronym of SWMBO. Since it will not affect the outcome of the cook, choose her color suggestion. Now, if it was about your car, then...some couches are comfortable.

[Troutman]

Yea good catch, that is VERY critical to the decision here 🧐

[HouseHomey]

Gorgeous!

[Chuck in Charlotte]

Thanks, I hope the food looks as good as the table.

[Thunder77]

It looks great as is. But I would stain it to match, only because over time, the wood is going to pick up stains and stuff, and it won't look as good. Nice job on the build!

[Chuck in Charlotte]

Thanks, yeah, it's only a matter of time before it gets stained "beef" color.

[IowaGirl]

My preference would be to make the entire piece similar in color -- or to use the lighter wood elsewhere on the work table to pull the overall look together.

But I also know this is an outdoor work table and nature will have a lot to say about the eventual look after a few years of use and exposure to sunlight, whether or not you stain the wood, so this issue may be moot after some time.

Another thought -- if you intend to cut food directly on the cypress, then don't stain -- just use a food-grade mineral oil.

[Troutman]

Gorgeous table regardless of the decision. Nicely done sir !!! 👍

[Chuck in Charlotte]

Thank you sir! I think I'll enjoy it very much.